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The Vision
| Scotland's culture sits at the very heart of the nation's life and identity. The country has an enviable reputation reaching far beyond its shores for innovation, skill, and as an authentic source of inspiration. It is essential that these attributes - in their full 21st-century diversity - should be celebrated and cherished. |
Since devolution, a new focus on Scotland's cultural life has seen an amazing host of achievements - world-class architecture and exhibition spaces; new festivals springing up across the country; record audience numbers at major events; lots of community-based activity in all artforms. These have been made possible by Scottish Government's record investment levels, and a new drive to bring culture into a diverse range of sites and scenarios, all of which benefit from it. Today, there are many more opportunities for the people of Scotland to make culture part of their lives.
The Scottish Government believes that culture is a vital ingredient in Scotland's success, both here and overseas. Culture is also central to the well-being of Scotland's citizens. Its inspirational qualities defy measurement - just as there is no adequate way to define the confidence and pride that culture's myriad works stir up in those who participate and in those who look on in admiration. Government recognises the imperative of freedom of expression. Artistic activity can challenge authority and can carry uncomfortable messages. Creativity is seldom diffident, and the independent conviction found in much of Scotland's art happily contradicts the lack of confidence to which Scots can be disposed.
Individuals with talent, who nurture the ambition to develop their cultural skill to the point of excellence, deserve our wholehearted backing. Individuals whose wish it is to access and enjoy the work and skill of Scotland's creative community must have every chance to do so. While our indigenous artforms should be celebrated and helped to attain the peak of achievement in each tradition and artform, the excellence we cherish must also represent the vast diversity of culture produced and showcased in Scotland. That way we demonstrate to all residents of Scotland, and to the world community, how warmly we welcome and value the rich heritage of each nation.
Culture is a resource available to all. How and if to be involved must remain matters of personal choice, and the fact that personal views vary considerably regarding what is good art must also be respected. 1
The Playfair project, refurbishing the Royal Scottish Academy in Edinburgh, was completed in August 2004, funded to the tune of £10 million by the Executive, £7 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund, and £13 million from private donors - a truly international-class exhibition spaceRespect for the wide range of responses to cultural activity and decisions about choice are self-evident facts which inhabited the landscape within which the Cultural Commission was asked to consider what role a cultural 'rights' agenda could play in drawing people into the world of culture. The Commission's study was based on the premise that each person in Scotland has rights of access to high quality cultural activity. The right to choose from options that can be provided locally and nationally is paramount; but if marketing, education and interpretation are not present too, the rate of 'take up' is likely to be impaired.
The First Minister, Jack McConnell, chose to make his 2003 St Andrew's Day speech on the subject of "Cultural Policy in Devolved Scotland", putting on record that culture was one of Scotland's principal assets and a source of immense delight and pride. The First Minister identified the need for a new focus, to place culture at the heart of Scotland's policy making agenda. Culture cuts across all portfolios of Government, it can make a difference to the success of each, and portfolio Ministers have committed to using arts and culture to achieve their policy objectives more effectively. This recognises their role and responsibility to help strengthen, support, and in some cases provide for, Scotland's cultural activity.
"Vivid, powerful and about time! " "Personally, I'd like to ignore everything this exhibition represents - but I can't. So I suppose it's worked then." "Beautiful in the worst of situations. The honesty and reflections on such a hard to believe subject touch me deeply." "Thought provoking - which is all that should ever be asked." |
1. Quotes from the "Elbowroom" visitors' book. "Elbowroom" was an award winning project in the engage Scotland Visual Arts Education Awards 2005 - "Creativity and Well-being". Working through strong community connections, experienced artists and committed participants gave expressive shape to shared and personal issues, negotiating strong, instinctive responses to a big public issue -violence against women
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