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Our Approach
| The decision to undertake a cultural review was announced in the Scottish Executive's Partnership Agreement of 2003. Quinquennial reviews of the Scottish Arts Council and Scottish Screen had identified a lack of strategic, coherent delivery of culture. It was also clear that several of the delivery bodies were set up some years back, pre-devolution, for a different age and different priorities. |
The First Minister declared in his 2003 speech, to a positive response, that raised levels of ambition were needed for these cultural assets to exert their maximum power to change lives. Accordingly, he announced that the promised review was on its way, and to be based on a radically new approach to cultural provision. In April 2004, a Cultural Commission was established, with a bold remit to review the cultural sector and make recommendations to Ministers.
The Commission was asked specifically to explore the notion of cultural rights for the Scottish citizen, and those of its creative community; and to redefine the institutional infrastructure and governance of Scotland's cultural sector, so that it would be equipped to help accomplish the Executive's long-term vision for the sector.
The Commission took seriously Ministers' encouragement to adopt a highly inclusive approach to its consultations. Comments and suggestions flooded in over the next year from all parts of the country, and beyond, and representing every branch of cultural endeavour.
On 23 June 2005, the Commission delivered its report to Ministers. The Executive welcomed its completion, and the prospect of examining the 131 recommendations to see how they could help to realise our ambitions. The Scottish Parliament was given an opportunity to discuss its views on the report at a debate on 22 September. It was clear that Members endorsed the Government's wish to reduce bureaucracy in the cultural sector, and several looked to see service providers from other sectors investing to deliver their respective objectives through culture.
The Executive has now considered Parliament's comments carefully. It has also reflected on subsequent discussions with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and national cultural agencies. This document contains the outcome of those deliberations. After setting out the Executive's future vision for culture and the direction of its cultural policy, the paper outlines Ministers' views of the role of Government in delivering that vision, along with new initiatives that the Executive will back to achieve its goals. An explanation is provided of the organisational infrastructure model proposed by Ministers; and finally, the paper defines the next steps towards implementation and the timescales envisaged. Our response to each individual recommendation by the Cultural Commission will be published on the Scottish Executive website in due course.
The cultural policy landscape is broad, covering both 'reserved' and 'devolved' issues. This formal response by the Scottish Executive deals with matters that are the responsibility of Government in Scotland - at national and local levels. In view of the wide range of material in the Commission's report, it will provide a resource for policymakers for years to come. It is easy to be up-beat about Scotland's creative achievements. But the arts and culture are far too important for complacency, while there is more to be done to promote their central role, right across the policy agenda.
The need for change to deliver improvement is clear. The Cultural Commission rightly identified that Scotland has a confusing cultural infrastructure; there is a lack of clarity in funding responsibilities, leading to inconsistent levels of commitment by key stakeholders; and frequent financial crises at major arts organisations; there is no clear pathway to success for talented young people; and limited sharing of 'national' provision across Scotland.
We need to turn those things around - and create the conditions that make the nation's cultural riches as accessible as possible to as many people as possible.
People who do engage with culture do so because they are stimulated, entertained and challenged by it. One of the most important things about cultural activity is simply that it is enjoyable and the opportunities it unlocks are quite unique.
Why does the Scottish Government invest in culture - is it necessary, or simply good to do so? As the Government of a civilised and progressive society, it is imperative that we invest, building on our past record and proven commitment to advance the development of Scotland's cultural life. The Executive currently dedicates 1% of its total budget to culture - £187 million in the current financial year. This figure increases significantly when local authority revenue and capital cultural spend, in excess of £200 million, is included, of which around 80% is provided by central Government. 2
By 2007-08, the Executive's annual cultural spend was due to increase to £214 million. But in order to implement the decisions laid out in this paper, Scottish Ministers have pledged an immediate additional £20 million per annum from 2007-08 - an increase of almost 10% in the Executive's annual cultural budget. This will produce a total annual spend of £234 million from 2007-08. In addition to this, there will be continued expenditure on culture by local authorities, of a similar order. Scottish Executive Departments also contribute over £200 million per year to cultural objectives.
There are many views across the cultural sector and from the ranks of external commentators about what the Scottish Government should buy through its investment. The Commission made a large number of suggestions which could progress culture's influence and development in Scotland. It is important to be clear first, however, about national government's strategic role in relation to culture.
The Executive has decided that the proper functions of Government are: to ensure that cultural talent in Scotland is recognised and nurtured, and that excellence is developed as a national resource; to promote the best of Scotland's rich cultural treasure-store; and to make the best of the nation's performing activity available to be accessed right across the country. Having considered the host of suggestions elicited by the Commission from a large field of stakeholders, as reflected in its report, the Executive has chosen to focus its investment initiatives that will make the biggest contribution to national priorities.
Others also have investment choices. Government is just one player - where our responsibilities stop, other cultural providers must play their part. As the First Minister's 2003 St Andrew's Day speech made very clear, other service providers need to commit too, in order for culture to support their wider objectives. Since 2003, the Scottish Cabinet has responded with a programme to bring culture's beneficial impact to the range of Government actions, such as - supporting regeneration; promoting health; providing transport; boosting enterprise; enabling development; advancing justice and, of course, enriching education.
The Executive's £750k per year Cultural Co-ordinators in Schools programme, administered by the Scottish Arts Council, explores ways to maximise the contribution of culture, providing experiences and developing skills that are of lasting value to young peopleWhile the Commission's report said most about education's links with culture, the contribution by all portfolios to culture will be developed further in light of the cultural review. Local cultural planning is advocated increasingly as an effective way to maximise culture's contribution to wider priorities - and its impact for Scotland's citizens, in virtually every important aspect of their lives. For example, it will be mentioned explicitly in the Executive's forthcoming Regeneration Policy Statement, which will promote the key part played by culture in creating vibrant communities, and driving and enlivening economic and social regeneration. Such approaches enable cultural resources to be integrated into policy making and new developments.
All those with a role in the provision of culture need to work together - across the public, private and voluntary sectors. There will be a need to increase the commitment of these sectors to partnership working and joined-up delivery. Equally, the Scottish Government cannot, and should not, extend its ambit to areas best served by others, whose expertise and knowledge is better suited to the task.
2. The latest published local authority statistics, for 2003-04, show relevant total investment of £226 million.
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