« Previous | Contents | Next »
Listen
Access To Languages
| The Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 established Bòrd na Gàidhlig with statutory responsibility for Gaelic and for the preparation of a national Gaelic language plan, which will be a strategy for Gaelic in Scotland. |
The Cultural Commission recommended that a representative body for the indigenous languages of Scotland should be created and that a national indigenous language strategy could be a responsibility of the proposed new body. Unfortunately the Commission did not take adequate account of the 2005 Act. It will be for Bòrd na Gàidhlig to help create a sustainable future for the Gaelic language in Scotland. There is, in addition, a number of small bodies which seek to promote and support the Scots language. We will discuss with these bodies the next steps in the promotion and development of the Scots language.
The Scottish Executive has made good progress with its Partnership commitments to the Gaelic language, resulting in the successful passage of the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 through the Scottish Parliament, the establishment of Bòrd na Gàidhlig and the ongoing support for the development of Gaelic medium education at all levels. These measures have all been supported with funding and have the aim of creating a sustainable future for the Gaelic language in ScotlandThe Executive's Partnership Agreement of 2003 announced there would be a National Languages Strategy to celebrate and promote the rich diversity of languages spoken in Scotland, including Gaelic and Scots. The National Strategy, which is currently under development, will be able to guide strategies prepared locally, and by national bodies, to ensure this rich and growing heritage is identified as a national resource. It will consider current provision for both heritage and community languages, and how best to meet our obligations for their development in the light of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages.
As mentioned, we intend that the new cultural infrastructure will seek to offer opportunities for enhancing the role of Scottish literature and publishing; and this is a specific task for the new cultural development body, Creative Scotland. The Scottish Arts Council at present has responsibility for literature and publishing in Scotland through its Literature Department. That Department works with a range of literary and publishing organisations and offers support to initiatives in this sector. The focus on literature and publishing is welcome. There are many small groups that operate in this area and they would benefit from increased recognition. The national role to promote literature and publishing should encompass both Gaelic and Scots projects (for example, Itchy Coo or Ur Sgeul). Ministers will be looking to see an increased role for Scottish publishing and literature, in its distinctive forms, promoted through the new infrastructure. Scotland has an excellent literary tradition and the present surge of world-class contemporary writing deserves help to maximise its profile.
Many bodies act as national resources already in this area, such as the Scottish Book Trust, Scottish Poetry Library, the Scottish Storytelling Centre, the Scottish Publishers' Association, and a number of Gaelic and Scots projects. They will be well placed to assist in the promotion of literature and publishing, and links into schools. Scotland's literary heritage receives world-wide acclaim, but more should be done to ensure our young people are able to enjoy it. Opportunities for everyone to develop their awareness of Scottish writing will be exploited in 2009, which the Executive has designated Scotland's Year of Homecoming, to include a national celebration of the 250th anniversary of Robert Burns's birth.
Model of the New Cultural Infrastructure
| Scottish Cultural Development Agency | National Collections of Scotland | Scottish National Performing Arts Companies |
|---|
National | "Creative Scotland" (an amalgamation of the Scottish Arts Council - except national company funding - and Scottish Screen - except the Archive | National Collections include National Galleries of Scotland/National Museums of Scotland/National Library of Scotland/Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland/ the Scottish Screen Archive/ National Archives of Scotland (with arrangements for common delivery of functions such as: estates strategy, payroll, administration, education, and touring) | Scottish Opera/Scottish Ballet/ Royal Scottish National Orchestra/ Scottish Chamber Orchestra/ National Theatre of Scotland/Youth companies (supported by a cultural common services function) |
|---|
To support and develop creative talent and excellence in all artforms, linking the steps in the 'escalator'; developing national standards and guidance; supporting the creative industries; running schemes to recognise talent; promoting access and touring; acting as Arts Lottery distributor | To conserve and display the National Collections to maximum advantage and with extended access, and to maintain accessible estates To develop national standards for these sectors, in consultation, and to contribute to developing entitlements Scope in principle for other truly 'national' collections to be added | To deliver national and international excellence in the performing arts - as the best in Scotland, and to inspire an 'escalator' of talent To contribute to the development of standards and entitlements Entry criteria: best quality performances, touring, management, regular review Scope for others to join |
LINK ZONE Connection between national and local levels | Consulting on national standards and guidance Offering advice on pilots to develop entitlements as element of cultural/Community Planning: local authority pilots testing different approaches in different areas, including The Highland Council's Cultural Pledge | New funding mechanism to deliver: - national and international status and recognition
- outreach, education and touring of items in the Collections
Consulting on national standards | New pathway model through education to top flight performance. Building on current Creative Links', Cultural Co-ordinators' and Active Schools Co-ordinators' activity and working closely with further and higher education Outreach, education and touring activity |
|---|
LOCAL | Local authorities responsible for local premises, facilities, and events New funding sources, delivered through: cultural planning, local entitlements, quality assurance and collaboration incentivised by the Executive | Local authorities, universities and other bodies to look after their own collections and provide premises accommodating 'works on tour' Delivered through: cultural planning, local entitlements, quality assurance and collaboration incentivised by the Executive | Local authorities and other local operators responsible for their premises, performing/touring venues, local activity and access. Delivered through: cultural planning, local entitlements, quality assurance and collaboration incentivised by the Executive |
|---|
« Previous | Contents | Next »