The Scottish Government

1. We live in a Scotland that is the most attractive place for doing business in Europe

• A place becomes more attractive to international partners and new talent when it has a thriving creative sector, and can provide a high quality cultural infrastructure and diverse recreation and participation opportunities.

2. We realise our full economic potential with more and better employment opportunities for our people

• The creative industries already are an important economic sector; with help, they have potential to grow. The creative sector provides a rich infrastructure for learning and skills development.
• Evidence shows that culture can play a key role as part of the economic drawing power which is central to the transformation of an area.
• Cultural tourism generates significant benefits for Scotland's economy.
• Gaelic has the potential to contribute to the economy in certain rural and island communities, creating jobs and retaining skills in areas such as broadcasting, education, translation, arts and heritage.

3. We are better educated, more skilled and more successful, renowned for our research and innovation

• A cultural education can help young and older people alike to achieve their potential and maximise their creativity.
• Cultural facilities, and the experience of creating and participating, support and enrich the curriculum in both formal and informal learning.
• The cultural and creative infrastructure can provide the foundation for innovation and research.

4. Our young people are successful learners, confident individuals, effective contributors and responsible citizens

• Cultural and creativity activity can help young people to increase their confidence and levels of aspiration, learn key life skills and literacies, improve or create social networks, access routes into further education and work, and develop awareness and understanding of other people's issues.
• Education in a range of subjects, such as science and maths, delivered through the medium of the arts, can assist learning while teaching new artistic skills.

5. Our children have the best start in life and are ready to succeed

• Early access to new and diverse experiences and activities such as art, story-telling and music can support young people's creative, social and emotional development for success in later life.
• Museums, archives and heritage organisations can support learning outcomes by increasing knowledge of national culture and history.

6. We live longer, healthier lives

• Participation in culture and the arts can help to reduce the incidence of health-related problems affecting modern society.
• Recreational activity such as culture helps keep the body and brain active.
• Scientific research has shown that integration of visual and performing arts into healthcare can induce significant differences in clinical outcomes, such as improving recovery and reducing anxiety and drug consumption.
• Art activity and therapy can also help promote positive mental health and well-being, and increase self-confidence amongst those vulnerable to mental health problems.

7. We have tackled the significant inequalities in Scottish society

• Cultural programmes and services can advance the drive to tackle inequalities, social isolation and exclusion.
• The commitment to widen cultural participation can open up a range of opportunities for some of the most socially and economically excluded people.
• Increasing access to the cultural activities of minority groups can enhance their sense of pride while boosting understanding and appreciation in the wider community.

8. We have improved the life chances for children, young people and families at risk

• Creative activity has been shown to add quality to people's lives, and help boost their general sense of well-being.
• Widening cultural participation for vulnerable young families can provide them with access to a range of opportunities, including access to learning and transferable skills, which can contribute to confidence, and enhanced feelings of self-worth.
• Volunteering in the arts and other cultural activities can help create and strengthen social networks.

9. We live our lives safe from crime, disorder and danger

• Cultural activities targeted at people at risk can provide diversionary activities and make a positive impact on the incidence of crime and anti-social behaviour.
• Community arts projects to improve neighbourhood spaces can increase social cohesion and reduce the likelihood of vandalism. A well-designed built environment can impact favourably on public perceptions of safety and security.
• Cultural activity and learning build self-esteem, can help people to articulate anxieties and aspirations, and promote dialogue and understanding across the generations.

10. We live in well-designed, sustainable places where we are able to access the amenities and services we need

• Iconic, visionary buildings and civic spaces using high quality design and aesthetic appeal can increase land and property values, create jobs, attract, motivate, inspire and retain staff and users, enhance student performance, and improve clinical outcomes.
• Cultural infrastructure and multi-purpose buildings providing shared services can help to create a strong community focus.

11. We have strong, resilient and supportive communities where people take responsibility for their own actions and how they affect others

• There is clear quantitative and qualitative evidence of the positive transformational impact of cultural and creativity activity on individuals, and communities of interest and place.
• Culture in community-focused projects, including regeneration, can contribute to local pride, a sense of empowerment and greater commitment to the local area.
• Culture can provide a platform for consulting and debating local issues.

12. We value and enjoy our built and natural environment and protect it and enhance it for future generations

• Our cultural, design and creative community can help achieve individual and community aspirations for built heritage and new development. They can also articulate powerfully the beauty, intrinsic qualities and vulnerability of the natural heritage.
• Cultural programmes can help interpret, develop understanding, and inform the use of the built and natural heritage.
• Preservation of heritage sites contributes to community life, recreation and visitor enjoyment.

13. We take pride in a strong, fair and inclusive national identity

• Scotland's national identity is rooted in a passion for creativity, new ideas, cultural icons, and our unique Gaelic and Scots heritage.
• Our aspirations for citizens' prosperity and success should be based on a new, inclusive sense of cultural identity, that supports confidence, ambition and pride.
• Cultural activity can add to a local community's positive reputation, and contribute to positive perceptions of the nation as a whole.

14. We reduce the local and global environmental impact of our consumption and production

• The culture sector is highly aware of environmental issues, and can assist the search for innovative responses to building design and service provision that promote sustainability and reduce harmful impacts.
• The creative community commands innovative and effective means to foster awareness and responsible attitudes to the environment.

15. Our public services are high quality, continually improving, efficient and responsive to local people's needs

• Cultural provision and infrastructure is part of existing local authority services and the drive for Best Value. High quality should be promoted, continually seeking to improve its impact on communities, and taking account of local aspirations and needs.
• Cultural activity can also help other sectors and services deliver in ways more closely matched to people's wishes, and can assist in engaging citizens with civic life.