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3.1 Consultation meetings took place in Aberdeen, Cumbernauld, Dumfries, Dundee, Edinburgh, Fort William, Galashiels, Glasgow, Inverness, Islay, Thurso, Ullapool and a video conference involving Benbecula, Lewis, Orkney and Shetland. There were between 4 and 200 people at each meeting with an average of 50. In general, people who attended were involved in the arts or heritage activities. The average age at most meetings was over 35. Three other meetings were included: one with young people in Glasgow, one with students and teachers for Edinburgh College of Art and one with representatives of cultural and ethnic minorities, convened in Glasgow.
3.2 Themes emerged common to all the meetings.
3.4 This could improve the understanding of culture within and outside Scotland and allow culture to play its part in a range of other government agendas including social inclusion, education, health and economic regeneration. It would be important that the Strategy should link with other planned or existing strategies within the government.
3.5 People were enthusiastic about the opportunity to raise the profile of culture within Scotland and to change attitudes.
3.6 There were problems encountered with the word ‘culture’. Not only was there not a common understanding of what it meant, but there was a general perception that it was associated with elitism and therefore created a barrier for many people.
3.7 Definitions of culture varied from one synonymous with the arts to a much broader and holistic definition. There were varying views as to whether or not sport should be included. Generally, people wanted the widest definition of culture to be adopted and were against a prescriptive definition. They also wanted it to be inclusive, encompassing all of Scotland’s communities including ethnic minorities, Gaelic and Scots speakers, young people, old people, people in rural communities and in the different communities within cities. Culture should be at the centre of people’s lives.
3.8 There were suggestions in several meetings that culture and access to culture should be a basic human right, enshrined in the form of an entitlement.
3.9 The process of achieving public subsidy was viewed as being too complicated and opaque and there was a frequently expressed view that it should be simplified and decisions made more transparent.
3.10 People wanted more funding decisions made at a local and community level and some wanted priorities changed. This was particularly the case for local and community groups who felt that there was a bias towards large, national and centralised organisations at their expense.
3.11 People and organisations sought stability in funding. They wanted core activities funded properly instead of a series of short-term projects which were perceived not to be sustainable.
3.12 They wanted to re-badge ‘subsidy’ in culture as ‘investment’ to reflect it more positively.
3.13 The role of local authorities in supporting culture was debated, with people complaining that their own local authority did not value cultural activity sufficiently. There was a request to clarify and strengthen the statutory requirements for local authorities to provide cultural activities and facilities.
3.14 All sorts of cultural activities were believed to have suffered since local authority reorganisation, and museums and art venues not to have recovered.
3.15 Culture in education emerged as the single biggest issue. At all the meetings, people complained about how culture is taught in schools. The lack of understanding and commitment to every aspect of Scottish culture was commented upon, including language, expressive arts, history, identity and heritage. More specifically, there were many criticisms of the restrictions of the curriculum and the lack of resources, in particular instrumental music tuition.
3.16 There was also debate as to how culture and education should be delivered - how much should be done in and by schools and how much out of school and by other specialists.
3.17 There was a desire to refresh the image of Scotland and Scottish culture which is portrayed, particularly to visitors. The current image was thought to stereotype Scotland as a tartan and shortbread culture. People thought that film and television offered real opportunities to improve Scotland’s image. The success of films like Braveheart in attracting tourists was cited.
3.18 People wanted an improvement in how Scotland and Scottish culture is promoted overseas.
3.19 People thought that encouraging individual creativity through active participation rather than passive spectating was important.
3.20 People considered that the Strategy should be concerned with ensuring that everyone has access to cultural activities and facilities.
3.21 Most meetings were concerned that there are many people in Scotland who are excluded from participation in cultural activities because of lack of confidence, money, transport, facilities or activities. This was highlighted not only at the meetings in cites but also in rural areas. It was a common aspiration that the Strategy should deal with this exclusion and there were various suggestions as to how this might be done including various development schemes, investment in infrastructure and education.
3.22 People expressed a belief that cultural activities could combat social exclusion and various examples from museums, arts and sports were given. The links with other government actions were therefore thought important.
3.23 People wanted the Strategy to recognise the importance of our traditional arts and to preserve and support their development. They expressed the opinion that the traditional arts have been largely neglected for a considerable time. For some, this was more important than supporting other things. Overall, people wanted the Strategy to achieve a balance between the traditional, classical and contemporary.
3.24 The Strategy was seen as an opportunity to improve support for artists. People thought that the status of artists should improve and that there should be mechanisms to keep them in Scotland through financial support, perhaps tax breaks.
3.25 Artists and craftspeople expressly wanted support in the business and commercial aspects of their work.
3.26 Everyone recognised the potential of new technologies. The Internet was mentioned often as a key communication tool, particularly by young people and those in rural communities. But it should not be a substitute for physical access.
3.27 Young people were not particularly evident at most meetings and this was often remarked upon with a view that young people should be consulted and that youth culture was important. The sports world was thought to be more successful at encouraging young people than arts and heritage.
3.28 The importance of the media was discussed, both as a vehicle for coverage of Scottish cultural activities and as an important communicator. Television and newspapers were mentioned, often in frustration because they were perceived not to contribute positively towards Scottish culture. Local and community radio was referred to positively as a vital tool in local communication.
3.29 The importance of both Gaelic and Scots in our culture was emphasised, more so in the Highlands and Islands. There was debate as to the respective priorities of these languages, particularly with regard to where resources are allocated and there was mention of other languages and dialects. Overall, people wanted the Strategy to recognise the validity and richness of the various languages.
3.30 At most of the meetings, some support was expressed for a national theatre.
3.31 Several of the meetings expressed a hope for better support of Scottish publishing and literature, including through its relationship with libraries. There was also an aspiration that the core library service would be better funded.
3.32 At many of the meetings, the hope was expressed that tax incentives could be introduced to support artists directly and to encourage investment by commercial organisations and private individuals.
3.33 There was a plea for recognition of this sector without which many cultural activities would not happen. It was an aspiration that the Strategy might reduce the reliance on volunteers in rural communities.
3.34 The feis movement was cited frequently as successful model involving young people and transferring skills. Equally, the danger of over-dependence on volunteers was emphasised.
3.35 People talked about other countries which were thought to be good models for Scotland. Ireland was mentioned most frequently as successful in promoting itself and its culture through, amongst other things, music and Guinness. Scandinavian countries were also thought to value culture more than the UK does.
3.36 All of the meetings in rural areas also focussed on the problems faced because of a lack of infrastructure. People complained about the national companies and expressed the view that these companies did not serve those in rural areas and outside the central belt. People in rural areas expressed a belief that grass roots, community and amateur activity is the backbone of cultural activity for them. Some were dissatisfied with the current funding situation which, they believed, largely ignores this activity.
3.37 In cities, people were enthusiastic about the potential of the Strategy to create a new confidence in culture and to show leadership. The opportunities for the social and economic regeneration of cities were believed to be more attainable under the aegis of a national cultural strategy.
3.38 Some particular issues arose at particular meetings:
3.39 In Aberdeen, people identified gaps in infrastructure. They had suggestions for making culture central to education and emphasised the importance of the amateur sector and the heritage local to the area, including Doric.
3.40 In Cumbernauld, the particular needs of people with special needs and learning difficulties were highlighted. It was hoped that the Strategy could create a situation where people with special needs were more involved in cultural activities.
3.41 This was a well-attended meeting. A major focus was on the importance of an understanding of our history and also the Scots language. There was an emphasis on our built and natural heritage and the applied arts.
3.42 The success of arts development work in the area was highlighted, supporting artists and promoting cultural activity according to local need.
3.43 Broadcasting was a particular issue here, sparked by the fact that the area is largely served by Northern Irish and English television.
3.44 People wanted the Strategy to take steps to stop important works of art being sold overseas.
3.45 There were two meetings in Dundee. People were keen to talk about the City’s success in using the arts in economic and social regeneration and their success in working in partnerships across the education, tourism and social sectors of the City.
3.46 There was also a call to provide better support for the rock and pop industry and also to fund better the library service.
3.47 All of the key themes were debated and there was an emphasis on the importance of new work.
3.48 This took place during the National Mod and began with a debate on the importance of Gaelic with a plea for the consolidation of funding for Gaelic.
3.49 It was hoped that the Strategy could make it possible for the Gaelic and traditional arts firstly to be preserved, then developed and their status and existence secured. Thereafter, there would be an opportunity for these arts to contribute towards the export of Scottish culture.
3.50 In Galashiels, the particular problems of rural populations were highlighted at the same time as the success of arts development work in the area. There was an emphasis on the importance of history and heritage and its role in education. There was a hope expressed that artists could be better assisted through business training and support, and that benefits could be gained from cultural tourism.
3.51 There was support for the Strategy leading change and placing culture at the centre of Scottish life. People were also concerned with the need to improve the export of Scottish culture and with internationalism.
3.52 This consultation included participants in Benbecula, Inverness, Lewis, Orkney and Shetland. It was emphasised that each area has its own rich cultural traditions and the importance of these and traditional arts in general was emphasised. In rural and isolated communities, cultural activities have a role to play in social and economic life.
3.53 People on the islands face barriers because of the lack of infrastructure and lack of availability of affordable transport.
3.54 Local ownership of important cultural artefacts was mentioned with a plea for the return of the Lewis Chessmen.
3.55 In the Highlands problems were cited arising from the lack of infrastructure in an area which differs from the rest of Scotland in its geography and economy. People felt particularly disadvantaged because of their remoteness from the central belt and felt that local initiatives and facilities were not funded as they should be.
3.56 There was a strong emphasis on the importance of the indigenous culture including arts and languages and in education.
3.57 The spiritual, religious and moral dimensions of culture were discussed at this meeting. The severe lack of resources for teaching all things cultural including Gaelic was emphasised.
3.58 People mentioned problems because of the lack of a cinema and performance venue; people felt that they did not have the same access as others.
3.59 Ullapool was one of the largest and liveliest meetings and included young people. Particular emphasis was placed on culture in community development and the success of the feis movement was suggested as a model to inform the Cultural Strategy.
3.60 A seminar for young people was held in Glasgow, with several sessions. Particular themes which emerged were:
3.61 Young people felt that they are not informed about events and facilities available to them. This is both in terms of factual information and becoming familiar with a new type of activity.
3.62 Young people considered that barriers to participation include transport availability and cost, price of tickets and hires, availability of venues and territorialism within communities.
3.63 Young people wanted access to resources with which they can engage in cultural activities. Often they do not have this access, with schools and community centres lacking in availability and facilities.
3.64 They emphasised the importance of youth and voluntary organisations, youth councils and parliaments for communication.
3.65 Young people wanted more access to Internet and new technologies. They would like a cultural strategy to include youth culture which includes computers, music, street culture and community arts – being actively involved in culture.
3.66 They considered that Scotland’s image is narrowly stereotyped.
3.67 A meeting with teachers and students highlighted the need to help artists and designers gain commercial skills, enhanced promotion in Scotland, the UK and internationally and establish links with industry.
3.68 A workshop was held in Glasgow with members of a range of culturally diverse communities. The main issues to arise were:
3.69 All Scotland’s cultures and languages should be included in the Strategy and in education.
3.70 The Strategy offers an opportunity to change funding priorities and create a transparent framework for support of facilities and activities.
3.71 Some cultural groups are currently effectively excluded from some cultural facilities and activities because their needs are not taken into account, for example, communal changing areas in sport facilities exclude some people on religious grounds.
3.72 People from minority cultures believe that the media neither includes nor accurately reflects them.
3.73 Religion should be included in the definition of culture and so should sport, festival, faiths and tradition.
3.74 There is a need for better communication systems.
3.75 There should be integrated and multi-cultural activities and facilities and also separate ones.
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