This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Cultural Strategy delivers - Minister
28/11/2003
The third annual report of the National Cultural
Strategy and a pilot Cultural Portal project were launched
today.
Culture Minister Frank McAveety praised the progress
being made in promoting a strong and vibrant cultural
identity for Scotland.
Mr McAveety said:
"This annual report on the Strategy 'Creating Our
Future...Minding Our Past' celebrates excellent progress
across many key areas of Scotland's cultural life, building
on the achievements of the past two years and highlighting
new initiatives.
"The Strategy committed us to widen opportunities for
cultural access and to establish a national portal which
will be one-stop shop with information and links presenting
Scotland's culture.
"Looking through the report I find tremendous highlights
such as the re-opening of the Royal Scottish Academy after
the first stage of its £30 million transformation; the
announcement of £17.5 million for music tuition in schools;
the decision to have a National Theatre; and the splendid
showcase of Scotland's living cultural traditions at the
Smithsonian Festival in Washington DC.
"Activity right across the country features in the
report, involving hosts of talented and energetic
individuals, groups and agencies, who understand the
transforming power of culture to improve the quality of
life."
The pilot Portal will develop in time to provide
access to over 30 million resources for users in Scotland
and world-wide.
Mr McAveety said:
"The Portal is an exciting initiative which will
increase access to the treasures held in Scotland's
museums, libraries, archives and those held by other
cultural organisations.
"At present it's a pilot, we are asking people to try it
out and tell us what they think and what they would like it
to contain as the resource develops."
The Cultural Portal is
www.scotlandsculture.org
and has been produced by
the Scottish Libraries and Information Council (SLIC)
on behalf of the Scottish Executive.