Scottish Cultural Commission wants government to commit £100 million towards arts |
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Published
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Sat, 25 Jun 2005 11:05
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The Cultural Commission of Scotland has urged administrators to commit 1 percent of the country's budget toward developing the way culture is organized and paid for in that country.
The commission was set up to look into the future of arts in the country and also to outline methods to improve the existing infrastructure. The commission also mooted the creation of two culture-oriented bodies, Culture Scotland, which would make policy, and the Culture Fund, which would hold the purse strings. It added that the arts sphere would be boosted if the executive committed around £100 million a year towards its development.
By any standards, it is a huge report, containing 284 pages and 124 recommendations. Among other proposals, the commission wanted extra cash for Scottish theatres and Edinburgh's festivals, tax breaks for hard-up artists, proposed national standards for architecture and vouchers for schoolchildren to go to theatres, films or galleries.
James Boyle, the commission chairman, said, "We should celebrate our current successes but take steps to encourage more of our fellow citizens to share Scotland's cultural life. If we succeed, we will change the face of our nation. The commission believes these recommendations are a route map to achieving this."
The commission has also called for the creation of the post of a new deputy minister for the tourism, culture and sport portfolio. It feels that this would encourage more dedication than just a minister of culture. Mr. Boyle said that the commission wanted to pave the way for a Culture bill by 2007. He added, "In some areas Scotland is a global player - in literature, computer gaming, screen-acting and with one of the great international festivals of the world. However we need new structures, increased investment, better use of current resources and, fundamentally, new thinking."
The report has received a cautious response with Culture Minister Patricia Ferguson saying, "I am determined that our priority will be to spend money on the arts, rather than on unnecessary bureaucracy. Over the coming months we shall consider in detail the broad range of issues and recommendations outlined by the commission and after the summer recess, we shall have a parliamentary debate on the way forward for Scotland's culture." The Scottish National Party culture spokesman Michael Matheson said, "The executive must now study the details of this report, seize on the opportunity it represents and show clear leadership in laying out a strategy for cultural development that recognizes the rich and diverse talent Scotland offers."
Mr. Boyle has openly challenged Jack McConnell, the First Minister, to respond to the report by St Andrew's Day, on 30 November.
Reference:
www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Arts-Culture
www.scotlandsculture.org
www.scottishmuseums.org.uk
www.visitscotland.com
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