Creative Scotland – Ambitious for Scotland
27/06/2008
The Joint Board met on 26 June 2008 - the first time since the Creative Scotland Bill fell at the Scottish Parliament 18 June 2008.
While the failure of the Bill to progress was disappointing for the Joint Board, staff of Scottish Arts Council and Scottish Screen, as well as the sectors they support, the delay provides an opportunity for even greater engagement with the process and the chance to really think about how we can work together to create an organisation of which we can all be proud.
At its meeting, the Joint Board made a clear and unified commitment to moving forward positively with the work required to create a new organisation that has clarity of purpose, relevant expertise and the resources required to fulfil its remit.
Scotland has a marvellous opportunity to take a true leadership position - creating an organisation unlike any other in the world – one that is focussed, vibrant and able to address the needs and challenges of the arts, screen and creative sectors. I believe that this is an opportunity we should all seize using our talent and expertise to re-energise the way that Scotland encourages and supports creativity in all its forms.
We have made considerable progress in what have been challenging and, at times, frustrating, circumstances and the Joint Board, Creative Scotland Directorate and everyone at SAC and SS – are pulling together and working towards a single ambition. We owe this to ourselves and to you in the sectors we serve. We are re-doubling our efforts to communicate with, listen to and engage with partners and stakeholders. The Joint Board has stated that it views communication as a major priority for the next stage in the development of Creative Scotland. It also made its commitment clear in the presence of Culture Minister Linda Fabiani and her senior Government colleagues. The Minister, I can report, made a clear commitment to bring the Bill back to Parliament as soon as possible after the recess and Government is working to make this happen.
In addition, she highlighted that since Parliament unanimously supported the principle of Creative Scotland, Government is determined to bring the new organisation into being as soon as possible.
In order to enable this the Minister is clear that she expects preparation of the Creative Scotland Plan to continue swiftly, this work is progressing over the summer to support the re-introduction of a Bill.
There are areas which can be clarified further such as the role of Creative Scotland in the creative industries and the organisation’s financial resourcing. These matters will be clarified before the Bill is reintroduced, working with partners, for example, in the Creative Industries Forum. The Creative Scotland Innovation Fund, and the £5m of new money that supports it, will form part of the development of the new organisation.
Government stated that status quo is not an option - Creative Scotland is an integral part of the Government’s wider strategy for streamlining and simplifying the public landscape in Scotland.
These commitments are important as they enable everyone at SAC and SS to proceed with confidence in shaping an organisation capable of leading and supporting the creative and artistic sectors in the 21st Century.
Richard Holloway
Chair
27 June 2008
Contact email(s)
michelle.jordan@transition.creativescotland.org.uk
Issued by: Scottish Arts Council
|