The Scottish Cultural Commission, which started work at the beginning of June, has received an immediate setback with the resignation of one of its members, composer Craig Armstrong, in protest at the treatment of Scottish Opera. He also complained that the Commission was being led by administrators, not artists. Armstrong was one of eight new members appointed to the Commission, which has been tasked with drawing up a blueprint arts strategy for Scotland by June 2005.
Commission Chairman, James Boyle, said ?I am sad about Craig Armstrong?s decision to resign from the board of the Culture Commission? I respect Craig?s views about Scottish Opera but that matter is not the province of this Commission. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reshape how the arts and culture are supported in Scotland and our artists, curators and screen workers will be central to how we go about it.? As the Commission begins its deliberations, Scottish Opera is in the process of implementing a swathe of redundancies and cost saving measures in order to comply with the stipulations of a rescue package agreed by the Scottish Executive and the Scottish Arts Council. Sandy Orr, Vice President of the board of Scottish Opera, resigned this week shortly after 35 members of the chorus were told they would be made redundant.
Published: 28-06-2004