The Scottish Arts Council (SAC) has unveiled its plans for responding to the needs of Scotland's minority ethnic communities and improving their position both as performers and within the wider artistic community.
SAC?s five-year Cultural Diversity Strategy has been developed following the findings of research completed in 2001 by the Scottish Ethnic Minorities Research Unit and Edinburgh College of Art. The research showed that many members of minority ethnic communities in Scotland believed that they command insufficient attention in artistic programming or initiatives to encourage attendance. Few of the communities consulted felt that there were any opportunities for employment within arts organisations or as practitioners. The new Strategy is aimed at developing opportunities for minority ethnic artists by funding selected organisations and projects, supporting the work of Edinburgh and Glasgow City Councils, and encouraging mainstream organisations to broaden their employment and programming policies. It aims to reflect African, Asian, Chinese and Caribbean communities, as well as refugees, travellers and asylum seekers, but it does not relate to the Gaelic or Scots population, whose needs are addressed under a separate strategy.
Published: 29-07-2002