A simplified structure and a commitment to “invest, take risks and make connections where other organisations cannot” has been proposed in Creative Scotland’s (CS) new business model, which sets out the structure and aims of the new body. The number of people to be employed by CS under these plans is 113, including a staff of 97, the existing 13-strong external funding teams of Scottish Arts Council (SAC) and Scottish Screen (SS), and three international development staff. This compares with the total of 146 staff in SAC and SS currently. CS Chair Ewan Brown said that “there will be no compulsory redundancies”. The model lays emphasis on the organisation being unique, asserting that it “should not duplicate other organisations’ remits”. This addresses concerns previously expressed about the clarity of the new organisation’s role in relation to Enterprise Scotland (AP169). There is also heavy stress laid on the organisation having a role in representing Scotland in international relations, a task largely within the remit of a communications department of nine. A new chief executive will be recruited shortly, and will be supported by three creative development directors, a director of communications and a director of finance and operations. A team of 14 portfolio managers will hold senior roles with special expertise in artforms, geographical or policy areas, some of which may be temporary (such as the 2012 Olympics). A team of 30 development officers will be “available to work on any project in any artform or policy area”. Two portfolio managers and four development officers will be deployed in CS’s new function to support the creative industries. As well as promoting and developing the arts and creative industries, the new body should build partnerships with other organisations and stakeholders, particularly local government, and should be “skilled at influencing” Government, local government and other partners. Minister for Culture Michael Russell welcomed the progress made on the business model, and said the structure was well suited to “providing strong, responsive support for the sector”.
