Scotland moves towards a new era as Holyrood scrutinises development plans
The establishment of Creative Scotland, the replacement body for the Scottish Arts Council (SAC) and Screen Scotland, moved a step closer as the Transition Team gave evidence at Holyrood Palace before the Education, Lifelong Learning and Culture Committee (ELLCC) on 30 April. However, the Transition Team was criticised by the ELLCC for failing to provide sufficient financial information to allow the Committee to assess the budget and timeline for the implementation of Creative Scotland.
Other concerns expressed by the Committee included the positioning of Creative Scotland in relation to other national bodies, in particular Scottish Enterprise. There is still some uncertainty over whether the organisation will become ‘the lead body for the digital, media and creative industries’, giving it a stronger role in business development for the country. Further evidence was due to be presented to the Finance Committee later the same day as part of the overall scrutiny by the Scottish Parliament. Michelle Jordan, Head of Communica-tions for the Transition Team, told AP that “Creative Scotland can’t happen until the Scottish Parliament passes the legislation to create it”, adding that this could be much later this year, perhaps in the autumn. [[There is still some uncertainty over wheather it will become 'the lead body for the digital, media and creative industries']]
The recently published SAC 2008/09 investment plan shows that the Joint Board of SAC and Screen Scotland will redeploy 2% of its Government grant (£930,000) towards the cost of the transition. The SAC’s plans also include support totalling £63m for “artists, innovation and flexibility”. £16.5m will be available for the “foundation of Scotland’s artistic community”, defined as “including producers, promoters, festivals and national youth arts organisations, as well as organisations at the forefront of developing the arts”. £6.2m will be invested in awards, bursaries and commissions for artists and new initiatives to support the creative industries, disabled people and education.
Forty-six arts organisations which are currently defined as Foundation Organisations will continue to receive their present level of support (totalling £6m) under the ‘innovation and flexibility’ programme. This also includes £4m for a crafts commissioning agency, performing arts promoters, venues and festivals, a touring and production fund for drama and dance, and the traditional arts. SAC has agreed support for Flexible Organisations, which are funded on a project basis, including a commitment to a maximum of £6.9m for the period 2009–2011.
Continuing to pursue its four policy development areas of the creative industries, international working, equalities and research, SAC has announced six new initiatives. £50,000 will be allocated to the Creative Apprenticeships scheme, which pre-dated the Creative Britain initiative announced in March (see AP165). £100,000 will be made available for creative networks and development; £96,000 for a Disability Development fund; £300,000 for education development in arts organisations and £150,000 for creative development and recording. The Edinburgh Art Festival and Glasgow International Festival for the visual arts will each receive increased funding (£16,000 and £25,000 respectively). SAC has also acknowledged a reduction in National Lottery funding from £15.2m in 2008/09 to £12.7m in 2009/10, and will make a reduction of £200,000 within this year’s business plan to accommodate a contribution to the Olympic 2012 budget.