A Bill to establish Creative Scotland, the new body to support Scottish arts and culture, has been introduced to the Scottish Parliament. The Bill outlines the remit of the new organisation, namely promoting understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of the arts and culture; identifying, supporting and developing talent and excellence; realising the value and benefits of arts and culture; and supporting “the application of creative skills to the development of products and processes”.
It will be grant-funded by the Scottish Government, and will itself be a grant funder, though no details are available yet as to the levels of funding involved. All Scottish Arts Council staff will be transferred directly into the employment of Creative Scotland. Culture Minister, Linda Fabiani, described the Creative Scotland Bill as “a significant step towards the amalgamation of the Scottish Arts Council and Scottish Screen”, and reinforced the arm’s length principle that underpins it, “…Creative Scotland and artists themselves will have the freedom and power to determine their own creative direction – a firm sign from this Government that we will not interfere in artistic decisions.”