| Allan Wilson:
I hope that
the following words by Tolstoy will prove a fitting way to open this debate
on a motion which, I believe, should command approval and unite members
across the chamber:
"All art has
this characteristic—it unites people".
I am delighted
to announce the publication of our first report on the implementation of
the national cultural strategy. The strategy, launched in August 2000,
covers a wide-ranging agenda and provides a comprehensive framework of
action to underpin the development of Scotland's cultural life over the
four years following its publication.
The strategy
was driven by the Executive's vision of a vigorous and diverse cultural
life for Scotland as a country that is confident in its identity, keenly
aware and proud of its heritage and eager to see its cultural life develop
and flourish in the 21st century.
As the motion
shows, we have three key purposes in calling this debate. First, we are
launching the report, which fulfils the commitment in the strategy to tell
Parliament annually about progress towards its implementation. Secondly,
we want to give members the opportunity to discuss their aspirations for
further action to drive the agenda on to its next stage. The third important
reason for having the debate is to acknowledge and congratulate success
and to exhort people to greater effort.
I was delighted
to assume responsibility for this portfolio and I acknowledge the hard
work, enthusiasm and commitment of my predecessor, Rhona Brankin. I remain
enthused by the challenges and opportunities that the strategy presents
for Scotland's present and future cultural development. I hope to convey
that enthusiasm today, tomorrow and hereafter.
It is also critical
that I acknowledge the long list of partners who have a key role to play
in making our shared hopes for Scottish culture a reality. The report mentions
a host of agencies, individuals and organisations that have contributed.
Although much has been done, there is still more to do. The report describes
action at the strategic level, but we should never forget that underpinning
that action is the colossal contribution of countless artists, performers,
writers, curators and many others who provide the work that inspires us
and adds greatly to our quality of life.
The Scottish
arts scene continues to deliver shining examples of success, such as the
triumph of "Gagarin Way" at this year's Edinburgh international festival;
world-leading exhibitions at our national galleries, including "Rembrandt's
Women" and the exhibition of our own Scottish colourists; "Daddy's Girl",
which picked up the top short film prize at Cannes; and Scottish Opera's
highly acclaimed Ring cycle. We thank all those who are responsible for
showing us what can result when they
"ascend
the brightest heaven of
invention".
We are rightly
proud of Scotland's traditional culture. I am gratified that the excellent
traditional music and tourism initiative that was launched by visit Scotland
and the Scottish Arts Council has, since 1998, successfully promoted traditional
music to our visitors, making their experience of Scotland so much richer.
We have a vision
for how our national cultural strategy can make a real difference to people's
lives. Its four strategic objectives challenge us all. They are to promote
creativity; to celebrate Scotland's cultural heritage; to realise culture's
potential contribution to enhancing people's quality of life; and to assure
an effective national support framework for culture. Those important challenges
embrace activity of many kinds, from the exhilaration of the world stage
to an exciting and life-enhancing range of local community initiatives.
So what has
been achieved since August 2000? Today's report lists achievements right
across the cultural agenda, of which I shall mention just a few. There
was a record increase in the resources allocated to the arts and sport
in last November's spending review. That means that, for example, in April,
National Museums of Scotland was able to abolish entrance charges to the
main national collections. The increase also gave valuable support to the
drive to encourage excellence in the traditional arts and to support and
attract major events to Scotland. Additional funding is being provided
for a £3 million strategic change fund for non-national museums.
With the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, we have set up a joint
working group to consider how local authorities can best strengthen their
contribution to the strategy, and we have provided £250,000 for an
audit of the collections and services in our museums and galleries. I was
pleased to launch the audit last April and I can announce that the Scottish
Museums Council is publishing an interim report today.
There is much
more that I could mention, such as the setting-up of the new literature
forum for writers and publishers; the Scottish Museums Council's guidelines
for promoting social justice, which encourage the sector to promote active
citizenship, lifelong learning and social inclusion; and the welcome boost—by
a further £1 million—in our support this year for Gaelic education
and broadcasting.
I am also delighted
to announce that I have secured additional resources of £3.5 million
from the overall under spend in the Executive, which is to be allocated
to a range of priority needs across all areas of my portfolio—the arts,
sports and heritage. Those additional resources, which are for this year
only, will ensure that sport Scotland can increase its programme of necessary
repair and maintenance work at the three national sports centres; will
provide some relief against income lost by properties that are managed
by Historic Scotland as a result of foot-and-mouth disease; and will ensure
that we are better placed to respond to the needs of local museums and
galleries and to undertake new work in key areas of the arts that are of
central importance to the themes of the cultural strategy and social inclusion.
So, what are
we focusing on in year two? I shall identify the Executive's special priorities
for the next stages. We have a priority to celebrate excellence—the excellence
of our home-grown cultural products—and we can be justly proud of the best
that we have to offer from Scotland's traditional and continuing cultural
output. That is why we are developing a programme of events to celebrate
the outstanding and enduring legacy of Robert Burns and his place in Scottish
and world culture.
David Mundell
(South of Scotland) (Con): The minister's
commendable commitment to Burns, which he has taken as far a field as Atlanta,
is most welcome. Does he agree that, within the arts establishment—the
so-called luvvies—there is an unwillingness to embrace Burns and give him
his proper place in Scottish culture? What will the minister do to ensure
that that place is assured in Scotland as well as out with Scotland?
Allan Wilson:
I pay tribute to the member's record of commitment
to the cause of the promotion of Robert Burns. It gratifies me to say that,
since I made my announcement, I have come across no one who has in any
way tried to talk down the importance of Burns as a cultural icon or of
exploiting his international renown for economic development and tourism.
I hope to promote those elements in the months and years ahead as we allocate
additional resources to the planned programme of events.
Glasgow's flair
for realising the cultural and social benefits of its time as European
city of culture in 1990 is widely considered as a glowing example and other
European cities have sought to emulate it. The Executive applauds the new
confidence and determination that have inspired Highland Council, Highlands
and Islands Enterprise, the local enterprise network and their partners
to seek to develop a Highland bid for designation as European capital of
culture in 2008. We are pleased to offer the partnership our support towards
the costs of preparing the bid, to the extent of £50,000, both this
year and next. In mounting its bid, I am sure that the local partnership
will seek to reflect the rich diversity of Highland culture and will engage
the widest possible range of local and national organisations and agencies
as contributors.
We have a priority
to advance social justice across Scotland—that is a key priority of the
Administration. I want local arts and sporting initiatives to meet local
needs and to assist local employment. Matthew Arnold said:
"The men of
culture are the true apostles of equality."
Those men—and
women—are uniquely equipped to assist in the regeneration of our local
communities.
We also have
a priority to promote our creative industries, to boost future economic
prosperity and to extend lifelong learning. Scotland has a wealth of talented
people and it is critical to the strategy to combine those creative attributes
with enterprise skills. As Brecht said in "The Caucasian Chalk Circle":
"Mixing one's
wines may be a mistake, but old and new wisdom mix admirably."
Our review of
Scottish Screen will seek ways in which to maximise the contribution of
the creative industries and we must ensure that key agencies such as Scottish
Enterprise and the Scottish Arts Council work together to make that happen.
The more culturally
astute members will have recognised that my speech so far has been liberally
littered with literary references.
Mr Kenneth Gibson
(Glasgow) (SNP): Say that again.
Allan Wilson:
That is easy for you to say.
I am delighted
to announce today that we will provide funding this year to develop a writers
factory. This exciting new writing initiative takes its inspiration from
the golden age that we are currently experiencing in Scotland, with writers
from Ian Rankin to John Burnside and from Douglas Dunn to Ian Pattison,
by way of Liz Lochead. Scottish literature has a fine pedigree, rooted
in our wonderful story-telling tradition. The principles of that tradition
will be taken forward with the versatility required in this post-modern
age. The project will be initiated by the Scottish Arts Council and will
involve Scottish theatre, broadcasters, the universities and the Royal
Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. I am sure that Parliament will welcome
that announcement.
We are committed
to developing a cultural co-ordinators initiative in Scottish schools.
"Beauty surrounds
us,
but usually
we need to be walking
in a garden
to know it".
Those words,
from "Story Water" by the Islamic poet Rumi, remind us that we need exposure
to beauty and art. Education systems fail our young people if they fail
to acquaint them with those delights, which also introduce our children
to new cultures and combat ignorance and prejudice.
We want more
people to experience the full richness and variety of Scottish culture
and it gives me particular pleasure to announce that we will fund the development
of two initiatives to contribute to social inclusion in the arts. Aspects
that have impressed me greatly are the encouragement of public art in disadvantaged
areas and audience development initiatives that find innovative ways of
bringing people into contact with the arts. Examples are seen in the work
of organisations such as Art in Partnership and the Audience Business.
We want to discuss with the Scottish Arts Council putting further work
in the hands of those organisations. I am certain also that public access
to cultural experience will be promoted to greater effect by the Centre
for Contemporary Arts in Glasgow's Sauchiehall Street. The CCA re-opens
today following an £11 million investment.
The joint implementation
group, which is under my leadership, will drive future action on the national
cultural strategy, including the implementation of the projects for which
I have announced additional funding today. The group's approach will be
highly inclusive. I expect its core membership to engage, consult and involve
other organisations and practitioner bodies whose role will be important
in implementing our shared goals.
Michael Russell
(South of Scotland) (SNP): Will the minister
give way?
Allan Wilson:
I am sorry; I am concluding.
I am proud of
what has been accomplished this year. This time next year, I expect to
report progress in all the priority areas that I have mentioned.
I move,
That the Parliament
welcomes the first report on the implementation of the National Cultural
Strategy; notes the progress that has been made in the key priorities of
the strategy and the actions that are proposed for further implementation;
recognises the vital contribution of many agencies, individuals and bodies
to ensuring that Scotland's cultural life matches the aspirations of all
Scotland's people; believes in particular that culture has a vital role
to play in delivering social justice throughout Scotland, in our schools,
in lifelong learning and in the further development of our tourism industry,
and therefore urges all relevant agencies, individuals and bodies to work
effectively together in partnership to ensure that the potential of Scotland's
cultural life is fully realised at home and proudly promoted abroad, further
encouraging the continuing pursuit and celebration of excellence and the
widening of opportunities to participate in the development of Scotland's
cultural life.
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