Investment in artists, innovation and flexibility was unveiled on 17 April with the publication of the Scottish Arts Council’s spending plans for the coming year (April 2008 – March 2009).
Alongside a £6.2 million investment in awards, bursaries and commissions for artists, the Scottish Arts Council also confirmed £16.5 million in support for the ‘foundation’ of the country’s artistic community, including producers, promoters, festivals and national youth arts organisations, as well as organisations at the forefront of developing the arts.
Investment in innovation and flexibility will support 46 organisations for a further year at their present level, in addition to a further £4 million for a crafts commissioning agency, key performing arts promoters, venues and festivals, drama and dance touring and production fund, as well as the traditional arts.
The Scottish Arts Council will continue to prioritise four policy development areas: creative industries, international working, equalities and research which have been identified as the most important development areas covering all artforms.
New initiatives for 2008-09 include:
• Creative Apprenticeships
• Creative networks and development
• A Disability Development fund
• Increases in funding to Edinburgh Art Festival and Glasgow International festival for the visual arts
• Education development in arts organisations
• Creative development and recording
Jim Tough, Acting Chief Executive, Scottish Arts Council commented on the plan:
‘The Scottish Arts Council continues to improve and develop its relationships with the artists and organisations that remain our priority. We have focused our support on the artists whose creativity continues to inspire, challenge and entertain us and we are continuing with our work to introduce the flexibility to support artistic leadership and innovative ideas.’
We will continue our partnership with Missions, Models, Money to explore radically different concepts and ways in which the arts world can operate in order to become more sustainable.
This year, 2008-09, is also a year of transition towards a new organisation, Creative Scotland. The joint board of Scottish Arts Council and Scottish Screen will redeploy 2% of our Government grant towards the cost of transition and like other public sector organisations will in addition seek cash releasing efficiencies.