Culture Minister Linda Fabiani today confirmed the membership of the Traditional Arts Working Group, which she announced at the Hands up for Trad awards in December.
The Group will be convened by David Francis, founder member of the Traditional Music Forum. Today the five other members of the Group were announced - Fiona Dalgetty, Stuart Eydmann, Mary-Ann Kennedy, Ruth Kirkpatrick and Mats Melin.
The Group is tasked with considering the future support arrangements for Scotland's traditional arts, and will make recommendations to the Scottish Government later this year.
Culture Minister Linda Fabiani said:
"I recognise the uniqueness of our traditional arts, and believe it is essential that this is recognised and celebrated. Traditional arts have a role in Scotland's culture, heritage, economy, education and community life, and the Scottish Government wants to ensure they are properly supported.
"David Francis is a respected and independent figure in the traditional arts community. Under his chairmanship this knowledgable and experienced group is well placed to make recommendations for the optimum future support arrangements for traditional arts.
"I am grateful to those who have volunteered their time to be part of the group. With such passion for the traditional arts, I am sure they will work hard to secure a successful future for the sector."
David Francis said:
"I look forward to working with the group and am confident that with the help of the traditional arts community throughout Scotland, we can work towards a support structure for the traditional arts which properly reflects their status and importance to cultural life in this country."
A proposed remit for the group is currently being considered by David Francis and it will be discussed at the inaugural meeting on February 26. The remit will ensure a focus on areas such as traditional song, music, dance, poetry, storytelling and drama.
Positions in the working group are part-time and are not remunerated. Scottish Government officials and the Scottish Arts Council will provide a secretariat for the group from within current resources.
The announcement that David Francis would convene the the Traditional Arts Working Group was made by Ms Fabiani at the 'Hands Up for Trad' Traditional Music Awards in Glasgow on December 6, 2009.