A year of integration and stability, while preparing for change, are the themes of the 2009/10 Scottish Arts Council business plan, which has today been published on the organisation’s website.
The Council - which serves the people of Scotland by fostering arts of the highest quality through investment, development, research and advocacy - will distribute a budget of over £60 million pounds during the current year.
Our priorities for 2009/10 are:
- increase the scope and quality of our support to artists
- secure the foundation of Scotland’s artistic development
- create flexibility to support the new and the innovative
- create opportunities for participation in the arts
- build a culture of co-operation with partners and the arts community
- make the transition to Creative Scotland.
Almost half of our investment budget is already committed to 111 organisations that provide innovative, excellent work throughout Scotland. This includes support to 34 organisations that are, for the first time, in receipt of two year’s flexible funding. This includes Indepen-dance, a Glasgow-based company which specialises in dance performance projects, predominately for adults with learning disabilities and their carers, and Ankur Arts, a pioneering company in black and minority ethnic arts in Scotland, working in professional theatre productions, music and literature events, alongside an extensive programme of community workshops.
Existing investment priorities, funding schemes and project support will be maintained through 2009/10. Subscribers to our ‘funding updates’ email ( www.scottisharts.org.uk/1/information/newsletters.aspx ) will continue to be notified of forthcoming deadlines, including new opportunities offered by our music department (see Notes to Editors no.3)
In the current economic climate, ensuring the stability and resilience of the sector is a fundamental role for the Scottish Arts Council and we will be assigning the remainder of our funds to that role. We are currently developing mechanisms to fulfil the sector’s need to adapt and respond to change during the coming period and we will announce those proposals following research into the sector’s experience of the changing financial climate. One part of that will be a new £800,000 fund, Amb:IT:ion Scotland, that aims to support proposals which address the skills, knowledge and infrastructure required for arts organisations to most effectively use digital technology in their business, operational and artistic activities. Full details will be available during July 2009.
Partnerships remain integral to the work of the Scottish Arts Council. Alongside existing productive relationships with local authorities, new partnerships include the Centre for Capitalising on Creativity at St Andrews University, which will work with partners in the arts sector to develop knowledge-transfer partnerships.
A further significant development is our contribution to ensuring opportunities for artists and the public to benefit and create a lasting legacy from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. Further announcements will follow in coming months.
Jim Tough, Chief Executive, Scottish Arts Council commented:
‘This year more than any before we will need to be counted on to support and nurture the artists and partners who actually deliver the goods. We have put in place a repertoire of activities that is intended to sustain the sector in troubled times and build resilience. As we move towards the opportunities offered by the establishment of Creative Scotland, inviting fresh approaches and new ways of working is part of that process.’
The Scottish Arts Council’s Business Plan 2009/10 can be found here: Business Plan 2009/10 .
Activities that will support our priorities during 2009/10 include:
1. increase the scope and quality of our support to artists
Support developments in choreographic practice, to establish a pathway through the profession and create an environment where choreographers are able to sustain a career in Scotland.
Working towards hosting the IETM conference – a international performing arts network – in Glasgow in 2010.
In recognition of the important dynamic that artist-led activity plays in the visual arts in Scotland, we have a programme of funding in place to support new and existing groups
2. secure the foundation of Scotland’s artistic development
Our LEARN fund will support the development of arts education work in arts organisations.
Our Equalities team will work with foundation organisations to develop plans for more integrated working with, for example, older people, people with disabilities, and the black and ethnic minority communities
Monitor and provide ongoing support to the Designing for Transition programme, run by Missions, Models, Money: ( www.missionmodelsmoney.org.uk/ )
3. create flexibility to support the new and the innovative
Support IC: Innovative Craft to develop shows for touring and intervene in non-conventional space to reach new audiences,
Assist publishers based outside of the UK with the costs of translating 20th century and contemporary Scottish writing,
Mentor writers and promote their work for the stage through the Playwrights’ Studio Scotland, as well as through the New Work Development fund,
4. create opportunities for participation in the arts
Support for a Gaelic Arts audience development co-ordinator at Proiseact nan Ealan.
Building on existing success, we will continue to support 13 Literature and Book Festivals
Establish a Traditional Dance project fund to foster participation in Scotland’s dance traditions.
5. build a culture of co-operation with partners and the arts community
Continue to invest in and develop Youth Music Initiative forums that draw together the expertise and experience of local youth music providers for the benefit of young people.
6. make the transition to Creative Scotland.
When established as a single body next year, Creative Scotland will build on the best of the Scottish Arts Council and Scottish Screen. It will seek to develop, deepen and deliver the best policies and initiatives of its predecessors using its increased resources, stronger remit and greater influence. The Joint Board of SAC and SS is ensuring ‘business as usual’ and continuity for the sector, while working closely with Creative Scotland 2009 on the necessary work for change.
Notes to editors
The Scottish Arts Council is a Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB) which was established by Royal Charter in 1994 and is also a Lottery distributor. The organisation serves the people of Scotland by fostering arts of excellence through investment, development, research and advocacy. Our corporate aims are: to support artists to fulfil their creative and business potential; to increase participation in the arts; and to place the arts, culture and creativity at the heart of learning. We invest £60m each year, including £15 million of National Lottery funding.
In parallel with other public bodies, the Scottish Arts Council has been asked by Scottish Government to redirect 2% in efficiency savings directly to the frontline of artistic provision.
Our music department has restructured its funding, introducing new funds including:
an open International Showcasing Fund to allow us to support a wider range of musicians to showcase at an increased number of international showcases
an open Jazz Development Fund
Creating New Music – a new three tiered fund to support the creation and presentation of new music projects
a revised Recording fund;
Education & Outreach Funds – typical awards increased to £5,000 to help stimulate this key area.