Phil Cunningham is the final appointee to the board of Creative Scotland 2009 Ltd. He will be a non-executive director for the company that is completing work to merge the Scottish Arts Council and Scottish Screen into Creative Scotland - the new single national development body for arts and culture.
Minister for Culture Michael Russell said:
"I welcome the appointment of Phil Cunningham, a highly respected musician, to the board of Creative Scotland 2009 Ltd. A world-renowned accordionist and promoter of traditional music worldwide, Phil Cunningham adds to the wealth of artistic experience on the board. I very much look forward to working with him.
"The Scottish Government is committed to supporting creators, giving access to creations, and involving everyone in creativity. I have been very clear that Creative Scotland must be a product of our cultural and artistic communities and we must have the right organisational structure to do that. I believe the board, chaired by Ewan Brown and including artists and creators currently involved in Scottish arts and culture, will firmly put creativity at the heart of everything it does."
Chair of Creative Scotland 2009 Ltd Ewan Brown welcomed Phil Cunningham to the company's board. He said:
"Phil Cunningham is a major musical and creative talent in Scotland. As a practitioner, his experience is truly impressive and valuable, and I am delighted to welcome him to the Board at this important time, as we take forward the transition to the establishment of Creative Scotland as a champion of all the arts and creative industries."
Non Executive Director - biography
Phil Cunningham, MBE is a Grammy-winning multi-instrumentalist, composer, broadcaster and musical director. An innovative musician, and best known as an accordionist, he was a member of the influential bands Silly Wizard and Relativity. He joined Aly Bain on television show Aly Bain and Friends, a partnership that endures to this day. He is also involved in producing and collaborating with many world-renowned artists. With his music being heard on major British and American television shows and films, Phil Cunningham is a great ambassador for traditional Scottish music worldwide. In 2008, he took up the position of Artistic Director of the traditional music course at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (RSAMD), and his academic honours include an honorary Doctorate of Music from the RSAMD, an honorary Doctorate from Stirling University and an honorary Degree from Glasgow Caledonian University.
Creative Scotland 2009 Ltd is the company, chaired by Ewan Brown, that will complete the work on transition, bringing together the Scottish Arts Council and Scottish Screen to form Creative Scotland the statutory NDPB. Richard Holloway, Chris Masters, Peter Cabrelli, Sheena McDonald and Phil Cunningham have all been appointed as non-executive directors.
Creative Scotland 2009 Ltd has taken responsibility for all the practical implementation arrangements to establish Creative Scotland, including staffing, systems and processes. The Board meets on a monthly basis.
Creative Scotland the statutory NDPB is expected to be formally established in 2010 and will:
Encourage and sustain artists and creators of all kinds
Ensure that their work is accessible to all
Ensure that as many people as possible can participate in creative activities
Extend and increase the wider benefits of arts and culture, including their contribution to the promotion and development of our unique national culture and its wider place in the international sphere
The arrangements for establishing Creative Scotland as a statutory NDPB is undergoing further Parliamentary scrutiny through the Public Services Reform Bill (published May 29, 2009), enshrining the arms' length principle in legislation.
The existing Joint Board of the Scottish Arts Council and Scottish Screen is focused on ensuring "business as usual" for the sector.