With less than three weeks to go until the Scottish Independence Referendum, debate rages over how a government of an independent Scotland might chose to execute its potential new found autonomy. However, there are of course areas of policymaking over which the Scottish Government has had power over since devolution - cultural policy being one of them. So as thoughts inevitably turn to the future, it is also worth looking back and considering how a devolved Scottish Government has made use of the powers it already has.
This month sees the publication of a special edition of the journal, Cultural Trends, which does just that. The journal offers five pieces of new research and two commentaries on the topic of Scottish cultural policy. These collectively consider what has been achieved, what has been sidelined and what still remains to be done. Including contributions from academics, consultants and those working in the sector, this special edition offers perspectives on the role of both popular and traditional music in cultural policy, the impact of museums on the shaping of national identity and reflections on both the consultations and conflicts that have surrounded the development of cultural policy in Scotland. Including a personal commentary from Janet Archer, CEO of Creative Scotland, this publication offers a timely reflection that will be of interest to academics and those working in cultural organisations both in Scotland and beyond.