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Culture under the spotlight
15/02/2009
Minister for Culture Michael Russell, is to meet with around 100 invited representatives of Scotland's artistic and creative communities on Wednesday (February 18, 2009).
The meeting, to be held in Edinburgh's Traverse Theatre, will give Scottish artists the chance to share their views on current issues. It will also allow Mr Russell (who took on the role of Culture Minister this week) to outline his initial thoughts on his priorities for the sector.
Mr Russell said:
"I have sought this early meeting in order to hear at first hand what Scotland's artists and arts administrators want to say about our joint way forward on cultural matters.
"My starting point is that I'm committed to the long term success of Scotland's artists and to the widest opportunities for participation and access. The arts in Scotland are at the very heart of our national wellbeing and our national progress. They are also vital to our economy.
"I'm genuinely excited to have been asked to take on this portfolio and I am very grateful to Linda Fabiani who has left the matter in such good shape. She made very solid progress towards the conclusion of the long running debate on the proper structures for those public funds which are devoted to this vital task. Now the whole cultural community can finish that task and focus on the real issues of creativity, expression, experimentation and involvement."