Scottish Government

Implementation of the National Cultural Strategy: Draft Guidance for Scottish Local Authorities

Part 2. The importance of cultural activity

Defining culture

2.1.1 The National Cultural Strategy defines culture in the following way:

"Scotland's culture is dynamic and diverse. It has developed and been shaped over many years by the experiences of Scotland's inhabitants and their contacts with others. Culture is notoriously difficult to define. Creating Our Future: Minding Our Past has been guided by a broad definition, in line with that adopted in 1982 by the UNESCO World Conference on Cultural Policies.

'In its widest sense, culture may now be said to be the whole complex of distinctive spiritual, material, intellectual and emotional features that characterise a society or group. It includes not only the arts and letters, but also modes of life, the fundamental rights of the human beings, value systems, traditions and beliefs.'

This strategy therefore takes a broad view of Scotland's culture. It includes ideas, customs and traditions, beliefs, habits of thinking, religions, languages, identities, mythologies and histories, and the expression of these in myriad forms such as poetry and prose, visual arts, music, song, theatre, comedy, dance, architecture, design, costume, film, photography and a range of crafts. It is represented in the natural and historical landscape; archaeology; buildings; museum, gallery and library collections; archives and records; and shared experiences. It includes aspects of lifestyle, such as sport and leisure. We can participate in Scotland's culture almost anywhere: in museums, theatres, schools, colleges, streets, galleries, libraries, churches, cinemas, sports grounds, workplaces, local halls, pubs, and in our homes. Not only have new technologies dramatically widened global access to Scotland's culture, but they have also widened our understanding of what that culture is."

(Creating Our Future . . . Minding Our Past, p 4)

Recognising of the importance of culture

2.2.1 Culture is important to national well-being. This was confirmed in the Scottish Executive's "Programme for Government" policy statement. It was in this context that the National Cultural Strategy was prepared by the Executive, following extensive consultation, and published in August 2000. In turn, it links to other policies and strategies, including:

• the policy aims and objectives of local bodies including local authorities

• other national culture-related strategies, for example -

  • the Executive's architecture policy

  • the national strategy for sport, "Sport 21", developed by sportscotland

  • the 'clusters strategy' for digital media developed by Scottish Enterprise.

2.2.2 The Scottish Executive reported to the Scottish Parliament on progress in implementing the National Cultural Strategy, in October 2001. That first annual report can be viewed on: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/nationalculturalstrategy/

2.2.3 Local government itself recognises the importance of cultural provision, and this document contains illustrations of good practices in this area.

Creating access

2.3.1 It is important that all who wish it, have access to cultural provision. In general, 'access' means being able to enjoy a service as a user. However, 'access' has two important distinguishable meanings - opportunities to be a spectator or consumer (e.g. reading, attending a sports event), and opportunities to be a participant (e.g. creative writing, playing a sport).

2.3.2 Access is a fundamental issue, relating closely to issues of social inclusion and social justice. However, it also relates to issues such as rurality, transport, the role of education, 'equality' issues (including compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act and Race Relations Act), volunteering and active citizenship.

2.3.3 Facilitating and widening access is not a role which is unique to local authorities, nor is it unique to culture, but there are particular issues relating to access and involvement in culture which authorities need to consider. While this role is not a new one, at the time of writing it is being strengthened in the cultural field (and other fields) through two important mechanisms - community planning and Best Value. The Local Government in Scotland Bill creates new duties to achieve Best Value and a new power to "promote and improve well-being". The cultural activities provided by authorities can make an important contribution to promoting and improving the well-being of communities; and this potential should be developed to the full.

NB: Physical access to facilities is discussed at para 3.5.

Conclusion

2.4.1 Overall, culture is not only important in its own right, but is also an important means of achieving both national and local policy goals (e.g. those for social justice). Local authorities should do as much as possible to give communities and individuals access to the benefits and opportunities of cultural provision.