Key Principles
| Apart from the Executive, the other major delivery sector for culture in Scotland is, of course, the local authorities. The contribution they make to cultural provision within their areas is vital and cannot be overstated. Published statistics3show that, in 2003-04, local authorities across Scotland invested £226 million in the arts, heritage/museums/ galleries, libraries, archives, and community recreation. However, the current arrangements that determine what cultural provision authorities support and what falls to the Executive and its agencies, are inconsistent and patchy. While there have been impressive achievements, a far more strategic understanding of 'who does what' would help to focus purpose and investment. The Executive believes that there should be a clear delineation of responsibilities between local and national government provision. |
As mentioned above, the Executive is clear that central Government has three key responsibilities that define its role, and into which it will channel national investment for cultural provision. They are to:
In 2003, a retired Concorde aircraft was gifted to the National Museums of Scotland for the Museum of Flight in East Lothian. The Executive helped the Museum of Flight development with £2 million1 ensure that cultural talent in Scotland is recognised and nurtured, and that excellence is developed as a national resource, recognising and advancing Scotland's outstandingly talented artists and their achievements;
2 promote the best of Scotland's rich cultural treasure-store, maintaining and presenting, as openly and accessibly as possible, Scotland's superb national galleries', museums' and library collections; and
3 make the best of the nation's performing activity available to be accessed right across the country, providing national performing arts companies - produced and producing the best in and for Scotland.
Having acknowledged the need for a clear distinction of future delivery roles, the essential first step is to clarify the respective remits of the two arms of government.
3. CIPFA's "Scotland's Cultural Statistics 2003-04".