Committee
Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee 15 May 2024
15 May 2024 · S6 · Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee
Item of business
Continued Petitions
Venice Biennale 2024 (PE2030)
PE2030, which was lodged by Denise Hooper, calls on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to review the cultural funding that it provides to the Scotland + Venice project and ensure that Scottish artists can contribute to the Venice biennale in 2024. When we previously considered the petition at our meeting on 20 September 2023, we agreed to write to the Scottish Government and Creative Scotland, largely because the material responses that we had received did not really explain anything at all, unless I am missing something. I am pleased to say that we have now received responses from both the Scottish Government and Creative Scotland. They confirm that the Scotland + Venice project was paused in order for a review to be carried out of the relevance and impact of the project. The response from Creative Scotland notes: “The review will present and evaluate options for change, underpinned by a clear financing strategy. It will support the future planning of Scotland’s participation at the Venice Biennale from 2026.” I might suggest that Creative Scotland investigates some of its other funding at the same time, but that is a separate matter. In response to the information provided by the Scottish Government and Creative Scotland, the petitioner has expressed concern that it may, therefore, be 2027 before Scotland is represented at the Venice biennale again. The petitioner highlights comments from the then First Minister Humza Yousaf that investment in Scotland’s arts and culture will be more than doubled over the next five years, which the petitioner believes should allow greater flexibility for Scotland’s participation. The committee has also received two submissions from the Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, updating us at various stages on progress on developing and publishing the international culture strategy. That strategy was published on 28 March 2024 and it was subsequently debated in the chamber. In light of the explanation that we have received, such as it is, and the resolve and determination that there appears to be that there will not be any participation in 2024 nor in 2025, it would seem, do colleagues have any suggestions for action?
In the same item of business
The Convener
Con
PE2030, which was lodged by Denise Hooper, calls on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to review the cultural funding that it provides t...
Foysol Choudhury
Lab
Did we get an update on the Creative Scotland review?
The Convener
Con
We did. That is the matter to which I just referred. It explained the basis of the pause that was implemented. The review that Creative Scotland is undertaki...
Foysol Choudhury
Lab
I think that we should keep the petition open until the review is concluded. Maybe the convener will want to organise a committee visit to Venice as well. La...
The Convener
Con
Do you want me to formally record that as the recommendation, Mr Choudhury? Is a committee visit to Venice part of your consideration?
Foysol Choudhury
Lab
Yes—both things. Laughter.
The Convener
Con
In the first instance, we might keep the petition open, as Mr Choudhury suggests, and ask Creative Scotland, if the review is concluding, for an update on it...
Fergus Ewing
SNP
I would love to go to Venice, but I do not think that I would ask the taxpayer to fork out for that, for the avoidance of any doubt.
The Convener
Con
I have been to Venice on a number of occasions, but that was under my own steam and not for the arts and culture festival. In all seriousness, I read recent...