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Enterprise and Culture Committee, 13 Feb 2007

13 Feb 2007 · S2 · Enterprise and Culture Committee

Item of business

Creative Scotland

Ferguson, Patricia Lab Glasgow Maryhill Watch on SPTV

I am joined by Greig Chalmers, from the Education Department, and Greg Allan, from the Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning Department.I am grateful to the committee for its invitation to speak about what creative Scotland will mean for culture in Scotland and about the creative industries. It is important to say that we are not proposing the establishment of a new body because we want to solve a particular problem or address a failure. Scotland has a vibrant and colourful culture, which is a feature of a successful nation. I pay tribute to the Scottish Arts Council and Scottish Screen, which have played a commendable part in contributing to that success.We are proposing the establishment of a new body because we want to bring even more energy and ambition to the stimulation of creative and cultural endeavour. Creative Scotland will be Scotland's new national cultural development body and will have an exciting and challenging remit to support and develop artists, cultural and creative talent and excellence. As members know, we are encouraging closer joint working between the Scottish Arts Council, Scottish Screen and all cultural bodies. I have appointed a joint board under the leadership of Richard Holloway, which I think had its first meeting last week.Last year, in the document "Scotland's Culture", we considered how best to stimulate the creative industries. We all have an interest in the issue and want to make progress, but it is important that we do not underestimate the complexity of what we are dealing with. The creative industries are made up of diverse enterprises, which have some things in common with the rest of the economy but which also have special and distinct features. The important point is that the creative industries are a successful and expanding part of the Scottish economy.As members have heard, support is given to the creative industries through a wide range of efforts on the part of the public sector in Scotland. Support comes from a number of organisations, such as the Scottish Arts Council, Scottish Screen, Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the Cultural Enterprise Office. Other organisations have important roles and we must acknowledge the significant progress and successes that have been achieved.Last year, in the course of discussions, I realised that businesses and entrepreneurs want a simple and straightforward mechanism for accessing business support. We can deliver that—much support is given in the current set-up, but we need to consider how we improve the situation. I am committed to working with the Deputy First Minister and Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning to consider how better advice and assistance can be delivered, in a more straightforward way. Like me, he wants to ensure that our economic development policies concentrate on the areas and industries that bring the most benefit to people in Scotland and our economy, which sometimes means that we must make hard choices about priorities.We will not make changes just for the sake of it or just to make the situation look tidier on paper. What matters is the success of what we do to help businesses and what businesses achieve. Executive departments are working closely together to gather and assess the evidence that will help us to make the right decision. The issues are complex. The creative industries are disparate and diverse, as I said. Needs vary and innovative solutions to problems are often needed. After we have reached our conclusion, a number of bodies might still be involved in delivery. I welcome the opportunity to discuss and reflect on those complex issues with the committee.

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Enterprise and Culture Committee, 13 Feb 2007

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