Yesterday Michael Russell, Minister for Culture, External Affairs & the
Constitution, Ewan Brown, chair of Creative Scotland 2009 Ltd, and Richard
Holloway, chair of the joint Scottish Arts Council/Scottish Screen board, took
questions from arts workers and sector representatives at the first in a series
of quarterly meetings on the progress towards Creative Scotland. Their
statements, including details of how the £5 million Innovation Fund will be
spent over the next two years, as well the question and answer session that
followed can be heard in mp3 format at the link below:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/ArtsCultureSport/arts

Following SAU President Terry Anderson's question, the three gentlemen confirmed
that the definition of creative industries they have adopted does not include
visual art (among other areas of work). Therefore last Thursday's policy
document, Scotland's Creative Industries Partnership, categorically should not
be read as an outline of how Creative Scotland will conduct itself with regard
to the entire cultural sector. Those in the visual and applied arts need to
hear more on how Creative Scotland will support them as a matter of urgency.

Furthermore, we note the Minister's confidence that Creative Scotland will be
online in 2010 whether or not the Public Service Reform Bill succeeds. How the
new agency will function without legislation that defines it is an issue that,
in the SAU's view, needs careful consideration.