The Scottish Artists Union will be manning an information stand at the Scottish
Parliament
16th-18th December 2008.  Located at the entrance to the debating chamber, this
represents a unique opportunity to speak to MSPs about the working lives of
Scotland's visual
and applied artists ahead of new legislation on the formation of Creative
Scotland.

We are preparing a video presentation representing the importance of visual and
applied art
to our culture.  We will be including historical and contemporary imagery
created in Scotland.
If you would like to contribute, please send two images representative of your
work and/or
practice as jpegs at 72dpi and no larger than 720x576 pixels to info@... 
Mark your
email PARLIAMENT PRESENTATION.

Mark images with your copyright information if you wish.  They will not be
disseminated or
used by the Scottish Artists Union in any way other than display within the
Scottish
Parliament building during the three days mentioned.

As the business war on the air is hotting up with so many low-budget
airlines dominating the sky, the passengers can now enjoy the best
deals. The webguide - http://air.myguideforlife.com - helps you find
the cheapest and even free air tickets to make your journey ore
happier and very less expensive.

Visit the website now to find out how to get the cheap and free air
tickets: http://air.myguideforlife.com

The Scottish Artists Union will have an information stand in the Scottish
Parliament on the
16th, 17th and 18th of December 2008.  Located at the entrance to the main
debating
chamber, this is an invaluable opportunity to take our message to all MSPs.

The SAU Executive Committee is currently considering ways to represent the work
of our
members during these three days (use of video and digital images is permitted,
but not
sound) as well as the issues that matter most to you.  Please email us or make
your
suggestions on the members' forum.

Within a few hours of the publication of the Scottish Government's programme for
2008-09,
and the Scottish Artist Union's calls for clarity over the future of Creative
Scotland, details of
the Minister for Europe, External Affairs & Culture's plans have emerged.  An
account of Linda
Fabiani's statement can be found at the link below.  The key points appear to
be:

- arrangements for establishing Creative Scotland will undergo further
Parliamentary scrutiny
through the Government's new Public Services Reform Bill
- said Bill will "enshrine" the arms' length principle
- Creative Scotland will begin life as a company limited by guarantee
- the new board of directors and chief executive will be in place by April 2009,
with the
organisation maturing into a statutory body by February 2010

The Scottish Artists Union eagerly awaits the publication of this new Bill and
the opportunity
to participate in the promised scrutiny, endeavouring to amend or- if necessary-
oppose it if
it does not serve the needs of Scotland's visual artists.

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2008/09/03115220

POSTSCRIPT-

The Creative Scotland Bill is absent from the programme, but Creative Scotland
is mentioned
in the context of a new "Public Services Reform Bill" that will "include
proposals" for the new
body's establishment.  It remains unclear whether this will lead to yet more
consultation or
not.

Today saw the publication of The Scottish Government's Programme for Scotland
2008-09,
entitled Moving Scotland Forward.  The SAU is appalled to find no mention of
Creative
Scotland in the document.

During the summer recess we received assurances from the office of the Minister
for Europe,
External Affairs & Culture that "the Scottish Government remains 100 per cent
committed to
the establishment of Creative Scotland" and "the Joint Board of the Scottish
Arts Council and
Scottish Screen and the Creative Scotland Transition Team are also continuing
their work in
developing the structure and plans for Creative Scotland."

Yet when asked to speak at our AGM next week, the Transition Team declined,
saying "we
are unable to confirm what the current programme or legislation for Creative
Scotland will be
and until it becomes clear, we are unable to provide you with an update for your
meeting."

The SAU asks, who is leading on the establishment of Creative Scotland?  When
will the
months of speculation and the paralysis gripping the Scottish arts sector end? 
Can we expect
a definitive statement on Creative Scotland's future from any quarter or more
obfuscation
from all?

Scottish Artists Union- Annual General Meeting
Tuesday 9th September 2008, 7.00-9.00pm
Out of the Blue, the Drill Hall, 36 Dalmeny Street, Edinburgh, EH6 8RG

Current members will receive further details shortly.

The cross-party parliamentary committee for Education, Lifelong Learning &
Culture has
concluded its Stage One examination of the Creative Scotland Bill. Its findings
are now
online:
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/s3/committees/ellc/reports-08/edr08-03-01.htm

Our written evidence to the committee earlier this year identified three main
areas of
concern:
1) the huge number of "creative industries" the new body will be supporting, far
more than
the combined remit of the Scottish Arts Council and Scottish Screen
2) Creative Scotland will have to do this work with less money than those two
organisations, and there remains confusion over whether they will receive a
concordant
transfer of "creative industries" funding from Scottish Enterprise, as promised
in the 2007
SNP manifesto
3) there are as yet no guarantees of dedicated visual arts representation at the
board level
nor a discrete visual arts budget
Like many other arts organisations we were also worried about the Bill's paucity
of detail
and its author's stated reluctance to define words such as culture, creativity
etc. and willful
exclusion of the word "artists".

The committee's findings reflect these concerns only in part. On the positive
side, they
say:
-The Committee is concerned that the measures included in the Bill do not match
the
rhetoric from the Scottish Government.
-The economic role and functions of Creative Scotland in particular need to be
further
defined.
-The Committee further considers it would have been helpful for the relationship
between
Creative Scotland and the enterprise agencies to have been clearly determined
before the
introduction of the Bill.
-The Committee is concerned over contradictory evidence received on the transfer
of
resources. The Committee further noted that witnesses presented evidence that
Creative
Scotland is being asked to do more with a diminishing budget and the Committee
shares
these concerns.
-The Committee endorses the principle of the establishment of a single national
cultural
body, to be called `Creative Scotland'. However, the Committee has significant
concerns as
to whether the Bill as drafted will meet its objectives.

However, the SAU is disappointed to learn that:
-On balance, the Committee agrees with the Bill's approach regarding definition
of terms
such as `arts and culture' and `creativity', but believes how Creative Scotland
interprets
these is of significance in terms of how it delivers its functions.
-The Committee notes the arguments by COSLA and others for formal representation
of
constituencies of interest on the Creative Scotland board. However, the
Committee is not
convinced by these arguments.

The SAU cannot accept the concept of a new Scottish cultural development agency
charged to do more than the two it will replace with less resources than both
combined,
given no definition as to which sectors constitute its sole responsibility and
enabled by
deliberately vague legislation, one of the few specific points of which is to
exclude artists-
the wellspring of creativity- from the language of its remit.

We will continue to make these points as the Bill enters its second stage of
consideration
and the text is amended.

The United States Congress and Senate are currently (and not for the first time)
considering a bill intended to address the problem of "orphan works", i.e. works
owned by
parties who cannot be found or identified, thereby denying said works' use in
research,
education etc. for fear of infringement.

Many artists in the US believe that the bill will remove the immediate and
inherent
copyright protection from all new work, "orphaning" all artistic work unless it
is protected
via registration on visual databases, databases that at present do not exist but
are
anticipated to be run entirely within the private sector. The legal onus will
rest on the
artist to register- at an as yet unknown level of expense- each and every piece
of work
they have ever created. This penalises individual artists and benefits
corporations, who
could exploit any unmarked material they come across (or, in the worst case
scenario,
remove the mark) and in the event of a challenge merely have to prove they made
a
"diligent" effort to find the copyright holder- an elastic term that could mean
nothing
more than a Google search.

Apart from constituting a violation of American artists' creative rights, this
bill could have
a big impact on visual artists outwith the USA. The Illustrators' Partnership of
America
have compiled a letter explaining the issue and the SAU encourage you to read it
by
following the link below.

Weblink:
http://www.IllustratorsPartnership.org/01_topics/article.php?searchterm=00267

The Scottish Artists Union has submitted a formal written response to the
parliamentary
committee for Education, Lifelong Learning & Culture as they conduct
consultation on the
Creative Scotland Bill. Our submission identifies three main areas of concern at
this early
stage in the legislation's development:
-the huge number of "creative industries" the new body will be supporting, far
more than the
combined remit of the Scottish Arts Council and Scottish Screen
- Creative Scotland will have to do this work with less money than those two
organisations
- finally, there are as yet no guarantees of dedicated visual arts
representation at the board
level nor a discrete visual arts budget

To download the full response from our website's  Document Centre, follow the
link below.

Weblink: http://www.sau.org.uk/document/politicalstatements.php

On the 12th of March, the Scottish First Minister introduced a Bill that will
usher in the new
cultural development agency Creative Scotland. The Bill and its explanatory
notes can be
downloaded from the Scottish Government's website:
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/s3/bills/07-CreativeScotland/index.htm

Scrutiny of the Bill is being led by the cross-party parliamentary committee for
Education,
Lifelong Learning and Culture. The committee has extended an open invitation
from all
interested parties to submit written responses to the Bill's general principles.
These should
be submitted by email address below no later than 5.00pm on Friday the 18th of
April 2008:
creativescotlandbill@...

The SAU encourages all visual artists in the country to put forward their views
on this
important piece of legislation. We will respond too, but acknowledge this Bill
is only half the
story, outlining Creative Scotland's relationship with government. We eagerly
await further
details of Creative Scotland's internal structure from the Scottish Arts
Council/Scottish Screen
Joint Board as well as Transition Director Anne Bonnar.

SCOTLAND- CREATIVE NATION
Cultural Summit, Scottish Arts Council, 25th-27th February 2008

SCOTTISH ARTISTS UNION RESPONSE

The Scottish Artists Union stated ahead of Creative Nation, advertised as a
conversation of
pertinent issues in the context of the development of Creative Scotland, that it
was
regrettable participation in the event required a commitment of time and money
beyond
the means of the majority of artists.  Sure enough, a glance at the delegates
list revealed a
lamentably small number identifying themselves as creative practitioners rather
than arts
mangers.

As names such as Linda Fabiani, the Minister for Culture, Ann Bonar, charged
with the
transition between the Scottish Arts Council and Creative Scotland, and Richard
Holloway,
Chair of the nascent body's joint board, took to the floor and revealed what
little they
could about Creative Scotland it became depressingly apparent how amorphous the
new
organisation's thinking is, less than a year from the point at which it must
take the wheel
from SAC and Scottish Screen.  The Scottish arts community has been holding its
breath
through a Cultural Commission, a draft Culture Bill, a change in government and
now a
cultural summit, hoping against hope for an end to this period of uncertainty.

As pleasing as it may be to hear reaffirmations of "a light touch", arms length
principals as
"sacred" and the promise of Creative Scotland as more than just a quango doling
out
cheques, the summit as a whole struck us and representatives from other
organisations as
a closed shop; a middle management conference in which the relative merits of
various
cultural models, metaphors and lexicons were discussed while both audience and
creators
were notably excluded.  Worse, it was an event at which the SAC made it very
clear it is
well into the process of dismantling but their successors have barely begun to
think about
what to do next.

Perhaps the most disturbing new buzzword to be heard being bandied about
liberally was
"excellence".  The over-arching concept of Sir Brian McMaster's recent report to
Arts
Council England, the man himself was in attendance on the first day of the
summit to take
part in an "excellence" debate.  One might question what relevance the report
has in a
devolved Scotland, but if Creative Scotland's leaders remain as bogged down in a
consultative rather than decision-making process as they appear to be, then it's
easy to
imagine the McMaster report- rapturously welcomed by many critics and
commentators-
having an impact on their thinking.  The concept of "excellence" as presented
strikes us as
very dangerous.  Whose taste in art determines "excellence"?  Artists? 
Audiences?
Commissioners?  Ministers?  Can consensus be reached on such a subjective point?
And
how can "excellence" be determined at the funding stage, before work is
completed?
Worse, how does the product-focused definition of "excellence" presented square
with the
"innovation and risk taking" that McMaster calls for in his report and Richard
Holloway
contends must be a hallmark of Creative Scotland's ethos?  Self-evidently,
artists seek to
do good work and arts authorities strive to make good decisions and should be
encouraged to do so.  But "excellence" surely comes apparent in retrospect;
adopted as the
central principle on which funding decisions are made, it will lead to money
following
money, conservatism and even entropy in Scottish arts.  "Excellence" must be
evident in
the systems that support the artistic process, not just in critic-pleasing
polished end
products.

We fear a significant swathe of the Scottish public has yet to be convinced of
the intrinsic
power, joy and merit of art.  Scotland's artists are ready and willing to reach
them, but a
cultural authority that adopts the elitist, out-moded McMaster doctrine of
"excellence"
will poorly serve both.

From Monday the 25th to Wednesday the 27th of February, the Scottish Arts
Council are
presiding over Creative Nation, a cultural summit promising "exploration,
discussion and
debate of pertinent issues in the context of the development of Creative
Scotland."
We are disappointed to find that, once again, the organisers of an arts event
boasting
cross-sectoral participation have set their booking fees far too high.
Attendance on all
three days will cost artists and freelancers £200 (£160 for early bookings last
year), fees
that do not not include travel, meals or accommodation.

These figures effectively exclude the vast majority of practitioners from the
event, the very
people responsible for the future of Scotland's culture and those who stand to
gain- or
lose- the most depending upon how Creative Scotland's emergence is handled.

As ever the SAU stands on the principle that the voice of artists must be heard
in arts
decision making. Our members need to know what is put forward at Creative Nation
and
as such will be sending a delegate from the Executive Committee on each day,
representing the 500+ SAU members. We think it is important that the
practitioner's
position is represented and that the organisers are held to account; if this
event does not
give participants the opportunity to directly influence the development of
Creative
Scotland then we'll be asking why.

Gauging reaction to the various key-note speakers, "break-out sessions" and
other
activities is essential as we will be posting a report on the event on the SAU
website at the
earliest opportunity. If there are any SAU members planning to attend any part
of the
event, please make yourselves known to the Executive Committee either by email
or in
person on the day and share your thoughts.

The following message was distributed via Voluntary Arts Scotland's e-newsletter
earlier
this week. The SAU wholly endorses this campaign and urges all members to write
to their
MSPs on the matter, especially in our post-Olympics, post-Commonwealth Games
funding climate where the arts sector looks set to suffer enormous losses.

Act Now To Secure £40m for the Third Sector - posted 20.1.2008

Incredible though it may seem, there is currently around £40m sitting in dormant
bank
and building society accounts in Scotland. The Scottish Government is currently
discussing
how best to spend these unclaimed assets (i.e. money which has remained
untouched for
at least 15 years) - but recent activity in the Parliament has sent alarm bells
ringing in the
Third Sector.

Both the previous Labour/Lib-Dem coalition and the current Scottish Government
had
earmarked the money to be spread amongst various good causes in Scotland. They
had
also promised to consult with all relevant stakeholders before allocating the
funds.
However, a motion tabled in the Scottish Parliament last week proposed
distributing the
funds without the promised consultation. An attempt was also made by Lib-Dem
MSP,
Jeremy Purvis to ensure that all the money from dormant bank accounts in
Scotland is
allocated solely to youth services.

Whilst we would agree that youth organisations and services have a strong case
to make
for accessing funds, so do many other groups and organisations. Particularly
since this
comes at a time when many organisations are faced with financial difficulties
exacerbated
by the drain on the national lottery by the 2012 Olympics.

The Scottish Council of Voluntary Organisations [SCVO] and Voluntary Arts
Scotland is
therefore urging people to contact their MSP immediately, to ask them to push
for a
consultation on this matter. The motion is set for debate again sometime this
week (w/c
20 Jan), so the time to act is now. Organisations across the third sector have a
right to
express their opinion on how this substantial chunk of money will be spent.

To ensure the promised consultation goes ahead, please e-mail your MSP as soon
as
possible (you can locate their details by visiting
www.scottish.parliament.uk/msp/membersPages/msplocator.htm). You can also write
to
the SCVO expressing your concern by e-mailing peter.mccoll@... (please
also
copy Peter into any correspondence sent to your MSP, so they can monitor the
level of
activity this has generated).

Voluntary Arts Scotland will be supporting a full consultation on dormant bank
accounts.
We have already contributed to the initial UK consultation on unclaimed assets,
where we
made a strong case for why arts and crafts groups need to be considered as
recipients of
this fund. You can read about this at www.vascotland.org.uk/12499

The Scottish Government has recently published a consultation document on
proposed
legislation that will create a new vetting and barring scheme, as called for
under the
Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007. It is available for
download from their
website and hard copies can be requested from Blackwell's Bookshop (email
address and
weblink below).

Membership of this scheme would replace the current Disclosure Scotland
certification
required for all workers whose job roles entail contact with children and
vulnerable adults.
The Scottish Artists Union will be submitting a response to these proposals
ahead of the
February 12th deadline. We would very much like to hear from members likely to
be affected
buy these new proposals (for example, artists who conduct sessional workshops
for local
authorities), and in particular their opinions on the Fee Levels and Charging
Regime outlined
in Chapter 5.3 of the document.

Weblink: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/201935/0053824.pdf

Contact: business.edinburgh@...

An Open Letter to
Linda Fabiani, Minister for Europe, External Affairs & Culture.
31st August 2007

Dear Minister-

On the 24th of August the Scottish Executive published a "factual report of the
responses
received" during the period of consultation on the draft Culture (Scotland)
Bill.
Considering the changes that have since taken place, the document was
surprisingly non-
committal in tone: "This document does not provide any view of the present
administration."  To say that the artistic community, after the long summer
recess, is
eager to hear those views would be a vast understatement.  For the moment we
have a
sanitised summary of responses, a positive gloss on what were very often
expressions of
great disappointment.  The report is certainly no panegyric for the bill, the
Cultural
Commission before it and the (in)famous St.Andrew's Day Speech that spawned
them.  Yet
one can't help but think that it, like the bill, should have been issued with
guidance notes.
To cite just one example; the report states that 63% of correspondents agreed
with the
suggestion "there should be a single national cultural development body." 
Whilst the
various caveats and concerns of correspondents are summarised, the statistic is
presented
as a tacit endorsement of the nascent Creative Scotland.  This overlooks the
fact that those
of us who represent Scottish artists knew Creative Scotland's advent was all but
inevitable;
even as the draft Bill was being published, too much time and money had already
been
spent in the preparations for Scottish Screen and the Scottish Arts Council to
merge. To
naysay the merger was thus rendered futile; it was more constructive to focus on
the
minutiae of the Bill's proposals and try to make to best of them.
This report does little other than to illustrate once more that Labour's draft
Bill was a very
mixed bag.  What Scotland's artist need- quickly- is a clear statement of intent
from the
new SNP-led administration.  Firstly, if Creative Scotland is to succeed then we
need to
know its ultimate shape and precisely what its relationship with the Executive
is going to
be.  Bluntly, to what extent will Scottish ministers control the decision-making
of the new
body's directors?  Secondly, what now for the concept of "Cultural
Entitlements", and how
does it square with the continuing trend of local authorities farming out
cultural planning
to new charitable trusts?  Thirdly- and most importantly- will the new Executive
place the
practitioner at the heart of their cultural planning, rather than vague notions
of "quality
and excellence" or, worse, economic impact and art's use as a poorly resourced
panacea
for societal ills?
Much has been made of the "First 100 days" of the new Scottish politics.  Yet
curiously
absent from the headlines has been one of the SNP's most talked-about manifesto
promises: tax exemption on the first £15k of artists' income.  Your party also
promised
new forms of arts funding, more support and investment and- perhaps- an entirely
new
Culture Bill.  Clearly the SNP face unprecedented challenges as the realities of
minority
government take effect, and no one expects the hubris of a party manifesto to be
wholly
reflected in the actions of parliament.  Yet many sectors have been given cause
for
optimism while uncertainty hangs over the nation's cultural development; an
overwhelming, months-long pregnant pause that requires closure.  Minister, we
urge you
to join the conversation.

Sincerely,

Terry Anderson
PRESIDENT
SCOTTISH ARTISTS UNION

The Scottish Artists Union's AGM will take place at Street Level Photoworks,
King Street,
Glasgow on the evening of Tuesday the 25th of September.

All members will receive written details in early September, including the
nominations
form for next year's Executive Committee.  We hope the many new members, for
whom
this is their first AGM, will consider putting their names forward.

We would also encourage as many of you to attend as possible as this is your
best
opportunity to contribute to the SAU's agenda and direction for the coming
session, meet
the people who work on your behalf and as well as your fellow members.

Terry Anderson
PRESIDENT
SCOTTISH ARTISTS UNION

Why should this concern the Scottish Artist's Union?

Visual and Applied Artists in Scotland who are professional and
highly skilled will volunteer their skills and time for a variety of
reasons and not solely for money.

Given that only 18% of Artists make a living from their work, many of
the others are clearly gaining rewards in other ways.

Access to professional development and work experience are often
through the route of volunteering and that volunteer run, not for
profit organisations (like the Scottish Artists' Union) rely on
volunteers absolutely, before they will employ staff to provide
services and run activities. The voluntary sector is also a key
employer of freelance artists (from all disciplines and crafts) with
employment opportunities in the sector likely to continue to grow
over the next five to ten years. Artists and arts workers in the
sector are mainly employed on a temporary and project–to-project
basis.

These `third sector' organisations (and their funders) are in a
unique position to lead the way in supporting the SAU's objectives in
setting fair rates of pay and working conditions for their freelance
creative workforce. Indeed these community and social economy
organisations could offer artists other benefits: continuing
professional development, training and work-based learning, workshop
facilities and studios, flexible short term studio lets, storage,
exhibition space, office and administration facilities and services,
access to information about grants, awards and community projects.

A Cultural Social Economy Seminar would give us a chance to put our
demands on the table and persuade key players to recognise how
vulnerable creative workers are, how the ambiguities and ill defined
working practices currently operating in the deployment of
volunteering, temporary and freelance arts workers only serves to
undermine the individual who is often coming into to an organisation
temporarily and as such, cannot always rely on the support that
normal employees would expect.

To suggest that the Scottish Artists' Union is only there to
represent the 18% of artists who are full time professional
practitioners based on their income only would be misrepresenting the
majority of our membership who are not in that category and seriously
limit our scope and representational ability. To deny the
professionalism of qualified and experienced art workers and artists
who choose to volunteer for professional development, community or
family reasons would be political suicide.

The fact is that artists make their art no matter what their
circumstances and often despite them. By attending an informal
seminar at this time, which would bring together the leading strands
of voluntary arts, cultural planning and policy and `creative'
education would give us a chance to make powerful allies and
partnerships which would lead to improvements for art and community
education, access and facilities for arts practice and it's
development. Our goal should be to secure sustainable remuneration
and rewards for practitioners and this is a key moment in time when
our voice should be heard.  I believe that the will to improve how we
educate, employ and empower the creative workforce of Scotland has
never been stronger and that the Scottish Artist's Union is being
looked on to speak out for our members.

As reported in yesterday's Sunday Herald, the overwhelming majority of arts
sector bodies
who submitted official responses to the Draft Culture (Scotland) Bill have
branded the
proposed legislation "a wasted opportunity".

The SAU's own reply was given especial emphasis in the article.  Among the other
organisations quoted were: COSLA; Equity; the Federation of Scottish Theatre;
Festivals
Edinburgh; Glasgow Culture & Sport; the Literature Forum for Scotland; the
Musicians
Union; the Saltire Society; the Screen Industries Summit Group; the Scottish
Storytelling
Centre; Shetland Arts; Unison.

Two hundred and twelve responses were received and the majority have now been
published by the Scottish Executive, and can be read here:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/05/11154331/0
Additionally, details of the official consultation day on February 21st 2007 can
be read
here:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/ArtsCulture/CulturalPolicy/CultureBill/
Consultationmeeting

Meanwhile, the SAU has written to the new Minister for Europe, External Affairs
and
Culture- Linda Fabiani- expressing our concern that a clear statement on the
future of the
Bill and all it proposes needs to be made quickly.

Terry Anderson
President
Scottish Artists Union

The Scottish Artists Union's official website has been completely redesigned,
rewritten and
improved.  Visit www.sau.org.uk right now to get the latest on all the SAU's
activities.

The Home page currently features details of all six main party policies on the
arts and
culture, essential reading ahead of the Scottish Elections on May 3rd.  Members
should
also look over the SAU's own manifesto, available in the new Documents Centre.

Terry Anderson
President
Scottish Artists Union

The fact is that culture and the arts are used as a tools to promote
local authority, government and community agendas, and this is not
going to go away. That means that there will always be employment
available for visual and applied artists within these agendas.
We want decent wages for this employment, within sustainable and
supported working conditions.
This type of work, will not suit artists who have personal autonomy
at the heart of what they do. But there are artists who have a
passion to work with communities and on team projects.
The Culture Bill is focused on the arts within agendas...
So is trying (not very well) to dictate a more transparent structure
for 'delivery', more accountability, access and 'value for money'.
All this makes perfect sense until you realise they have left out the
key ingredients...
It seems that the officials behind all the planning and strategy and
policy, are desperate to control and contain the creative spirit; so
they can take the credit as usual.
Artists are only to be patronised with awards and invitations to
Cultural Academy lunches!
Musicians and Actors only got better wages and conditions by
operating a closed shop....
I wonder what would happen if Artists went down the same route!

With the Scottish Executive's deadline of the 31st of March two days away, you
still have
some time to make your voice heard.  Read the document and get details of how to
respond here:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2006/12/14095224/0

Meanwhile, the SAU submitted the following today:

The Scottish Artists Union is the pre-eminent representative body for practicing
visual and
applied artists in Scotland. It is inevitable that the twin pillars of the
Culture (Scotland) Bill
will affect the working lives of our members: namely the new Creative Scotland
agency and
the Cultural Entitlements initiative.  While there are significant proposals
elsewhere in the
Bill to be applauded (most especially the laws with regard to Tainted Cultural
Objects) we
find these two main strategies significantly flawed and a wasted opportunity
considering
the great cause for optimism that was evidenced in the final report from the
Cultural
Commission.

At the heart of any new cultural initiative an understanding of the intrinsic
value of the
arts, and therefore artists, within society is required.

As a matter of policy the SAU states it is essential that visual and applied
artists be fully
involved in Scottish cultural development in order for it to achieve its true
potential.  We
maintain the view that practicing artists should be placed on all
decision-making boards
and fully integrated into all cultural planning, contributing to greater levels
of
transparency.

Furthermore, we call for an appropriate level of remuneration for artists
working in
publicly funded projects as a clear commitment to valuing the creative
practitioner within
our culture.  We also call for direct research and development funding through
awards,
stipends and sponsorship to promote new investigation and, in Jack McConnell's
words, "
…make the development of our creative drive, our imagination, the next major
enterprise
for our society."

We call for recognition of the special circumstances of artistic work in
relation to Tax &
VAT where the great majority of artists are significantly disadvantaged by the
current
systems. We also call for extended support for artists' economic growth and
sustainability.

We also expect genuine freedom from party political agendas, which is essential
to allow
the widest possible artistic development and cultural dynamism.

It is with great regret that we have found the proposed Bill does very little to
address our
priorities and also fails to recognise the intrinsic value of the arts within
our culture.   Only
the announcement by the Minister for Culture on 21/2/07 that a visual artist
will be
sought to sit on the Creative Scotland board gives us any hope that the artist
is to be
recognised at all in this new look cultural landscape. We are very concerned by
legislation
that fails to identify the artist or any other practitioner.  It appears the
Executive seeks to
place culture at the heart of Scottish society whilst neglecting the wellspring
of culture: the
creative individual.  Instead great mention is made of  "talent", "excellence"
and the
"creative industries".

In our view it is inappropriate for Creative Scotland to have such a heavily
slanted
enterprise agenda as implied in the guidance to the bill.  If culture is to be
judged
primarily for its economic benefits then there can be little hope for dynamic
activity in
which experimentation and risk are permitted.    Equally concerning is the
proposal for
Ministerial control over Creative Scotland's actions that appear to be enshrined
in the Bill.
For their part, the Executive has attempted to explain that powers must be
reserved to
protect against misuse of money from the public purse.  A compromise has been
suggested by other organisations proposing an amendment that renders matters of
artistic content inviolate.  The SAU would not be satisfied with this caveat as
we believe
that so long as Ministers reserve the power to appoint all board members, set
budgets,
and direct policy priorities then any notion of artistic freedom is meaningless.
We reject
the proposition that the advent of Creative Scotland (as described) heralds an
improvement on the status quo, and furthermore find it disingenuous that this
consultation process asks for such opinions when so many moves have already been
made
to prepare for the dismantling of the Scottish Arts Council and Scottish Screen.

The centralising agenda that lies at the heart of the Creative Scotland
proposition is cast in
an even more disturbing light when considered in tandem with Cultural
Entitlements.  The
prime motive of any entitlements agenda should be the promotion of access to the
intrinsic value of art, heritage, language etc. that is central to the cultural
experience. That
was the original intention of cultural rights as described by the Cultural
Commission.  The
phrasing of this Bill, however, places its principal attention on the benefits
that can be
brought to bear in support of social policy priorities.

What conclusions can we draw from legislation that proposes to bring top-level
cultural
planning under greater governmental control whilst passing delivery of highly
targeted
Cultural Entitlements to local authorities with very limited financial support?

Many quarters have criticised the Bill for being "toothless" and not going far
enough in
terms of placing culture in the position of paramount importance suggested by
the First
Minister's St. Andrew's Day speech of 2003. The Scottish Artists Union go
further in our
opinion that, if passed as legislation, the proposed Bill could have dramatic
and
detrimental results, creating a Scotland in which artists, art and culture are
seen as a
means to an end (both economically and socially) instead of being valued as the
expression of the nation's identity and aspirations.

We in the SAU do not wish to see our culture diminished through ill-considered
political
planning, particularly as it threatens to leave the Scottish visual artist
immeasurably
poorer. We urge the Executive to reconsider the proposed legislation.

Terry Anderson
President
Scottish Artists Union

The draft copy for the Scottish Arts Council/Scottish Screen joint response to
the Draft
Culture (Scotland) Bill is now available online:
http://www.scottisharts.org.uk/1/artsinscotland/response.aspx

Perhaps unsurprisingly the document is a pretty thorough endorsement of Creative
Scotland from the two bodies that it will replace, and from some of the key
personnel who
will be charged with running it.  All that is requested of the Executive is that
they clarify
the role of the new agency, grant it greater levels of authority and autonomy
and explain
the relationships it will be expected to have with other bodies.

If you wish to respond to the document before it is submitted to the Scottish
Executive, do
so via the website quoted above before Friday the 16th of March.

Terry Anderson
President
Scottish Artists Union

This year's Glasgow Art Fair takes place from the 19th to the 22nd of April.
http://www.glasgowartfair.com

SAU Members can get in for the concessionary rate of £4 (a third less than the
full ticket
price).  Just show your membership card at the front desk.

The SAU will have an information stand manned throughout the four day event. 
More
details to be posted soon.

Terry Anderson
President
Scottish Artists Union

As announced, I represented the SAU at today's event organised by Greig Chalmers
of the
Scottish Executive's office for Tourism, Culture & Sport at the Edinburgh
International
Conference Centre, along with some 120 delegates from various cultural
institutions, arts
organisations and local authorities.

The day's opening remarks came from Prof. John Wallace, Principal of the Royal
Scottish
Academy for Music & Drama.  Although his speech was generally optimistic in tone
(and
enlivened by occasional trumpet solos!) he did voice several criticisms of the
Bill.  He
suggested that now is the time for nothing short of a "Cultural Declaration of
Arbroath",
and that the Bill falls far short of this.  Specifically, he said that the
proposals on Cultural
Entitlements need teeth; that Creative Scotland's remit needs to be expanded
beyond
those of the Scottish Arts Council and Scottish Screen (i.e. the arts) to truly
encompass all
culture (language, heritage, libraries & archives etc) and that if this cannot
be done then
an appropriate board of organisations needs to be established; that the artist
as individual
needs to be remembered; and that, in terms of art, research & development need
to be
cherished and supported as much as social or economic benefits.

It was gratifying to hear these latter two points in particular expressed at the
start of the
event, as they echo the SAU's perspective.  While Prof. Wallace insisted the
artist (and by
that he meant the creative individual) needs to be cherished, he wondered aloud
whether
the language of government documents (the draft Bill and its accompanying
guidance
notes) could or should acknowledge them, especially if Creative Scotland's remit
were to
be expanded to the extent he'd like.  On this we disagree: if the description of
the body
that is to replace the Scottish Arts Council can make special mention of
computer games,
but makes none of artists, something is far wrong.

The next speaker was the Minister herself, Patricia Ferguson MSP.  The Minister
stated that
the intent of the Bill is to establish a "framework" and nothing more, and that
she
understands the frustration over the perceived gap between its language as a
policy-
making document (regrettably but necessarily dry) and the "inspiring reality" of
the
cultural sector.  With this framework in place, she said, the policy of her
administration
would be to "stand well back".  The Ministerial powers over Creative Scotland's
board are
to be held in reserve and enshrined in the Bill only because Ministers must be
accountable
for the spending of public money.

The Minister displayed a frequent confusion between "culture" and "the arts" and
"the arts"
and "creative industries" that was noted by many delegates in subsequent
discussions.  As
far as Creative Scotland's remit was concerned, she said the new body's job
would be: to
advise Ministers on cultural matters; provide a link between national and local
government; advise practitioners on reaching new audiences, attracting corporate
sponsorship and acquiring business skills (worryingly enterprise-centric); and
(an
increasingly familiar turn of phrase) "support talent and recognise and
celebrate
excellence".

On Cultural Entitlements, the Minister said that many had criticised the use of
the word
"entitlement" when the Bill itself does not make mandatory requirement of their
provision
by local authorities.  She said the word had been used to be indicative of the
ambition
behind the initiative.  She explained that local authorities will be required by
law to inform
their residents about cultural opportunities and events, and report to the
Scottish
Executive demonstrating that they have "had regard to" the Bill in the formation
of their
cultural planning.

She said the proposal is not about quotas or "box ticking", but generating
excitement
about culture.

There was a brief opportunity to question the Minister, and I put these points
to her and
her staff:
1) What conclusions can be drawn from the lack of acknowledgment in the
description of
Creative Scotland and its remit of the vital role played and contribution made
by the
individual visual artist, and furthermore the absence of visual or applied arts
experience
among the body's recently-announced interim board?
2) The Executive is encouraging local authorities to draw upon or use artist as
if they are a
natural resource to be exploited, while simultaneously these authorities are
increasingly
conferring their responsibilities for cultural provision onto trusts and
companies.  This will
add more bureaucracy to the process and another "sieve" that catches money as it
trickles
down, depriving the artist of funding yet further.  How, in this period of
history, can moves
be made to utilise a resource without first ensuring its future sustainability?

In answer to the first, Patricia Ferguson said an absence of the artist from
"the face of the
Bill" should not be taken to mean they have been forgotten.  She went on to say
that there
had been no visual artists among the personnel put forward for selection by
either the
Scottish Arts Council or Scottish Screen.  However the board is not yet full and
they intend
to expand it to its maximum size, selecting at least one visual artist as they
do so.  The
position will be advertised in due course.
(Later, Ben Twist of Scottish Screen and one of the new Creative Scotland
appointees was
good enough to confirm that he had raised this same concern during the selection
process.)

As for the second question, both the Minister and her staff vigorously rejected
the notion
that Cultural Entitlements could leave artists liable to exploitation.  Rather,
they stated that
the proposal should produce greater opportunities for artists, and increase the
level to
which they are engaged with and consulted by their local authorities.  Of
course, they did
not confirm whether local authorities will actually have more money with which
to
implement these entitlements (i.e. will artists be paid properly), which is the
heart of the
matter.  This was furthered in questions from other delegates, but the panel
refused to
express even an opinion on what percentage of tax revenue might be ring-fenced
for
culture, or how many pennies in every pound spent by local authorities would go
towards
it.

The consultation process continues and we will remain engaged in it until the
March
deadline.

Terry Anderson
President
Scottish Artists Union

The SAU has been invited to participate in another day of discussion and
consultation on
the Draft Culture (Scotland) Bill at the Scottish Parliament.

Unlike the last meeting, which was organised by Chris Ballance MSP, this has
been
arranged by the office of the Culture Minister Patricia Ferguson, who will be in
attendance and intends to take questions from delegates.

The SAU welcomes the opportunity to once again voice our concerns over the key
proposals of the document (the new Creative Scotland agency and the concept of
local
authority provision of "cultural entitlements") at the highest possible level.

The event is taking place on the 21st of February and will inform the SAU's
final
submission to the consultation process, to be made before the 31st of March. 
Meanwhile,
our initial statement made in January will appear in the next issue of [a-n].

Terry Anderson
SAU President

I have read the draft bill and come up with a list of Summery Points
Please feel free to add comments or challenge assumptions. I have
simply tried to highlight gaps and uncertainties.

Cultural Planning will need to include
-       Training
- Research and Development Support
- Providing Information (collating and Updating)
- Development and Sustainability
- Planning for improvements where there are currently
insufficiencies and gaps.
Improvements –  what are we improving on, where are we beginning this
process?
Engaging with cultural workers requires there to be some resources
fro these workers to enable them to take part in the process. Even
volunteers need resources and support frameworks.
Training – career pathways – personal and professional development
Realism and practical support for creative and cultural practice.
Business set up and development support (CEO services expanded?)
Clarity with SEO's and recognition  Social Enterprise as a model for
supporting career pathways for cultural workers.
Inclusion means providing space  or making room for culture i.e.
cultural workers, cultural work and performance, storage for
equipment, materials and artworks, workshops and facilities that
support practice (recording studios, kilns, printmakers workshop,
picture framers, photographic studio and  dark rooms etc.
Desperate need to clarify or differentiate between volunteering in
the Arts and professional Arts workers/Community Cultural workers.
This area is ill defined and because of this undermines both of these
activities by blurring the practitioner's role and status, project to
project.
The draft bill clearly states that there will be no extra or new
money to facilitate its recommendations.
Does this mean that Creative Scotland will offer resources and grants
increasingly to local projects, which `deliver' culture as part of
other agendas?
Will this increase these projects reliance on arts volunteers and
with Social Economy organisations?
What sort of assistance will be available and to who?
What support for Independent Arts Practitioners/Self Employed
Artists. There is no mention of ROP, standards of employment,
pensions or sustainable career development, training or anything that
would lead to improving those delivering the agenda wish to stay in
their  profession for any length of time required to develop and
enhance key skills!
There is no evidence of any `overarching' commitment to enhance
artists career development or indeed to truly and genuinely  include
them other than to invite them ad hoc to join committees such as
Regeneration (SURF), Community Planning Partnerships and local Social
Economy Organisation and Networks that might employ them. This they
can do already and generally they don't get involved at the moment as
they are not valued and often can't afford to get involved or have
the time to attend.
There is no comment on the dismal working conditions and pay of those
who are expected to deliver this agenda.
There is already well-developed ways of accessing cultural
volunteering, so why are really useful web sites like Connector
Scotland having their funding withdrawn!!
Given the key role of culture as an instrument (remedial) tool used
to address Anti Social Behaviour (1.59)(to explore issues and divert
attention), what training will be (or is already) available to
cultural volunteers? Or indeed to paid cultural workers?
Currently most paid workers have no such training!
(unless they studied community arts(?) Social engagement was not on
my curriculum at Art School.
Gaining skills after graduation or should undergraduates get more
preparation whilst studying, it could be training that is offered as
optional whilst at Art School or the RSAMD?
Placements and apprenticeships could be an option?
Increased employment prospects…why are the employment prospects so
crap?
1.65, 1.67. 1.70 (staff training)
What sort of progression would help to enhance artist's income and
support their skills development?
Creative and Cultural Sector Skills Council?????

Please let me have your thoughts.

Yesterday's Sunday Herald reported on the SAU's initial reaction to the Draft
Culture Bill.
Also featured was the news that the SNP are to propose an Irish-style tax break
for artists:

http://www.sundayherald.com/news/heraldnews/
display.var.1152832.0.2000_tax_break_plan_for_artists_living_in_scotland.php

This latter development is, of course, of particular interest to us and will be
discussed at
greater length in the coming months as the various political parties mount their
Scottish
election campaigns and the SAU engage with all their arts and culture
spokespersons.

Terry Anderson
President
Scottish Artists Union

I've been informed by the News Editor this afternoon that the piece will run as
an exclusive
in the Sunday Herald dated 28/1/07

Terry Anderson
President
Scottish Artists Union

--- In saubulletin@..., "saumember15" <saumember15@...> wrote:
>
> Barry Didcock, arts writer for the Sunday Herald, is writing a piece for this
weekend's
paper
> covering the SAU's initial response to the Draft Culture Bill.
>
> Keep an eye out for it!
>
> Terry Anderson
> President
> Scottish Artists Union
>

Barry Didcock, arts writer for the Sunday Herald, is writing a piece for this
weekend's paper
covering the SAU's initial response to the Draft Culture Bill.

Keep an eye out for it!

Terry Anderson
President
Scottish Artists Union