Published in The Herald, Saturday 13th October
Article by Phil Miller
Sir Sandy Crombie, chairman of Creative Scotland also revealed two
board meetings, on October 22 and December 6, will play a crucial role
in the future of the arts funding body.
Sir Sandy, responding
unexpectedly for the second time in a week to the damning letter from
more than 100 artists asking for change at the body, struck a notably
less combative tone than his letter earlier in the week, which was
described as "inadequate" by artists, with a tone of "patrician
emollience".
His first lengthy response to the artists had said that "in choosing
to be concise, you have of course sacrificed the provision of detail at a
level that my board colleagues and I can investigate" and also stated
"they who provide the money have a right to ask what will result from
that investment". Both phrases, among others, antagonised artists.
However, in his second letter, days after a brusque "sort it" message
from Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop, Sir Sandy admitted: "A number of
artists and representative groups are taking issue with how we at
Creative Scotland do things and how we relate to them.
"The board and senior management team are hearing these concerns and
right now are taking stock and absorbing what has been said. I want to
give my personal reassurance that all matters brought to our attention
will be thoroughly considered and, where possible and necessary, that
improvements will be made."
Two inquiries, made up of board members, one led by journalist Ruth
Wishart, a columnist for The Herald's Society page, and the other led by
Barclay Price, chief executive of Arts and Business, will look into the
funding body's operations and its lottery funding.
The two committees will report before Christmas and major changes at
the organ
isation, including in personnel, are expected to be prompted by
their work.
Creative Scotland's problems have been prompted by not only the
removal of "flexible funding", or fixed-term funding, for more than 40
organisations, but also its use of business language, its commissioning
role, and its structure.
Creative Scotland is now also considering establishing a new
"consultative forum" to help inform on issues affecting artists and
organisations.
Sir Sandy, former chief executive of Standard Life, said: "It is also
my intention that we will take informal soundings from a range of those
who care deeply about our role, and how we discharge it, about possible
approaches to dealing with issues before final decisions are taken. I
do not want to put pressure on those we consult by calling them
representatives. However, I hope it will be possible to find approaches
that give us confidence the feedback we receive is representative."
Last night, the leading playwright, David Greig, responded: "This is a
very encouraging statement. I get that sense that the specific concerns
have been heard at Waverley Gate [Creative Scotland's offices in
Edinburgh] and a process of practical change is being put in place.
"Rebuilding trust with the sector will be a more difficult matter. It
will take time but, for the moment, this statement feels like a step in
the right direction."
Yesterday, Ms Hyslop told The Herald: "I strongly believe in direct
communication, that there will be a resolution and a way forward.
"I have made it clear to the board what I expect. They are taking it
very seriously and I expect to see results."
The chairman of Scotland's national arts funding body admitted in a
conciliatory letter it has a major problem in its dealing with artists.
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