Scottish Arts Council pledges support for all styles of music in Scotland
27/03/2002
Vision
Our vision is of equity of opportunity in the future across musical styles and musical interests. Any area of music that has a demonstrable need for support in some part of its operation should be accorded equal treatment with any other. There may be a hierarchy of need but not a hierarchy of musical styles. The music and activity that we support will be judged by one common standard – its intrinsic quality.
A strategy for Music in Scotland over the next five years was submitted to the Scottish Arts Council today with proposals to strengthen previously under-funded areas of music such as traditional music, jazz, rock and contemporary classical music.
Background
There has been music in every race, every culture, every community throughout history. There is music for every purpose, every occasion. It requires no language, yet carries identities, cultures and philosophies. Anyone can make music: it is a truly inclusive art.
Scotland has a proud musical heritage and abundant contemporary talent, not only boasting a vibrant living tradition of its own invention, but producing internationally renowned artists such as Annie Lennox, James MacMillan, Aly Bain, Tommy Smith, Evelyn Glennie and Lisa Milne.
The Scottish Arts Council’s active involvement in music embraces both past and present, covering styles and cultures from across the world and also traditions in music and song that are unique to Scotland. The Scottish Arts Council fosters a range of musical interests, serving professional creators and performers of music, their audiences, participants in music-making, and teachers and students of music.
Historically, public funding for music in Scotland, as in the rest of the UK, has concentrated on supporting and celebrating the great western European classical tradition in chamber, orchestral and choral music and opera. In recent years, however, the Scottish Arts Council has begun to widen its funding to encompass jazz and traditional folk music and, lately, the array of styles under the banner of contemporary popular music.
Future
The strategy sets out the Scottish Arts Council’s priorities over the next five years. It will continue to sustain a symphony orchestra (RSNO), an opera company (Scottish Opera) and a chamber orchestra (SCO), all of which enjoy international standing.
But through the strategy priority will be given to increasing support for other less well-established areas of music which nevertheless demonstrate an equal degree of excellence and potential, namely:
- traditional music from all parts of Scotland and beyond;
- contemporary musics such as jazz and improvised music; rock and other styles of popular music; new music from the classical tradition; new music theatre and other mixed work; music from other cultures, and particularly from minority ethnic communities in Scotland.
The Scottish Arts Council will seek to build:
- opportunities for excellence and achievement, both by individuals and organisations;
- a stronger, more stable, professionalised infrastructure to serve musicians and audiences;
- a touring infrastructure to serve audiences across Scotland, including a core of promoters and producers who can successfully present tours, projects, festivals and concert series;
- a network of development workers and agencies which can improve audience access and opportunities for music-making in geographical areas or with particular communities or types of music;
- increased public recognition of the Scottish music industry and its contribution to social, cultural, economic and educational well-being across Scotland.
“Our goal is to create a level playing field for music and support the full diversity of musical life in contemporary Scotland,” said Nod Knowles, Head of Music at the Scottish Arts Council. “Music is a living, constantly changing art and we have a prime responsibility to give every encouragement to those who are making and playing it in our own time as well as reflecting the vibrancy of our unique traditions.”
Notes to editors
- The Scottish Arts Council champions and sustains the arts for Scotland, investing £56 million from Scottish Executive and National Lottery funding to support and develop artistic excellence and creativity throughout Scotland.
- Copies of the strategy are available from Nod Knowles, Head of Music at the Scottish Arts Council. The strategy will shortly be available in published form.
Contact email(s)
media.office@scottisharts.org.uk
Issued by: Scottish Arts Council
|