Priorities for literature
The Scottish Arts Council Corporate Plan identifies priorities for 2007-2009. We will work within these priorities to maintain a vibrant and dynamic literature sector.
We will substantially increase support for writers’ bursaries, writing fellowships and literature development workers, by £180,000. We will double funds to strengthen professional development and augment the new Programme Publishing fund by £35,000 to reflect a sharper focus on the creative industries.
Funding uplifts to Scottish Book Trust and the Edinburgh International Book Festival will allow fees to authors for readings and workshops to increase by 50% to £150.
From 2007, our distinguished Book Awards will undergo a significant re-structure and expansion, with the aid of commercial sponsorship, to make them the largest literary prizes in Scotland.
We have agreed funding at an enhanced level on a five year cycle for six literature Foundation Organisations, whose reach and role have a national or international impact. We will use our Quality Framework to help them to develop best practice in all areas. The Foundation Organisations are:
All but one of the 10 national literature and language organisations will receive uplifts to their funding to consolidate and enhance delivery. We will continue our support to the Scottish Publishers Association, which will receive a significant uplift of £32,000 to support its restructuring as Publishing Scotland, and in recognition of its strategic national role in publishing and the creative industries.
The two Scots language organisations, Scottish Language Dictionaries and the Scots Language Centre will receive more modest uplifts in the context of possible developments in support for languages as summarised in the Scottish Executive’s Scotland’s Culture. Moniack Mhor will receive continued support at standstill level, pending potential capital developments.
Project-funding for the innovative Itchy Coo project (outreach and education) will be introduced for 2007-2009. Similarly, a new commitment to Edinburgh Unesco City of Literature continues our support for this major national and international initiative.
Our increased support for artists, particularly through writing fellowships and literature development workers, will contribute to a transformational agenda in their different locales. In addition, the national burgeoning of literature festivals and audiences for live literature, with a strong geographical dimension, is reflected in enhanced funding for such events.
We will introduce a substantial two-year funding arrangement for the Scottish Review of Books, and continue to support the Scottish Publishers Association’s e-commerce portal BooksfromScotland.com.
We will fund an independent feasibility study into establishing a centre for the support of translation and promotion of literature.
We will continue to work in collaboration with the Literature Forum for Scotland to further the creative co-operation and robust consensus across the sector which has enabled a culture of expansion and innovation.
The formal process of merging our roles and responsibilities with those of Scottish Screen began in January 2007, with the formation of a new board, whose members were drawn from the two existing bodies. We look forward to working with the new board to achieve a smooth transition into Creative Scotland. Together we will continue to develop the vision for the new organisation. |