Priorities for music

The Scottish Arts Council Corporate Plan identifies priorities for 2007-2009 and the Music Department will work within these priorities to achieve a vibrant, creative, innovative and successful music industry in Scotland.

1. Increase the scope and quality of our support for artists

We will:

• significantly increase funds to support the continuing professional development of musicians and increase the funding for recording, creativity and new work – we are the only UK arts council that invests in recordings in this way
• increase Youth Music Initiative support for professional teachers and organisations to develop careers and broaden access routes across both formal and informal sectors
• develop the music industry infrastructure in Scotland, including key promoters, venues and festivals
• expand our sector forum development programme, now encompassing traditional music, jazz, chamber music and contemporary music
• set up a new Scottish Music Industry Body, with the Scottish Executive, Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise
• promote Scotland’s musicians internationally, prioritising Showcase Scotland (at Celtic Connections), SXSW (South by South West) and Womex, whilst continuing to successfully develop the Showcase Scotland brand at many other international symposiums.

2. Secure the foundation of Scotland's artistic development

We have agreed funding at an enhanced level on a five year cycle for seven music Foundation Organisations, whose reach and role have a national and international impact.

They are:

• two national youth music organisations: National Youth Orchestras of Scotland and National Youth Choir of Scotland
• three Gaelic arts/music organisations: Fèisean nan Gàidheal, Fèis Rois and Pròiseact nan Ealan, the Gaelic arts development agency.
• the Scottish Ensemble, now established as one of Europe’s most significant performing ensembles
• the Scottish Music Centre is the major international information hub for the music industry in Scotland, and is now housed in state-of-the-art facilities at the City Halls in Glasgow.

3. Create flexibility to support the new and innovative

We wish to create an environment where the new and the innovative can flourish, and we have set up a pool of project and programme funding, which will allow more flexible investment. We will also expand our commitment to the crucially important Tune Up music touring programme.

We will target the following areas:

• key promoters
• festivals and venues
• new work and creativity
• touring
• showcasing
• contemporary popular music
• traditional music
• small groups and ensembles
• jazz sector development
• chamber music.

Multi-year funding commitments will be made to:

• Theatre Cryptic
• Making Music Scotland
• Enterprise Music Scotland
• St Magnus Festival
• Traditional Music and Song Association.

4. Create opportunities for participation in the arts

• Enterprise Music Scotland, to develop their touring circuit with key promoters
• Making Music Scotland, to expand their activities with music societies
• the Adult Learning Project and the Traditional Music and Song Association to deliver a range of initiatives which promote access to and enjoyment of Scottish music
• the National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland and the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland, for the first time recognising the multi-faceted nature of the music industry
• BBC Scotland and new media company Inner Ear/Radio Magnetic to provide BBC Radio Scotland broadcast and unique artists’ podcasts for every Tune Up tour.

5. Build a culture of co-operation with partners and the arts community

• continue support for YMI, which has already established a good relationship with all 32 local authorities, informal providers and the higher and further education sectors
• invest in the development of sector forums, such as the Traditional Music Forum, Scottish Jazz Federation, Scottish Music Industry Body/Association and a new Chamber Music Forum.

6. Make the transition to Creative Scotland