Priorities for music

The Scottish Arts Council Business Plan identifies priorities for 2009/10. The Music department, which includes the Youth Music Initiative (YMI), will work within these priorities to support a vibrant, creative, innovative and successful music industry in Scotland.

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

We will:

• maintain support for the continuing professional development of musicians and increase funding for recording, creativity and new work – we are the only UK arts council that invests in recordings in this way;
• continue to support professional musicians, teachers and organisations through YMI to develop and improve their professional practice and ability to deliver high quality music making activities for young people;
• develop the music industry infrastructure in Scotland, including key promoters, venues and festivals;
• maintain support for our sector forum development programme, now encompassing traditional music, jazz, chamber music and contemporary popular music;
• promote Scotland’s musicians internationally, prioritising Showcase Scotland (at Celtic Connections), SXSW (South by South West), APAP (Association of Performing Arts Presenters) and Womex, whilst continuing to develop the Showcase Scotland brand at many other national and international symposiums.

2. Secure the foundation of Scotland's artistic development

As a result of our Strategic Review in 2005/06, we agreed funding in principle on a five year cycle (2007/08 – 2011/12) for nine Music Foundation Organisations which have a key role in creating and presenting work of high quality locally and nationally. 

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 both the major international information hub for the music industry in Scotland and the repository of music created in Scotland with archive and interactive hire facilities available on line;
• two key venues in Scotland; An Lanntair, a dedicated multi-arts and performance centre serving the communities of the Western Isles, and Horsecross Arts encompassing the Perth Theatre and inspirational concert hall facilities.

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 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.

Sixteen music organisations will receive Flexible Funding in 2009/10-2010/11.

We will also expand our commitment to the crucially important Tune Up music touring programme, which so successfully exemplifies Scotland the brand.

The Youth Music Initiative will continue to develop new pathways and support structures for young musicians, bands and acts and who are engaging in music making independently through their own exploration.

4. Create opportunities for participation in the arts

The Youth Music Initiative will continue to support high quality music programmes for young people in all learning contexts within and out-with of school; creating clear pathways and opportunities for engagement for all levels of ability through funding for all 32 local authorities and youth music sector organisations.

We will also maintain and develop our funding relationship with the National Youth Orchestras of Scotland, National Choir of Scotland, National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland and the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland. 

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

We will:

• invest in and support the development of Youth Music Initiative music forums that are drawing together the expertise and experience of local youth music providers for the benefit of young people;
• continue to support and develop the two Youth Music Initiative Strategic Music Partnerships in Glasgow and Aberdeen City/Aberdeenshire.

6. Make the transition to Creative Scotland