Centre for Cultural Policy Research

In a lecture organized by the Centre for Cultural Policy Research, and delivered on 18 April, Michael Russell MSP for Argyll and Bute, considered the history of cultural policy in Scotland, from the Arts Council of Great Britain to Creative Scotland. Mr Russell, also Professor in Scottish Culture and Governance at the University of Glasgow, and sometime Minister of Culture in the Scottish Government, argued that the goals and purposes of cultural policy had become far too complex, the assessment of support needed to be simplified, the exercise of responsibility by arts agencies had been eroded by systems of accountability and much more confidence was needed in giving artists their heads. This radical look at current policy led to lively questioning by the audience. Professor Philip Schlesinger chaired the lecture.

First published: 18 April 2016