CULTURE CLUB

The dynamism of the Scottish Executive never ceases to amaze. James Boyle, Chairman of the ‘Culture Commission’ this week presented his interim report on how to re-construct Scottish cultural policy.

So what - after six months have the team with a modest budget of £478,000 a year come up with? What juicy innovation would they leak to talk-up the project and galvanise interest in the process? What would get the chattering classes chattering and the masses battering down the doors for the next production of Scottish Opera?

Wait for it.


They think it might be a good idea to have a Minister in charge of Culture!

Wow. That should fairly shake things up. Boyle stated: "This interim report simply shows the breadth and depth of our first consultation period."

Well yes – clearly. And who are the genii behind such bold vision? Composer Craig Armstrong; George Black, Chief Executive of Glasgow City Council; Gordon Jeyes, Director of Children's Services, Stirling Council; Brian Lang, Principal, University of St Andrew's; Shonaig Macpherson, Senior Partner McGrigors; Colin Marr, Eden Court Theatre; Lucy Mason, Chief Executive of Dance Base; and businessman Ian Ritchie. So basically a few suits, an academic, a local govt functionary, a businessman and a coupe of token ‘artists’. What a joke.

I know few of you will be able to contain your excitement till then, but the second of the three phases of the consultation will start next week and a final report is expected in June 2005.