By Grant Smith

CALLING A new national body for arts and culture Creative Scotland has been branded “naff, vague and meaningless” by a leading figure in the Dundee arts scene.

Clara Young, who was lead art curator at the McManus Galleries for 26 years, also criticised a lack of funding for the arts in Dundee, leading to staff cuts.

She was responding to a consultation by the Scottish Executive on its proposals for merging the Scottish Arts Council and film promotion organisation Scottish Screen.

A report on the dozens of responses received from official groups and individuals was published yesterday. It noted that while most responses were in favour of the merger, many wanted clarification of the new body’s role.

There was also a strongly expressed view that ministers should not have the power to interfere with artistic judgments, and concern that pursuing the economic benefits of arts and culture risked diminishing the importance of “art for art’s sake.”

In her response, Ms Young said, “Scotland’s unique culture and heritage was one of the main reasons that many Scots welcomed devolution in the first place, and it has been disappointing that up to now very little has been done for it.”

She “totally deplores” the proposed title for the merged body. “Creativity does not in fact have an exclusive connection with arts and culture, as I am sure many people have pointed out to you. So at the very least you should call the new body Creative Arts Scotland.”

She felt there was a risk that too much effort was being spent on participation in the arts as an exercise in social engineering, to the detriment of people who, for example, simply wanted to enjoy good-quality, well-displayed exhibitions.

“Dundee is putting absolutely vast cash and staffing resources into social inclusion projects, which are very worthwhile, of course, but should not be used to deprive genuine artists and art lovers of the service provision they might justifiably expect.

“I used to joke that it was easier for a kid who had been expelled from school to exhibit his work in the McManus Galleries than for a talented local professional artist to do the same.”

She noted there had been a 10% increase in national arts spending, which was better than nothing, but still meant Creative Scotland would have to be very careful how it allocated its money.

As an example of the financial pressures the sector was under, she said that Dundee Art Galleries and Museums has not received a penny in revenue funding to buy works of art since local government reorganisation in 1996.

“I don’t know if it is widely known how far support for local museums has fallen in some towns and cities. In Dundee since 1980 curatorial and educational staff members have fallen from 12 to nine full-timers, while technical and conservation staff have fallen from seven to four, with clerical and security staff reduced by 50%,” she said.

Also taking part in the Executive’s consultation was Dundee Contemporary Arts director Clive Gillman, who said that Creative Scotland seemed to lack an over-arching vision.

“Without a clear statement of a mission for the organisation there will always be a concern that not enough is being done or, worse still, wasteful struggles over direction.”

That was further complicated by a potential for political influence which would force the new body towards short-term solutions that would do little to support any of the longer-term aims set out by the previous Executive when the merger was proposed. It would also lead to a “master and servant” relationship between the Executive and Creative Scotland, he said.

He suggests amending the draft Bill to state that ministers can issue guidance to Creative Scotland, but “excluding matters of artistic content.”