Fiona Hyslop, Scottish minister for culture and external affairs, has set out the difference between the Scottish and UK governments’ approaches to culture.
In a speech at Edinburgh’s Talbot Rice Gallery in June, she said: “I agree with [Maria Miller, UK culture secretary] in thinking that the economic effects of culture are valuable.
I profoundly disagree, however, in seeing that as its only, or most important, value.
“We believe that public funding of the arts is a fundamental good, and we want the opportunity to take this to new heights.
“An independent Scotland will be a place where our heritage is collectively celebrated, valued, nurtured and supported across the public, private and third sector.”
Mark Taylor, director of the Museums Association, said: “It is true to say that Miller is battling with the Treasury and people interested only in bean counting, while Hyslop is more cushioned by a sympathetic executive.”
But one source in the Scottish museum sector said: “Sponsoring an English national to revitalise Dundee seems to contradict the entire ethos of the statement and is symptomatic of the real view of the perceived abilities of the Scottish heritage sector.
“Not to mention the fact that fewer local authorities sponsor museums services than did before the Scottish National Party came to power, and that the minimum Arts Council England gives out is £40,000, which is the maximum Museums Galleries Scotland has to offer.”
In a speech at Edinburgh’s Talbot Rice Gallery in June, she said: “I agree with [Maria Miller, UK culture secretary] in thinking that the economic effects of culture are valuable.
I profoundly disagree, however, in seeing that as its only, or most important, value.
“We believe that public funding of the arts is a fundamental good, and we want the opportunity to take this to new heights.
“An independent Scotland will be a place where our heritage is collectively celebrated, valued, nurtured and supported across the public, private and third sector.”
Mark Taylor, director of the Museums Association, said: “It is true to say that Miller is battling with the Treasury and people interested only in bean counting, while Hyslop is more cushioned by a sympathetic executive.”
But one source in the Scottish museum sector said: “Sponsoring an English national to revitalise Dundee seems to contradict the entire ethos of the statement and is symptomatic of the real view of the perceived abilities of the Scottish heritage sector.
“Not to mention the fact that fewer local authorities sponsor museums services than did before the Scottish National Party came to power, and that the minimum Arts Council England gives out is £40,000, which is the maximum Museums Galleries Scotland has to offer.”
