Arts & Business Scotland (A&BS) has revealed the key cultural challenges facing arts organisations in the Highlands following an extensive consultation process last year. The consultation analysed the views of over 300 participants in consultation roadshow events in spring 2014 as well as 143 responses to a national survey targeting organisations and individuals across the arts, heritage and cultural sectors.
Moray Arts Centre
A&BS Chief Executive David Watt said: “Arts & Business Scotland is committed to supporting the arts and providing a framework for a thriving and sustainable cultural sector. Our consultation process was very much about ensuring we are equipped with the knowledge to do this effectively, enabling us to address the challenges being faced by the sector both nationally and regionally.”
It has emerged that the key challenges facing cultural organisations in the Highlands are infrastructure and technology; lack of resources (including funding); a lack of vision; an aversion to risk taking and; a shortage of collaboration and partnership working. More than anywhere else in Scotland, the infrastructure challenges in the region present significant barriers to participation in the arts and culture.
The analysis of consultation response also highlighted lack of time, people and energy as an issue with an over-reliance on a small group of people to support cultural activity. An aversion to risk taking along with a fear of losing ownership were identified as barriers as well as a lack of enthusiasm among local businesses to collaborate with, or support for the arts.
The issues raised in the Highlands differ to the rest of Scotland where the top five national challenges were identified as:
1. Lack of regional cultural cohesion and vision
2. Identifying and realising sustainable funding streams
3. Sourcing and developing skills in the arts, heritage and cultural sector
4. Creating successful collaboration and partnership working
5. Promoting and increasing awareness of the value of arts and culture
A&BS will be hosting a Development Forum at the Eden Court Theatre, Bishops Road, Inverness IV3 5SA on Thursday 19th March.
David Watt added:
“The Highlands are a unique part of Scotland and it’s no surprise the cultural challenges faced in the region differ greatly to the rest of the country. Being able to identify what these are is a huge help in enabling us to address the issues and we look forward to positive engagement with the sector through our series of development forums.
