Scottish Government
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Communities shape their culture

People who traditionally find it difficult to enjoy and participate in Scotland's cultural and creative life can do so if activities are better planned and co-ordinated at local level.

That's the finding from an evaluation of the Cultural Pathfinder Programme, which supported 13 pilot projects throughout Scotland over two years, exploring practical ways to get people involved in cultural activities. The projects reached out to groups who had previously faced barriers to participation, such as older people, vulnerable and rural communities, children and young people, and minority ethnic communities, ensuring an additional 50,000 people across Scotland were able to explore and enjoy creative opportunities.

Less formal approaches adopted by the projects allowed communities to determine their own cultural interests, shaping what happened in their area. Taking culture out of traditional venues and into local communities meant that activities could be enjoyed in familiar surroundings. Measures such as these were key to sustaining involvement and commitment from local people.

Examples included:

  • The creation of a community arts facility from disused buildings, bringing enterprise into a regeneration priority site in Clackmannanshire.
  • The Highland Promise: a pledge scheme for school children in the Highlands during 2007 that enabled them to take part in activities to which they might not otherwise have access. Pupils themselves had a voice in shaping the options for their schools. In one primary school, every one of its 300 plus pupils performed in a professionally-produced, spectacular outdoor performance, attended by huge numbers from their local community.
  • Bring your Baby project which gave families and carers of young children in areas of multiple deprivation across Renfrewshire and Inverclyde access to a range of cultural activities in local libraries. This promoted learning, literacy and life skills in a non-threatening environment.

Commenting on the evaluation of the Programme, Culture Minister Michael Russell said:

"Giving people opportunities to discover and explore their own creativity can ultimately change lives. That is why we are committed to ensuring that as many people as possible can take part in creative activities. Scotland's local authorities have a key role and should seek to ensure cultural services meet the needs of their residents. I look forward to discussing these issues at an event with local government and other key players later in the year."

CoSLA spokesman Cllr Harry McGuigan said:

"This evaluation confirms just how vital it is to work locally in tandem with communities if we are to increase take-up and impact of cultural opportunities. There is a wealth of experience in local government and we look forward to working with the Scottish Government and our other partners to support long-term cultural vibrancy, participation and creativity across all of Scotland's communities."

Morag Arnot, Deputy Director, Scottish Arts Council:

"The Scottish Arts Council supported three of the Pathfinder projects and welcomes the publication of this report. The Report identifies some of the key challenges as well as the success factors for cultural planning and provides valuable lessons for all those who have an existing or potential role to play in widening access to culture throughout Scotland."

Clackmannanshire Council Cultural Planner Kathleen O'Neill said:

"The Pathfinder, run as a drop-in facility in Tullibody, meant that local people were able to 'drop' culture into their everyday lives. For some, meeting artists in the shopping centre meant brave new work - being courageous and building confidence. For others, it meant development of existing skills, towards enterprising outcomes like sales, exhibitions, family portraiture, social diaries, and even returning to employment. For all, it meant a demystification of arts and culture and one which opened doorways to choice, as artists/ makers and members of a valued 'creative common unity'.

"Success of the Pathfinder means the trail continues: Clackmannanshire Council through Creative Life Style projects, Public Art and Craft programmes have continued to support the Artshop. This is a valuable resource that truly emphasises person centred learning and provides a national model of practice for Cultural and Community Planning."

Councillor Deidre Brock, City of Edinburgh Council's Culture and Leisure Convenor, said:

"We were very pleased to have received Pathfinder status from the Scottish Government for our pioneering survey exploring how we could encourage as many Edinburgh residents as possible to access culture and sport. The Access to Sport and Culture Edinburgh initiative was a substantial piece of work over the course of 2008 which canvassed the views of more than 19,000 residents.

"Following the consultation, we are now actively working on a new 'Pledge' for organisations and partnerships to sign up to, which will directly address existing barriers hindering people from participating in culture and sport . There is a huge appetite for culture and sport in Edinburgh and we and our partners have a collective responsibility to maximise opportunities for participation and to provide accessible venues which are fit for purpose and offer value for money."

The Scottish Government provided just over £660,000 pounds over 2 years (2006-07 and 2007-08) to the Programme. Local authorities and their partners also made a significant contribution in cash and in kind (details in the report).

The Programme provides a useful legacy for Creative Scotland and will inform its work to encourage as many people as possible to access and participate in culture and creativity.

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