On Thursday 6th September, the Stove Network hosted public consultation session on the Draft Culture Strategy by Scottish Government, aiming to encourage individuals to contribute and generate group discussion on the way culture and creativity is part of our society and community.
Since the beginning of 2018, the Scottish Government has been consulting with the people of Scotland on their ideas and aspirations for a National Culture Strategy. This is not simply about the ‘arts’, rather it includes heritage and cultural activity of all kinds and aims to build an understanding of the value of culture as something that should play a part right across the spectrum of society. At the end of June this year, the Scottish Government published a draft of the Cultural Strategy and have asked people to comment on it and contribute ideas for practical activity that will put the Strategy into real and useful action for communities.The consultation event was a great success and it was very useful to be able to discuss certain issues with such a diverse and committed group of colleagues. The event began with an introductory talk by Gwilym Gibbons who is currently CEO of the Crichton Trust and previously has headed up major cultural projects in Perth and the Shetland Islands. Following Gwilym’s introduction, attendees were invited to take part in two facilitated workshops; one looking at the content of the draft strategy and the other to gather ideas for ways that the Culture Strategy could be delivered practically in our region and beyond.
We have now prepared a document for you to view with notes from the discussions. These notes are just the interpretation of the conversations made by the scribes. The Stove will not be attempting to represent the views expressed at the meeting in our submission to the official Consultation. Rather, we will be making our own submission (which may mirror some of the views expressed) and we encourage everyone else to do the same.
Download the document here: Culture Strategy Consultation Event at The Stove Network
Download the official Stove Network response here: Official Stove Response
More information and how to submit your own views can be found here: https://consult.gov.scot/culture-tourism-and-major-events/culture-strategy/
If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to get in touch!
