2006
January
Creative Scotland is registered as a Limited Company at Companies House on 20 January.
Scotland's Culture: Scottish Executive Response to the Cultural Review published
March
Achievement Audit: The National Cultural Strategy 2000-2004 published
August
A Policy on Architecture in Scotland published.
November
Scottish Executive appoints a Joint Board to oversee increased joint working between SAC and Scottish Screen*. The Board appoints a task force. The Board initially includes film producer Iain Smith, a board member of Scottish Screen.
December
Draft Culture (Scotland) Bill issued for consultation.
Arts and Employability Report published.
2007
January
Jack McConnell opens Highland 2007 in Inverness. Unique Events (Edinburgh) is contracted for the opening ceremony. The Highland culture on display during the opening ceremony is a pipe band and a brief outdoor set by Blazin' Fiddles, miming to playback because of the cold.
February
Public Attitudes to Design in Scotland published
April
Glasgow City Council Cultural and Leisure Services becomes Culture and Sport Glasgow, a company with charitable status, headed by Bridget McConnell.
Cross-Portfolio Cultural Initiatives for 2006 Report published
May
Linda Fabiani MSP becomes Minister for Europe, External Affairs, Culture and Gaelic, Alex Salmond having replaced Jack McConnell as First Minister.
September
Anne Bonnar (Bonnar Keenlyside) is appointed Transition Director for Creative Scotland at a salary of £10,000 per month.
November
A report in the Herald newspaper estimates that a further £200,000 has been spent on nine further consultancy firms involved in the transition:- John Knell, Intelligence Agency; Tom Fleming, Creative Consultany; Lesley Thomson, Liddell Thomson management consultancy; Lettoch Associates; Miles Harrison**; David Teasdale; Deloitte Touche; Mike Kidd Associates; The Hayes Group.
January
Creative Scotland is registered as a Limited Company at Companies House on 20 January.
Scotland's Culture: Scottish Executive Response to the Cultural Review published
March
Achievement Audit: The National Cultural Strategy 2000-2004 published
August
A Policy on Architecture in Scotland published.
November
Scottish Executive appoints a Joint Board to oversee increased joint working between SAC and Scottish Screen*. The Board appoints a task force. The Board initially includes film producer Iain Smith, a board member of Scottish Screen.
December
Draft Culture (Scotland) Bill issued for consultation.
Arts and Employability Report published.
2007
January
Jack McConnell opens Highland 2007 in Inverness. Unique Events (Edinburgh) is contracted for the opening ceremony. The Highland culture on display during the opening ceremony is a pipe band and a brief outdoor set by Blazin' Fiddles, miming to playback because of the cold.
February
Public Attitudes to Design in Scotland published
April
Glasgow City Council Cultural and Leisure Services becomes Culture and Sport Glasgow, a company with charitable status, headed by Bridget McConnell.
Cross-Portfolio Cultural Initiatives for 2006 Report published
May
Linda Fabiani MSP becomes Minister for Europe, External Affairs, Culture and Gaelic, Alex Salmond having replaced Jack McConnell as First Minister.
September
Anne Bonnar (Bonnar Keenlyside) is appointed Transition Director for Creative Scotland at a salary of £10,000 per month.
November
A report in the Herald newspaper estimates that a further £200,000 has been spent on nine further consultancy firms involved in the transition:- John Knell, Intelligence Agency; Tom Fleming, Creative Consultany; Lesley Thomson, Liddell Thomson management consultancy; Lettoch Associates; Miles Harrison**; David Teasdale; Deloitte Touche; Mike Kidd Associates; The Hayes Group.
2008
February 25-27
Scotland: Creative Nation - A Cultural Summit (EICC)
The Keynote Excellence Debate on the first day is chaired by Joyce McMillan, with Sir Brian McMaster, Mark Cousins, Janet Smith and Vicky Featherstone.
March
Culture Bill introduced. Useful background report on Culture Bill here
May
Consultation on Draft Culture Bill (Scotland) published.
June
Stage 1 Report on the Creative Scotland Bill is published by the Scottish Parliament.
MSPs reject the Financial Memorandum
"Initial transition costs for Creative Scotland were given at £700,000 in its Financial Memorandum, they were then raised to £1.4 million, and now they are speculated as being anything from £2m to £7m." (Variant archive)
September
Linda Fabiani announces that there will be no further delay in establishing Creative Scotland which will begin life as a company limited by guarantee.
December
Creative Scotland (2009) Ltd registered at Companies House.
Traditional Arts Working Group set up, chaired by David Francis.
Culture Delivers published
2009
January 29th
The board of Creative Scotland (2009) Ltd meets for the first time. Chair Ewan Brown (on a pro bono basis) is joined by Dr Chris Masters CBE and Peter Cabrelli, and Richard Holloway as link with the Joint Board of SAC and SS. Sheena McDonald and Phil Cunningham are appointed later (the latter is the last to be appointed, in June 2009).
February 25-27
Scotland: Creative Nation - A Cultural Summit (EICC)
The Keynote Excellence Debate on the first day is chaired by Joyce McMillan, with Sir Brian McMaster, Mark Cousins, Janet Smith and Vicky Featherstone.
March
Culture Bill introduced. Useful background report on Culture Bill here
May
Consultation on Draft Culture Bill (Scotland) published.
June
Stage 1 Report on the Creative Scotland Bill is published by the Scottish Parliament.
MSPs reject the Financial Memorandum
"Initial transition costs for Creative Scotland were given at £700,000 in its Financial Memorandum, they were then raised to £1.4 million, and now they are speculated as being anything from £2m to £7m." (Variant archive)
September
Linda Fabiani announces that there will be no further delay in establishing Creative Scotland which will begin life as a company limited by guarantee.
December
Creative Scotland (2009) Ltd registered at Companies House.
Traditional Arts Working Group set up, chaired by David Francis.
Culture Delivers published
2009
January 29th
The board of Creative Scotland (2009) Ltd meets for the first time. Chair Ewan Brown (on a pro bono basis) is joined by Dr Chris Masters CBE and Peter Cabrelli, and Richard Holloway as link with the Joint Board of SAC and SS. Sheena McDonald and Phil Cunningham are appointed later (the latter is the last to be appointed, in June 2009).
February
Mike Russell becomes Minister for Culture, External Affairs and the Constitution
March
Iain Smith resigns from the Joint Board. He is quoted as saying "I have resigned from frustration, and a sense that the board of which I was a member is just marking time, is no longer looking to the future, and is not in control of its own actions....The urgency to get Creative Scotland together as quickly as possible, and the concern for a need for speed, will come at the cost of proper outcomes." He is not replaced.
June
Over two days, FST and NTS, supported by the SAC, host an Open Space meeting in Glasgow for the theatre and dance sectors to discuss the future of theatre and dance in Scotland. Sheena McDonald attends. The question asked: "what’s our dream future for Theatre and Dance in a new decade?" A report is compiled and submitted to the government as part of their response to the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Bill that (eventually) establishes Creative Scotland.
Scottish Creative Industries Partnership Report published; it brings together Scottish Local Government, Creative Scotland, Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise in a partnership setting out recommendations on how creative industries will be supported in future.
August
Get set...Go: A Games Legacy For Scotland published
September
Creative Scotland Dialogue, Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh.
Mike Russell MSP, Minister for Culture, Richard Holloway, Chair of the joint Scottish Screen/SAC Board and Ewan Brown, Chair of Creative Scotland 2009 Ltd attend. The chair is Ruth Wishart.
Around this time a new website appears with Creative Scotland 'provocations'.
Opportunities for Broadcasting - Taking Our National Conversation Forward is published
October
Creative Scotland Dialogue, Perth Concert Hall.
Mike Russell MSP, Minister for Culture, Richard Holloway, Chair of the joint Scottish Screen/SAC Board and Ewan Brown, Chair of Creative Scotland 2009 Ltd attend. The chair is Ruth Wishart.
November
Creative Industries Key Sector Report published.
People and Culture in Scotland 2008 published
December
Fiona Hyslop becomes Minister for Culture and External Affairs ( a non-Cabinet post) and Mike Russell becomes Cabinet Secretary for Education.
2010
January
Creative Scotland Dialogue, Easterbrook Hall, Dumfries. Fiona Hyslop attends, with Richard Holloway, Ewan Brown and Ruth Wishart. Summary of points here.
Traditional Arts Working Group Report published
February
Andrew Dixon appointed as acting Director of Creative Scotland
Literature Working Group Report published.
There are forty-three poets here travelling in a ferry
Designed to carry six passengers safely across the river;
One cannot help wondering whether this administration
Is as sympathetic to literature as it claims to be. Frank Kuppner, A Bad Day for the Sung Dynasty
March
EKOS interim report on The Year of Homecoming 2009 is published ***. It estimates generation of an additional £53.7million of tourist revenue against the Moffat Centre scoping report estimate of £160million (though this figure is later disputed).
April
National Performing Companies 2007/8 and 2008/9 Report published
May
Scottish Screen is merged with the Scottish Arts Council under Andrew Dixon's supervision.
Fourth and last Creative Scotland Dialogue event, at the Briggait in Glasgow on May 25th. Andrew Dixon, Richard Holloway, Ruth Wishart and Ewan Brown attend.
The first of five Years of Focus, promoted by Event Scotland, Visit Scotland and Scotland Food and Drink begins; The Year of Scottish Food and Drink.
June
First Board of Creative Scotland announced. Chair: Sir Sandy Crombie, whose appointment is to run from July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2014, part-time, with an anticipated time commitment of up to 10 days per month and remuneration of £250 per day (which he does not take).
Robin MacPherson, Gwilym Gibbons, Dr Gary West and Ruth Wishart are appointed for four years - ending on June 30, 2014, Steve Grimmond, Barclay Price, Professor Gayle McPherson and Peter Cabrelli for two years - ending on June 30, 2012.
Mike Russell becomes Minister for Culture, External Affairs and the Constitution
March
Iain Smith resigns from the Joint Board. He is quoted as saying "I have resigned from frustration, and a sense that the board of which I was a member is just marking time, is no longer looking to the future, and is not in control of its own actions....The urgency to get Creative Scotland together as quickly as possible, and the concern for a need for speed, will come at the cost of proper outcomes." He is not replaced.
June
Over two days, FST and NTS, supported by the SAC, host an Open Space meeting in Glasgow for the theatre and dance sectors to discuss the future of theatre and dance in Scotland. Sheena McDonald attends. The question asked: "what’s our dream future for Theatre and Dance in a new decade?" A report is compiled and submitted to the government as part of their response to the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Bill that (eventually) establishes Creative Scotland.
Scottish Creative Industries Partnership Report published; it brings together Scottish Local Government, Creative Scotland, Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise in a partnership setting out recommendations on how creative industries will be supported in future.
August
Get set...Go: A Games Legacy For Scotland published
September
Creative Scotland Dialogue, Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh.
Mike Russell MSP, Minister for Culture, Richard Holloway, Chair of the joint Scottish Screen/SAC Board and Ewan Brown, Chair of Creative Scotland 2009 Ltd attend. The chair is Ruth Wishart.
Around this time a new website appears with Creative Scotland 'provocations'.
Opportunities for Broadcasting - Taking Our National Conversation Forward is published
October
Creative Scotland Dialogue, Perth Concert Hall.
Mike Russell MSP, Minister for Culture, Richard Holloway, Chair of the joint Scottish Screen/SAC Board and Ewan Brown, Chair of Creative Scotland 2009 Ltd attend. The chair is Ruth Wishart.
November
Creative Industries Key Sector Report published.
People and Culture in Scotland 2008 published
December
Fiona Hyslop becomes Minister for Culture and External Affairs ( a non-Cabinet post) and Mike Russell becomes Cabinet Secretary for Education.
2010
January
Creative Scotland Dialogue, Easterbrook Hall, Dumfries. Fiona Hyslop attends, with Richard Holloway, Ewan Brown and Ruth Wishart. Summary of points here.
Traditional Arts Working Group Report published
February
Andrew Dixon appointed as acting Director of Creative Scotland
Literature Working Group Report published.
There are forty-three poets here travelling in a ferry
Designed to carry six passengers safely across the river;
One cannot help wondering whether this administration
Is as sympathetic to literature as it claims to be. Frank Kuppner, A Bad Day for the Sung Dynasty
March
EKOS interim report on The Year of Homecoming 2009 is published ***. It estimates generation of an additional £53.7million of tourist revenue against the Moffat Centre scoping report estimate of £160million (though this figure is later disputed).
April
National Performing Companies 2007/8 and 2008/9 Report published
May
Scottish Screen is merged with the Scottish Arts Council under Andrew Dixon's supervision.
Fourth and last Creative Scotland Dialogue event, at the Briggait in Glasgow on May 25th. Andrew Dixon, Richard Holloway, Ruth Wishart and Ewan Brown attend.
The first of five Years of Focus, promoted by Event Scotland, Visit Scotland and Scotland Food and Drink begins; The Year of Scottish Food and Drink.
June
First Board of Creative Scotland announced. Chair: Sir Sandy Crombie, whose appointment is to run from July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2014, part-time, with an anticipated time commitment of up to 10 days per month and remuneration of £250 per day (which he does not take).
Robin MacPherson, Gwilym Gibbons, Dr Gary West and Ruth Wishart are appointed for four years - ending on June 30, 2014, Steve Grimmond, Barclay Price, Professor Gayle McPherson and Peter Cabrelli for two years - ending on June 30, 2012.
July
Creative Scotland is formally established on July 1st, with reduced numbers of administrative staff. It inherits the corporate plan for 2010/2011 prepared by the joint board of SAC and Scottish Screen.
There is controversy about the logo's cost (widely said to be £25,000 but reportedly closer to £9000) and the fact that it does not include Gaelic despite a public commitment on the new website (designed by the Leith Agency) to support Gaelic. The new website contains a Forum area which invites comments. Most of them are adverse comments on the logo, the website or both.
August
Creative Scotland's Board holds its first meeting
September
Publication of Education and the Arts, Culture and Creativity: an Action Plan by the Scottish Government with an introduction by Michael Russell, Fiona Hyslop and Keith Brown
Creative Scotland's Board holds its second meeting at 249 West George St, Glasgow
December
Scottish Government Response to the Traditional Arts Working Group Report published
Creative Scotland's Board holds its third meeting at Manor Place, Edinburgh.
2011
February
National Performing Companies Report published
Creative Scotland's Board holds its fourth meeting and Board Away Day, at DCA in Dundee.
March
Creative Scotland publishes its Corporate Plan 2011 - 2014 with a series of roadshows around the country at which Andrew Dixon explains the Plan.
The Scottish Government publishes its strategy for the Creative Industries 'Growth Talent and Ambition'
Scotland's Digital Future: A Strategy published
Creative Scotland's Board holds its fifth meeting, at Waverley Gate, Edinburgh.
May
The Year of Scottish Food and Drink ends. The Year of Active Scotland begins.
June
Creative Scotland's board holds its sixth meeting.
August
FST dance working group publishes Dance in Scotland Report written by Lucy Mason
September
First audited accounts for Creative Scotland released.
Scoping study into the Economic Impact of the Arts and Creative Industries in Scotland published by Creative Scotland
Creative Scotland's Board holds its seventh meeting.
November
Fiona Hyslop returns to the Cabinet, becoming Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs.
December
Creative Scotland's Board holds its eighth meeting.
2012
March
National Performing Companies - Annual Report of Activity 2010/11 published
Creative Scotland's Board holds its ninth meeting, at Eden Court Theatre in Inverness.
May
David Greig, playwright, publishes an open letter to Creative Scotland
The Year of Active Scotland ends. The Year of Creative Scotland begins.
June
Christine Hamilton's Theatre Sector Review is published.
Open letter to Creative Scotland from the Scottish Contemporary Arts network is published
Open letter to Creative Scotland from Scotland's dance community is published
Creative Scotland's Board holds its tenth meeting
July
Fiona Hyslop writes a public letter to Sandy Crombie.
Devoted and Disgruntled Roadshow, Edinburgh, part of a series of Open Space meetings about the state of theatre in the UK
September
Fiona Hyslop writes a second public letter to Sandy Crombie.
Devoted and Disgruntled, Roadshow, Inverness.
Creative Scotland's board holds its eleventh meeting.
Education & Culture committee takes evidence from Andrew Dixon, head of Creative Scotland. Also giving evidence are artist Matt Baker, Gwilym Gibbons (Director, Shetland Arts) and Francis McKee, Director of the Centre for Contemporary Arts.
October
Open letter to Sir Sandy Crombie, signed by over 100 artists, is published.
Open Space Meeting on Creative Scotland in Edinburgh
World Cafe Meeting at Tramway in Glasgow
Dance Sector Review published.
December
Creative Scotland's Board holds its twelfth meeting, over two days in Pitlochry. Andrew Dixon and Venu Dhupa are not in attendance and apologies are not minuted. Reports from the Lottery Sub Group (Barclays Price, Steve Grimmond & Robin McPherson) and the Operations & Capacity Sub Group (chaired by Ruth Wishart) are presented (downloadable here)
Creative Scotland Awards ceremony in Kelvingrove. It is a black tie event, co-sponsored by the Daily Record, and has an all-male judging panel. There is criticism.
Andrew Dixon resigns as CEO, Creative Scotland.
Venu Dhupa resigns as Director of Creative Development.
*Scottish Screen was formed in 1997, an amalgamation of the Scottish Film Council (SFC), the Scottish Film Production Fund (SFPF), Scottish Screen Locations (SSL), and Scottish Broadcast and Film Training Ltd. (SBFT). It was a company limited by guarantee with the status of Executive NDPB, grant funded by the Scottish Executive who appointed all its members.
** Miles Harrison is not a consultant but a facilitator. He was asked to facilitate all staff meetings with SAC and Scottish Screen about staff views on the transition.
*** To download the report, search here under Homecoming Scotland 2009 EKOS Report.
Creative Scotland is formally established on July 1st, with reduced numbers of administrative staff. It inherits the corporate plan for 2010/2011 prepared by the joint board of SAC and Scottish Screen.
There is controversy about the logo's cost (widely said to be £25,000 but reportedly closer to £9000) and the fact that it does not include Gaelic despite a public commitment on the new website (designed by the Leith Agency) to support Gaelic. The new website contains a Forum area which invites comments. Most of them are adverse comments on the logo, the website or both.
August
Creative Scotland's Board holds its first meeting
September
Publication of Education and the Arts, Culture and Creativity: an Action Plan by the Scottish Government with an introduction by Michael Russell, Fiona Hyslop and Keith Brown
Creative Scotland's Board holds its second meeting at 249 West George St, Glasgow
December
Scottish Government Response to the Traditional Arts Working Group Report published
Creative Scotland's Board holds its third meeting at Manor Place, Edinburgh.
2011
February
National Performing Companies Report published
Creative Scotland's Board holds its fourth meeting and Board Away Day, at DCA in Dundee.
March
Creative Scotland publishes its Corporate Plan 2011 - 2014 with a series of roadshows around the country at which Andrew Dixon explains the Plan.
The Scottish Government publishes its strategy for the Creative Industries 'Growth Talent and Ambition'
Scotland's Digital Future: A Strategy published
Creative Scotland's Board holds its fifth meeting, at Waverley Gate, Edinburgh.
May
The Year of Scottish Food and Drink ends. The Year of Active Scotland begins.
June
Creative Scotland's board holds its sixth meeting.
August
FST dance working group publishes Dance in Scotland Report written by Lucy Mason
September
First audited accounts for Creative Scotland released.
Scoping study into the Economic Impact of the Arts and Creative Industries in Scotland published by Creative Scotland
Creative Scotland's Board holds its seventh meeting.
November
Fiona Hyslop returns to the Cabinet, becoming Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs.
December
Creative Scotland's Board holds its eighth meeting.
2012
March
National Performing Companies - Annual Report of Activity 2010/11 published
Creative Scotland's Board holds its ninth meeting, at Eden Court Theatre in Inverness.
May
David Greig, playwright, publishes an open letter to Creative Scotland
The Year of Active Scotland ends. The Year of Creative Scotland begins.
June
Christine Hamilton's Theatre Sector Review is published.
Open letter to Creative Scotland from the Scottish Contemporary Arts network is published
Open letter to Creative Scotland from Scotland's dance community is published
Creative Scotland's Board holds its tenth meeting
July
Fiona Hyslop writes a public letter to Sandy Crombie.
Devoted and Disgruntled Roadshow, Edinburgh, part of a series of Open Space meetings about the state of theatre in the UK
September
Fiona Hyslop writes a second public letter to Sandy Crombie.
Devoted and Disgruntled, Roadshow, Inverness.
Creative Scotland's board holds its eleventh meeting.
Education & Culture committee takes evidence from Andrew Dixon, head of Creative Scotland. Also giving evidence are artist Matt Baker, Gwilym Gibbons (Director, Shetland Arts) and Francis McKee, Director of the Centre for Contemporary Arts.
October
Open letter to Sir Sandy Crombie, signed by over 100 artists, is published.
Open Space Meeting on Creative Scotland in Edinburgh
World Cafe Meeting at Tramway in Glasgow
Dance Sector Review published.
December
Creative Scotland's Board holds its twelfth meeting, over two days in Pitlochry. Andrew Dixon and Venu Dhupa are not in attendance and apologies are not minuted. Reports from the Lottery Sub Group (Barclays Price, Steve Grimmond & Robin McPherson) and the Operations & Capacity Sub Group (chaired by Ruth Wishart) are presented (downloadable here)
Creative Scotland Awards ceremony in Kelvingrove. It is a black tie event, co-sponsored by the Daily Record, and has an all-male judging panel. There is criticism.
Andrew Dixon resigns as CEO, Creative Scotland.
Venu Dhupa resigns as Director of Creative Development.
*Scottish Screen was formed in 1997, an amalgamation of the Scottish Film Council (SFC), the Scottish Film Production Fund (SFPF), Scottish Screen Locations (SSL), and Scottish Broadcast and Film Training Ltd. (SBFT). It was a company limited by guarantee with the status of Executive NDPB, grant funded by the Scottish Executive who appointed all its members.
** Miles Harrison is not a consultant but a facilitator. He was asked to facilitate all staff meetings with SAC and Scottish Screen about staff views on the transition.
*** To download the report, search here under Homecoming Scotland 2009 EKOS Report.