The Government's aim is to encourage the widest possible participation in a vigorous and diverse cultural life where Scotland's communities and individuals benefit from participation in high quality cultural events and opportunities.
In particular, information on the following is available:
- Cultural policy - The Scottish Government has a manifesto commitment to widen access to cultural activity and participation through links with community planning. Information that is published includes information about the Cultural pathfinder programme, where pilot projects are being supported throughout Scotland to explore effective and practical ways to widen access to, and participation in, cultural activity.
- National Companies - Scotland's five National Performing Companies are Scottish Ballet, Scottish Opera, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and the National Theatre of Scotland. Information available includes a description of each of the 5 National Companies, details of the revenue grant funding allocated to each of them, and details of the criteria for attaining and maintaining status as a national performing company.
- Architecture - Government policy on architecture, including information on the ACCESS to Architecture programme, the SUST campaign which promotes sustainable design, policy on school building design, and information on relevant bodies such as Architecture and Design Scotland, and the Royal Commission on Ancient and Historic Monuments of Scotland.
- Gaelic - Gaelic is integral to Scotland's cultural identity and especially that of the people of the Highlands and Islands, the Gaels. Gaelic is evident in different areas of modern Scottish life such as education, broadcasting, employment, heritage and the arts, and the Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that the language has a sustainable future.
Gaelic language development is in the main a devolved responsibility of the Scottish Government, however, some of this work is relevant to European frameworks, whose ratification and monitoring are the responsibility of the UK Government. The main vehicle for delivering the Scottish Government's priorities for Gaelic is Bòrd na Gàidhlig, the national Gaelic language development agency, however, the Scottish Government works with a wide range of bodies in the public, voluntary and private sectors to develop and promote the language in Scotland, as well as other administrations at UK and European levels.
Information on the following subjects is available:
- Scottish Government's policies for developing and promoting Gaelic
- Scottish Government's funding priorities for Gaelic
- Public bodies/organisations in receipt of funding for Gaelic development work
- Gaelic-medium education, which includes funding, pupil and teacher numbers
- Scottish Government's liaison with other UK and European administrations involved in the promotion of regional or minority languages
- Scottish Government's activities in relation to the Charter for Regional or Minority Languages.
- Scots language, education and culture - The Scots language is integral to Scotland's cultural identity. It is used across Scotland in a variety of forms such as Doric, Lallans or Shetlandic, and is evident in different areas of modern Scottish life such as education, broadcasting, literature, heritage and the arts. Much of the Scottish Government's support for Scots development work is currently channelled through the Scottish Arts Council. The Scottish Government has given a number of commitments to increase awareness and use of the Scots language.
Information on the following subjects is available:
- Scottish Government's current policies and priorities for developing Scots
- Public bodies/organisations in receipt of funding for Scots development work
- Scottish Government's activities in relation to the Charter for Regional or Minority Languages.
- Broadcasting - government policy on broadcasting issues in Scotland.
Where the information within this class can be located
This class of information can be located within the ' Arts and Culture' section of the Scottish Government website or through one of the alternative routes described under section 5 of this scheme.