Scottish music is world renowned for the highest quality and for its innovative and interactive use of technology. Enterprise and creativity are key drivers in an industry that is predominantly selfemployed. The Scottish Arts Council has clear priorities for music: to support the musician, promote all music they create and perform and enable the widest of distribution and access to it. This is also embodied in the Youth Music Initiative (YMI), which provides access, participation and career development at all levels. The Scottish Arts Council has now completed an audit of the first three years of provision (2003-2006) which demonstrates that it has met the Scottish Executive-set ‘P6 target’, ensuring that every child in Scotland will have had been given the opportunity to access at least one year’s free music provision by the time they reach Primary 6. It has also commissioned the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (RSAMD) to carry out a comprehensive training needs analysis of the youth music sector in Scotland.

The Scottish Arts Council Corporate Plan identifies priorities for 2007-2009 and the Music Department will work within these priorities to achieve a vibrant, creative, innovative and successful music industry in Scotland

1 Increase the scope and quality of its support for artists - the Scottish Arts Council will: (i) significantly increase funds to support the continuing professional development of musicians and increase the funding for recording, creativity and new work – it is the only UK arts council that invests in recording in this way; (ii) increase Youth Music Initiative (YMI) support for professional teachers and organisations to develop careers and broaden access routes across both formal and informal sectors; (iii) develop the music industry infrastructure in Scotland, including key promoters, venues and festivals; (iv) expand its sector forum development programme, now encompassing traditional music, jazz, chamber music and contemporary music; (v) set up a new Scottish Music Industry Body, with the Scottish Executive, Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise; (vi) promote Scotland’s musicians internationally, prioritising Showcase Scotland (at Celtic Connections), SXSW (South by South West) and Womex, whilst continuing to successfully develop the Showcase Scotland brand at many other international symposiums.

2 Secure the foundation of Scotland’s artistic development - the Scottish Arts Council has agreed funding at an enhanced level on a five year cycle for seven music Foundation Organisations, whose reach and role have a national and international impact. They are: (i) two national youth music organisations: National Youth Orchestras of Scotland and National Youth Choir of Scotland (NYCoS); (ii) three Gaelic arts/music organisations: Fèisean nan Gàidheal - National Association of Gaelic Arts Youth Tuition Festivals, Fèis Rois Ltd and Próiseact nan Ealan - Gaelic Arts Agency; (iv) the Scottish Ensemble, now established as one of Europe’s most significant performing ensembles; (v) the Scottish Music Centre, the major international information hub for the music industry in Scotland, now housed in state-of-the-art facilities at the Glasgow City Halls.

3 Create flexibility to support the new and innovative - the Scottish Arts Council wishes to create an environment where the new and the innovative can flourish, and has set up a pool of project and programme funding which will allow more flexible investment. It will also expand its commitment to the crucially important Tune Up music touring programme. The Scottish Arts Council will target the following areas: (i) key promoters; (ii) festivals and venues; (iii) new work and creativity; (iv) touring; (v) showcasing; (vi) contemporary popular music; (vii) traditional music; (viii) small groups and ensembles; (ix) jazz sector development; and (x) chamber music. Multi-year funding commitments will be made to: Theatre Cryptic; Making Music - the National Federation of Music Societies, Scotland; Enterprise Music Scotland; the St Magnus Festival; and the Traditional Music and Song Association (TMSA).

4 Create opportunities for participation in the arts - the Scottish Arts Council will maintain and develop its funding relationship with: Enterprise Music Scotland, to develop their touring circuit with key promoters; Making Music - the National Federation of Music Societies, Scotland, to expand their activities with music societies; the Adult Learning Project and the Traditional Music and Song Association (TMSA) to deliver a range of initiatives which promote access to and enjoyment of Scottish music; the National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland, for the first time recognising the multi-faceted nature of the music industry; BBC Scotland and new media company Inner Ear/Radio Magnetic to provide BBC Radio Scotland broadcast and unique artists’ podcasts for every Tune Up tour.

5 Build a culture of co-operation with partners and the arts community - the Scottish Arts Council's priorities are to: (i) continue support for the Youth Music Initiative (YMI).

which has already established a good relationship with all 32 local authorities, informal providers and the higher and further education sectors; (ii) invest in the development of sector forums, such as the Traditional Music Forum, Scottish Jazz Federation, Scottish Music Industry Body/Association and a new Chamber Music Forum.

6 Make the transition to Creative Scotland - the formal process of merging the Scottish Arts Council's roles and responsibilities with those of Scottish Screen began in January 2007, with the formation of a new board, whose members were drawn from the two existing bodies. Scottish Arts Council staff look forward to working with the new board to achieve a smooth transition into Creative Scotland. Together they will continue to develop the vision for the new organisation.

The music budget for 2007/08 was £4.76 million which included £1.88 million committed to seven Foundation Organisations. In addition, the Scottish Executive has invested an extra £10 million in the YMI in 2007/08. The majority of this funding is made available to local authorities through the Formula Fund but a proportion is available for open application to support training and continuing professional development for individuals and organisations and new music making activities for young people out of school hours.

Details of all Scottish Arts Council funding and awards schemes, including current deadlines and applications forms, can be downloaded from the Scottish Arts Council website.