We are delighted that the next meeting of the CPG - Culture and Communities returns in person at the Scottish Parliament. The Cross Party Group on Culture and Communities encourages the exchange of knowledge and understanding between the Scottish Parliament and arts, culture, heritage, and historic environment communities. Learn more about the group on our website here.
Convener: Foysol Choudhury MSP
Secretariat: Culture Counts
Whilst much attention has recently been focused on Scottish Government support for culture the picture in Local Authorities is also a cause for concern.
This meeting of the group will focus on the culture sector and the impacts of local authority cuts at a community level. We will hear from three guest speakers, who will provide an overview of the current issues and experiences of our cultural communities.
Speakers:
Robin Strang is the Chair of Community Leisure Scotland, (Community Leisure UK is the members’ association that specialises in representing charitable leisure and culture trusts across England, Scotland and Wales). Robin was previously Chief Executive of West Lothian Leisure and Chief Executive of Manchester Sport and Leisure Trust. He is also a Board member of OSCR and Scottish Canals. As Local Authorities are preparing their budgets, Community Leisure UK is currently working with its members to further understand the challenges that culture and leisure trusts are facing with decreasing budgets and how this is impacting cultural services and their creative communities.
David McDonald is Scotland Policy and Partnerships Coordinator for Creative Lives (Creative Lives supports and champions community and volunteer-led creative activity, and works to improve opportunities for everyone to be creative.) David spent 15 years in elected office, holding senior political roles in Glasgow City Council and served as the Chair of Glasgow Life, the UK's largest cultural trust, helping to shape cultural and creative opportunities ranging from international festivals and events to supporting community activity. David is passionate about the power of communities, he is a Community Education graduate of the University of Strathclyde and has worked in the community, third and non-governmental sectors in Scotland and across Europe. He is on the board of Glasgow Film Theatre and is chair of painting Pollok a community arts and mural project.
Alison Reeves is Deputy CEO and Manager, Scotland at Making Music. (Making Music is the UK’s membership organisation for leisure time music, with around 3,850 groups representing around 228,000 music makers across the UK. They are dedicated to empowering everyone, whatever their background or experience to come together in their community to make or present music). Alison leads on access and inclusion and supports lobbying and advocacy work. She has been the Manager in Scotland since 2016, and also delivers UK online events. She plays the fiddle, mostly for ceilidh dancing.
There will be an opportunity for group members, guests and MSPs to ask our presenters questions and we will also have time for a general discussion.
Attendance
You must be a member of the CPG Culture and Communities to attend. If you are not a member then please join the group here. Booking information will then be sent out to you directly.
On-line
This is an in-person event however we are hoping to make an online option available. If you would like to join us online, you will be able to register for an online ticket and joining details will be sent to you on the morning of the event. Any issues please contact us via the details below.
Contact details:
If you have any questions about the event, the Cross Party Group, or any access requirements to enable your attendance, please contact Lori Anderson: lori@culturecounts.scot
Please sign up to the CPGs here, and booking information will be sent out to you directly