MORE than 400 people have signed a petition calling for artists to be involved in the development of art funding strategies.
The petition is addressed to the Scottish culture secretary, Fiona Hyslop.
It says: "We are deeply perturbed both by the way in which the RFO decisions have been made – and reversed – and by the values that these reflect in terms of Creative Scotland’s support of the arts in these straitened times."
It declares that an artist-led National Arts Forum is being formed with the aim of "gathering, reporting and representing the voices of those working in the arts across Scotland. We are sure that you will agree that this is a very important initiative, and it will inevitably take time."
It concludes: "We respectfully ask that any decisions or discussion by the Culture Committee of the Scottish Parliament is delayed until the Forum has met and decided upon its first representations to government. We anticipate that this will be within 12 weeks from the date of this letter."
https://www.ipetitions.com/petition/open-letter-to-fiona-hyslop-2
GLENROTHES is to be the venue for a new Edinburgh International Book Festival event from May 17-19.
ReimagiNation: Glenrothes will take place in the Rothes Halls.
Guests will include the leading crime writer Val McDermid, who spent a part of her childhood in the town, fellow authors Christopher Brookmyre and Mark Billingham, wildlife cameraman James Aldred, Sally Magnusson, Judy Murray and Archie Macpherson.
The event is part of the Book Festival’s Booked! programme of events.
It is the fourth of five events in Scottish New Towns, marking 70 years since the passing of the Scottish New Towns Act, and in June 2018, the 70th anniversary of Glenrothes itself.
http://booked.edbookfest.co.uk
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