Under fire boss of arts quango resigns
THE head of Creative Scotland has quit amid widespread criticism of funding decisions by the arts body.
Chief executive Janet Archer has left after five years, following a damning parliamentary report into the way funding decisions were taken at the organisation.
Holyrood’s culture committee found Creative Scotland’s decision-making fell well below the standard expected of a public body.
And it concluded that the arts funding organisation had been ‘badly damaged’ as a result.
The committee inquiry came after an outcry over Creative Scotland’s decision to axe funding for 20 groups, including high-profile theatre, music and disabled arts projects.
The criticism led to the resignation of two board members, and an emergency board meeting which saw funding restored to five groups. MSPs urged the body to urgently address its strategic failings.
Creative Scotland said Mrs Archer, who joined in July 2013, left on June 30 and would receive payment in lieu of her six-month period of notice.
In a statement Miss Archer said: ‘Over the past five years we have supported artistic excellence, and equalities, diversity and inclusion. We accelerated our work for young people and supported creative projects in all of Scotland’s 32 local authority areas.
‘I am pleased that in a difficult public financial context, Creative Scotland managed to work closely with the Scottish Government to secure an additional £19.8million funding for 2018-21 for regularly funded organisations to replace the unexpected steep downturn in National Lottery funding, as well as an additional £10million annual support for screen.
‘I am especially proud of the relationships we’ve established with partners to deliver shared plans and increase impact.’
Creative Scotland chairman Robert Wilson said: ‘On behalf of the board I would like to thank Janet for everything she has achieved over the past five years.’
Deputy chief executive Iain Munro is to take over as acting chief executive.
Scottish Labour culture spokesman Claire Baker said: ‘Following the controversy around funding and a disappointing appearance in front of the culture committee, it was clear that changes had to be made at Creative Scotland.
‘The Culture Secretary [Fiona Hyslop] must now use the opportunity that Janet Archer’s resignation provides to carry out a root and branch review of the organisation to ensure that it can regain the confidence of the industry.’