Following the success of collaborating on a number of international arts projects, together with the establishment of a joint Head of International Arts post, the Scottish Arts Council and British Council Scotland will launch their International Arts Strategy at The Tun on Tuesday 21 February 2006.

Culture Minister Patricia Ferguson will join poet Matthew Fitt and members of Scotland’s international community at the launch of the strategy which emphasises the importance of international working for the creative development of Scottish artists and arts organisations and raising the profile of the arts internationally.

Scotland has a vibrant contemporary arts scene with many artists and arts organisations currently involved in international projects. The strategy outlines a three-year programme to increase the number and impact of these projects, to help develop international networks and establish Scotland as an internationally recognised centre of excellence for the arts.

Culture Minister Patricia Ferguson said: ‘Our contemporary art helps to define who we are in a modern Scotland and our contemporary artists have helped to put Scotland’s cultural identity on the world stage. This strategy demonstrates our commitment to helping artists develop this identity further to establish Scotland’s place as a true world centre of excellence.’

The Scottish Arts Council and British Council Scotland have successfully worked together on a number of international arts projects in recent years including the Scottish presence at the Venice Biennale in 2003 and 2005, the biannual Bookcase at the Edinburgh International Book Festival which will take place again in August, the establishment and ongoing support for Showcase Scotland at Celtic Connections and a joint reception at last year’s world music event, Womex.

A number of areas of development have been targeted to achieve the aims of the strategy, including involvement in showcases such as South by South west, collaborative projects with other organisations involved in international working and the initiation of delegate visits to and from Scotland.

Norah Campbell, Head of International Arts at the Scottish Arts Council and British Council Scotland said: ‘Our rich cultural heritage ensures Scotland is defined internationally, combine that with the vast talent in each art form, we have the essential ingredients to have a substantial international impact. Working internationally is not only important for the profile of Scotland but it is vital for the ongoing development of artist’s creative and business careers. The strategy aims to further embed international activity within the normal scope of artist life in Scotland.’