Janet Archer has left Creative Scotland after the group was criticised for the way it allocated funding
The boss of Scotland’s arts body has stepped down following criticism of its recent funding decisions.
Janet Archer announced this week that she has left her post as chief executive of Creative Scotland after five years.
The body faced criticism earlier this year after charity Scottish Youth Theatre announced that it would have to close after having its grant from Creative Scotland slashed. The future of the theatre was latterly secured when the Scottish Government committed emergency funding to meet its running costs.
Creative Scotland announced in January that it would not renew funding for 20 arts organisations it had been supporting – however later reinstated support to five groups. An inquiry at Holyrood last month found that the group’s funding system fell well below expected standards.
Archer gave no reason for her departure but said it had been an honour to work closely with those in the arts.
She said: “It has been an honour to work closely with, and to serve Scotland’s artists and creative communities over the past five years in my role as chief executive of Creative Scotland, and to help many thousands of people produce and share work.
“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. We have also enhanced international support across art forms, especially for screen.”
Robert Wilson, chair of Creative Scotland said: “On behalf of the board, I would like to thank Janet for everything she has achieved over the past five years and the important contribution she has made to Creative Scotland, to the arts, screen and creative industries and to public life in Scotland more broadly. We wish her every success for the future.”
Deputy chief executive Iain Munro will take over as chief executive on an acting basis. Archer’s departure follows the resignation of two board members in February following the row over funding.
