Creative Scotland head Janet Archer quits

Following a turbulent few months, Creative Scotland chief executive Janet Archer is leaving the organisation

Article by Jamie Dunn | 17 Jul 2018

Creative Scotland has not had a great year so far. Back in January, the organisation announced who would receive the vital three year funding from their £99m Regular Funding budget. There was an immediate controversy following the announcement, particularly due to the removal of long-term funding for several theatre companies focused on young and disabled people.

Over the past six months there has been fierce criticism from Scotland’s arts organisations (including a searing open letter from Glasgow’s Transmission Gallery), board resignations, a Scottish Parliament committee hearing and subsequent U-turns on several of the funding awards.

Following all this controversy, it seems that Janet Archer, the chief executive who oversaw these unpopular decisions, will be leaving her post after five years, The Herald reports.

Iain Munro, formerly deputy chief executive, will now be acting chief executive. Robert Wilson, Creative Scotland’s Chair, said that “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.”

Archer said that it’s been “an honour to work closely with, and to serve Scotland’s artists and creative communities over the past five years”.

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