The Bulletin: Arts & Culture News | 4 December

CHIEF OF CREATIVE SCOTLAND STEPS DOWN
As we reported yesterday, Andrew Dixon, Chief Executive of embattled arts funding body Creative Scotland, has stepped down. His resignation could be seen as an act of appeasement towards the artistic community. Under Dixon's guidance, Creative Scotland received a very public letter signed by some of Scotland's top creatives, criticising the organisation for the way it apportions funds, and its poor decision-making. Further controversy arose when an all-male panel was appointed to judge the Creative Scotland Awards.

Chairman of Creative Scotland, Sir Sandy Crombie, promised a shake-up of the way the organisation works back in October – Dixon's departure could be a result of that shake-up, or simply a sacrificial offering, designed to deflect attention from the deeper issues. Back in June, Dixon apologised in public to the artistic community of Scotland for the handling of the transition from organisational to event-based funding, and again in response to the selection of the Creative Scotland Awards panel. Now, it seems that an apology isn't good enough. Dixon's statement talks in positive language: "The time is right for a change of direction for both myself and the organisation," he says. But he also expresses regret: "I have been disappointed, given my track record, not to gain the respect and support of some of the more established voices in Scottish culture and I hope that my resignation will clear the way for a new phase of collaboration between artists and Creative Scotland." The Herald reports that Dixon's severance package will amount to nearly £60,000.

Will his departure make a difference? Further senior-level staff changes are promised. Dramatist David Greig told the Guardian: "Andrew has done the right thing, though it can't have been easy, and it is a shame for him. This clears the decks and allows the board of Creative Scotland to begin rebuilding trust with artists. This is not everything that needs to be done; but without the resignation it would have been difficult to create the atmosphere where progress could be made."

Dixon's resignation leaves Sir sandy Crombie in direct control of the organisation, until a new Chief Executive is appointed. Any Executive bold enough to take on the role will have to answer to Scotland's creative community, and will have a long, hard battle on his or her hands, in order to win back their trust. Perhaps this is the most positive outcome of the controversy, which has raged since May, when Scotsman theatre critic Joyce McMillan attacked some of the agency's funding decisions. Scotland's artistic community is presenting a united front, and demanding fair play from the organisation. At least with Dixon's departure, there are signs that concrete changes will be made. 

MARK LANEGAN & WHOMADEWHO RELEASE SPLIT SINGLE FOR CHARITY
Ex-Screaming Trees frontman and occasional Queens of the Stone Age member Mark Lanegan (who we interviewed here at the start of the year) and Kompakt-signed indie rockers Whomadewho have released a split 7" which sees the band covering one of Lanegan's songs, Deep Black Vanishing Train (from his solo album Funeral Blues), and Lanegan returning the favour with a version of Whomadewho's Below The Cherry Moon (from their album Brighter). All proceeds from the sale of the single, which comes with strict instructions not to play it until Christmas Day, will be donated to Amnesty International. Stream the tracks below, and purchase your copy here.

T IN THE PARK HEADLINERS ANNOUNCED
The headliners for Scotland's biggest music festival have been announced – T in the Park 2013 will be helmed by pop princess Rihanna, well-to-do folk-rock minstrels Mumford & Sons, with support from Mercury winners Alt-J, Paloma Faith, Jake Bugg and others. The headliners announced confirm that T in the Park is continuing to move in the direction of booking mainstream pop and daytime radio artists for the main stage. What are your views on the 2013 lineup – will you be down the front screaming for Rihanna, or headbanging to emerging artists on the T-Break stage? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

TURNER PRIZE GOES TO ELIZABETH PRICE
Video artist Elizabeth Price was awarded the often controversial Turner Prize at last night's awards ceremony at the tate Gallery in London. Her installation, The Woolworths Choir of 1979, was inspired by a fire which demolished a Manchester Woolworths. Price beat Scottish artist Luke Fowler to take home the prize, which includes a £25,000 cheque. Price previously found fame as a member of indie guitar band Talulah Gosh.