SNP leadership contest: Humza Yousaf vows to bring arts and culture into ‘heart of policymaking’ if he is First Minister

Humza Yousaf has vowed culture will be more of a priority for the Scottish Government if he is first minister to ensure it has a greater role in education and economic growth, tackling climate change and social justice, and helping “minority communities” celebrate their heritage.

He has promised to bring arts and culture “into the heart of policymaking” if he secures the keys to Bute House.

Hailing culture as Scotland’s “jewel in the crown”, Mr Yousaf pledged action to ensure the industry thrives nationally and internationally in future years, rather than just survives.

The health secretary promised more support to help the troubled sector recover from the prolonged impact of the pandemic and ensure it becomes more “resilient” in future.

Humza Yousaf is one of three contenders to become leader of the SNP and Scotland's next First Minister. Picture: Andy Buchanan

New programmes and projects exploring the country's colonial past and "ongoing racial injustice" will be developed with schools and museums under his cultural blueprint.

It would see Scotland positioned and promoted as “a truly multilingual society”, with a key role for culture in bringing diverse communities together, and more support for the Gaelic and Scots languages.

He also envisages culture becoming the key platform “for the world to engage with Scotland”, suggesting he would use “Scotland’s undoubted excellence in the arts to boost our presence on the world stage”.

Resources will be targeted at the “areas of highest need” under Mr Yousaf’s plans to revitalise the cultural sector, which has been battling the prolonged impact of the pandemic, reduced audiences, rising costs and the economic climate.

Humza Yousaf is one of three contenders to become leader of the SNP and Scotland's next First Minister. Picture: Andy Buchanan

The government faced a furious backlash from the Scottish cultural sector after cutting Creative Scotland’s grant cut by 10 per cent in December.

The cut was overturned last month after campaigners and unions warned that the “perverse” move would put 8,500 arts jobs at risk.

However, Mr Yousaf would deliver key recommendations from a long-awaited Scottish cultural strategy published just before the pandemic struck, which envisaged culture as a “key consideration” across all policy areas.

The blueprint called for Scotland to become “a place where culture is valued, protected and nurtured” and for the country to “open up the potential of culture as a transformative opportunity across society”.

Mr Yousaf said: “Culture and the arts are the jewel in the crown for Scotland.

“As First Minister, I will do everything in my power to ensure this vital sector does not just survive its current challenges but continues to thrive both nationally and in its international ambitions.

“Scotland is known the world over for our contribution to culture and the arts – from the Edinburgh festivals to Celtic Connections. Our international reputation precedes us and we are rightly proud of our standing in the world.

“Of course, many cultural organisations have faced tough times since the outbreak of Covid-19 and in many cases are still grappling with the financial challenges of the pandemic.

"I will do everything I can to support our culture sector to recover and to thrive – and will start by ensuring support is targeted to the areas of greatest need.“We will work with the sector, Creative Scotland and others to understand what more we can do to ensure the recovery from the pandemic continues and they get the support to build resilience.

“Culture has a crucial role to play in delivering economic growth, delivering our net zero ambitions, in enhancing our children’s education and in promoting social justice and cohesion, bringing our diverse communities together and acting as a vehicle for minority communities to celebrate their heritage.

"I want to ensure that role is well understood – and bring culture and the arts into the heart of policymaking.”

Mr Yousaf said the development of a new international cultural strategy would be prioritised, “providing the platform for our cultural sector to engage with the world, but – crucially – using culture as the platform for the world to engage with Scotland.”