Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) is a key priority for Creative Scotland, Screen Scotland's partner and the organisation our partnership sits within. In addition to Creative Scotland's legislative responsibilities in tackling inequalities and eliminating discrimination, the prioritisation of EDI is crucial to the quality and richness of creative activity and ensuring that as many people as possible can access and participate in arts and culture across Scotland.
Since being established in 2010, Creative Scotland has embedded EDI across its work and has established dedicated EDI Outcomes to provide direction. Progress has been made through the introduction of EDI Action Plans for Regularly Funded Organisations and programmes such as Create:Inclusion, however, we recognise the need to go further and are committed to doing so.
In support of this, Creative Scotland is establishing an Equalities, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Advisory Group to inform, support and develop its delivery against its current and future Equalities Outcomes.
Purpose
Consisting of representatives from equalities groups and civil society, the Advisory Group will play an important role in helping guide Creative Scotland’s work. This role includes:
- Providing perspectives on Creative Scotland’s funding programmes and development work, helping ensure support is accessible and reflecting the increasing diversity of Scotland’s population.
- Contributing to an annual review of performance against Creative Scotland’s Equalities Outcomes, including advising on future developments.
- Engaging with Creative Scotland staff and Board to identify and address key EDI issues and opportunities, bringing expertise and a range of views to inform future policy and programmes.
- Supporting the development of new partnerships and networks which will support Creative Scotland to fully deliver against its EDI Outcomes.
Membership
The Advisory Group will consist of up to a maximum of eight members who are independent of Creative Scotland.
Members will be recruited as individuals with expertise within the various aspects of Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion. This may come from lived experience and/or through professional knowledge established through engagement with communities of interest or a relevant subject matter.
Members will be appointed for a period of two years beginning from January 2021.
Meetings
The Advisory Group will meet on average every three months (four times per year). This will consist of three two-hour meetings, followed by a half-day session at the end of each annual cycle. Meetings will take place on weekdays and we will work with the Advisory Group to identify dates and times which are practical for all members.
Meetings will be facilitated by Creative Scotland’s Head of EDI with support from colleagues. In addition, we anticipate working with the Advisory Group to identify guest presenters and workshop leaders who could be invited to support meetings.
At this time whilst the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the meetings will take place virtually through Microsoft Teams. This will be reviewed on an ongoing basis towards providing a future option for members to attend in person when circumstances permit.
The format of each meeting will be interactive, promoting sharing of perspectives and ideas against areas of work and tasks identified by the Advisory Group.
Prior to each meeting, Members may be required to read supporting papers or undertake related tasks. We estimate this will be no more than two hours for each meeting and will be included within each Members renumeration and expenses.
Role specification
The Advisory Group will be made up a diverse range of individuals, each with expertise and experience across different areas relevant to the work of Creative Scotland. This includes, but is not limited to, a strong working knowledge of the opportunities and challenges within one or more of the following protected characteristics:
- Age
- Disability
- Gender Reassignment
- Marriage and Civil Partnership
- Pregnancy and Maternity
- Race
- Religion or Belief
- Sex
- Sexual Orientation
In addition, we are interested to hear from those who can contribute though their expertise on approaches around:
- Socio-economic Inequalities
- Health Inequalities
- Issues facing migrants and refugees
- Intersectional perspectives
Members of the Advisory Group should also have a clear commitment to the development of arts and culture in Scotland and the important role of EDI in enabling a thriving and vibrant sector, reflective of all of Scotland’s communities. An understanding of the work of Creative Scotland and Scotland’s creative sectors would be beneficial but is not mandatory. Applications from those working outside the creative sector or those with a strong personal interest in arts and culture are encouraged.
Remuneration, expenses and access
Creative Scotland is committed to ensuring that membership of the Advisory Group is accessible and inclusive.
In addition to ensuring all information and meetings fully meet the needs of each member, Creative Scotland will provide remuneration and relevant expenses incurred from undertaking this role.
Advisory Group members will be paid a fee of £200 per day to cover preparation work and attendance at the Advisory Group meetings and, where relevant, travel and access costs.
How to apply
Applicants are asked to submit a short CV and supporting statement (no more than two sides in total for statement).
This supporting letter should set out your motivation for applying to join the Advisory Group. It should also outline your key area or areas of expertise and interest and state one to two most pressing issues you would like to address though your membership of the Advisory Group.
This CV and statement may be submitted in a format which is suitable to you, inclusive of written or video formats.
All submissions should be submitted via email to [email protected] no later than midday on Friday 8 January 2021.
Selection process
Each application will be evaluated against the following criteria:
- Credible experience, knowledge and expertise in the fields of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Scotland or broader afield (60%)
- Familiarity with the arts, screen and creative industries in Scotland (20%)
- Breadth of knowledge relating to delivering, leading or managing developmental, capacity building, advisory or specific issue based activities (20%)
The selection process will also give due regard to ensuring that the membership is diverse across protected characteristics, whilst also considering intersectionality therein.
All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application no later than Friday 22 January 2021. We anticipate the first meeting of the Advisory Group will take place in late February.
Do you need this information in another format?
Creative Scotland is committed to offering clear and accessible application processes and programmes that are open to everyone. On request this information is available in alternative formats including translations. We offer access support to disabled applicants, tailored to individual requests.
Support includes Sign Language Interpreters for meetings and scribing support for dyslexic applicants. Please note we will accept applications and supporting materials which are written in English, Gaelic or Scots.
If you are a D/deaf BSL user, you can access our services with the Contact Scotland-BSL programme. Go to: www.contactscotland-bsl.org/public for more information.
If you require support, further information or have any general enquiries about the Advisory Group’s work and how to apply, please contact Milica Milosevic, Head of Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion:
Email: [email protected]
Mobile: +44 7967 822 199