Arts Management
student appointed to
Creative Scotland board
A
N ARTS MANAGEMENT student from QMU has been appointed as
a board member of Creative Scotland - the government agency in
charge of promoting Scotland’s arts, screen and creative industries.
Sheila Murray, who studied MA Arts, Festival and Cultural Management at
QMU, secured the four-year role to help Creative Scotland deliver the ambitions
set out in its 10 year plan.
To secure the position, Sheila was able to demonstrate her practical knowledge
and understanding of the arts and creative industries in Scotland.
Sheila’s international experience in the arts spans a 25-year former career with
the British Council in a wide variety of management roles in London, Israel, Spain
and Scotland. She was responsible for cultural relations and strategy formation,
as well as organising and promoting events and projects across the world in
all art forms. Sheila now works freelance and has co-ordinated a conference
for Creative Scotland on the arts in Africa and curates Edinburgh’s Macmillan
Cancer Support annual exhibition.
Sheila has been a board member of the Traverse Theatre, the Fruitmarket
Gallery and NVA Europe. Her background is in the visual arts and
she holds a master’s degree in fine art.
Sheila’s studies at QMU allowed her to reflect upon her
previous experience, deepening her knowledge, skills and
understanding, all of which helped her to secure the Creative
Scotland role. The QMU master’s degree provides graduates
with an integrated perspective on the management of
cultural organisations and the political, economic, social
and environmental conditions in which they function.
Creative Scotland has become the first public body
to answer the Scottish Government’s call for all boards
of directors to be gender-balanced by 2020, thanks to
the appointment of its new members, including QMU
graduate, Sheila Murray.
Commenting on her appointment to Creative Scotland’s
Board, Sheila said: “This is a great opportunity for me to
contribute to the future development of Scotland’s arts
sector within an international context.
“I’m a believer in life long learning. The course updated
my skills by providing valuable insight into contemporary
issues affecting the management of arts organisations
and festivals today and by introducing me to new ways
of looking at the arts through practical application and
academic research which are essential for becoming an
effective leader in the arts.
“Studying at QMU brought home to me that
connections, age and background are not as significant
as a willingness to learn and to share ideas. I will take
these values with me as I begin my new role with
Creative Scotland.”
Janet Archer, CEO, Creative Scotland,
said; “Sheila’s experience, knowledge and
understanding of the sector will help us support the
continued growth of the arts, screen and creative
industries across Scotland. We were delighted
to recently be announced as the first public body
in Scotland to achieve a 50:50 gender split on
our board. I very much look forward to working
with Sheila and I know she will make a significant
contribution to our work.” ❒
QMYOU / Creativity & Culture
15