Arts body Creative Scotland has appointed culture editor Alan Morrison as its new head of music.
Morrison will take up the post in June, ahead of the retirement of Ian Smith, the current head, in July.
Morrison, until recently, was group arts editor for the Herald and Times Group where he was responsible for all arts, literary and cultural content across The Herald, Sunday Herald and Evening Times.
Through this role, he developed partnerships with Celtic Connections, Wickerman Festival, T in the Park, Connect Festival and Edinburgh International Festival.
He also sits on the panel to select unsigned bands for the Wickerman Festival and T in the Park.
Leonie Bell, Creative Scotland’s director of arts and engagement, said: ‘We received a large number of very high calibre applications for this post. Alan demonstrated a deep-rooted passion for and knowledge of music in and from Scotland, along with a clear conviction that music in all its forms is part of who we are and who can be as individuals, communities and as nations.
‘I’m extremely pleased that he will be joining the Creative Scotland team and using this knowledge to lead the music team and to help support Scotland’s musicians, music organisations, festivals and the arts more broadly. He will, of course, be building on the significant legacy that Ian Smith has delivered over the past 11 years, for which we thank Ian.’
Morrison added: ‘I’m absolutely delighted to be appointed as Head of Music and to be joining Creative Scotland in one of the most important jobs in the arts. Throughout my life, I have been immersed in all types of music, from classical to contemporary, and this role is a great opportunity to support a sector that means so much to me, both personally and professionally.
‘I see music as a central pillar of Scottish identity, of who we are and how the world sees us. It's important that musicians are recognised as the vital artists that they are and for the key role that they play in the life of modern Scotland.’
Morrison will take up the post in June, ahead of the retirement of Ian Smith, the current head, in July.
Morrison, until recently, was group arts editor for the Herald and Times Group where he was responsible for all arts, literary and cultural content across The Herald, Sunday Herald and Evening Times.
Through this role, he developed partnerships with Celtic Connections, Wickerman Festival, T in the Park, Connect Festival and Edinburgh International Festival.
He also sits on the panel to select unsigned bands for the Wickerman Festival and T in the Park.
Leonie Bell, Creative Scotland’s director of arts and engagement, said: ‘We received a large number of very high calibre applications for this post. Alan demonstrated a deep-rooted passion for and knowledge of music in and from Scotland, along with a clear conviction that music in all its forms is part of who we are and who can be as individuals, communities and as nations.
‘I’m extremely pleased that he will be joining the Creative Scotland team and using this knowledge to lead the music team and to help support Scotland’s musicians, music organisations, festivals and the arts more broadly. He will, of course, be building on the significant legacy that Ian Smith has delivered over the past 11 years, for which we thank Ian.’
Morrison added: ‘I’m absolutely delighted to be appointed as Head of Music and to be joining Creative Scotland in one of the most important jobs in the arts. Throughout my life, I have been immersed in all types of music, from classical to contemporary, and this role is a great opportunity to support a sector that means so much to me, both personally and professionally.
‘I see music as a central pillar of Scottish identity, of who we are and how the world sees us. It's important that musicians are recognised as the vital artists that they are and for the key role that they play in the life of modern Scotland.’
