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There are no current plans for a new biennale of the visual arts. The Scottish Government supports the biennial Glasgow International Festival of the Visual Arts through our partners Creative Scotland. The festival is an excellent example of how we support and celebrate contemporary visual arts on an international level. The next festival is scheduled for 2012. The Scottish Government also supports the Edinburgh Art Festival through the Edinburgh Festival’s Expo Fund.

I refer the member to the question S4W-01512. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/MAQASearch/QAndMSearch.aspx

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-01520.

All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/MAQASearch/QAndMSearch.aspx.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-01526.

All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

The overarching themes for developing a national strategy were announced on 21 March 2011. These will focus on how our museums and galleries can make the best use of available skills and resources; how the sector can meet its long-term ambitions and the impact and role of museums in society. The announcement is available on the Scottish Government website http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2011/03/21085336.

Work is progressing on developing a national strategy and a consultation paper will be launched in September.

In response to the Traditional Arts Working Group’s recommendations, the Scottish Government’s partners Creative Scotland are allocating, as part of its Talent Development investment programme, £50,000 this year to supporting two programmes. This will result in the transfer of knowledge and skills from one generation of traditional artists to another. The programmes include a Mentoring scheme and an Advanced Tutoring scheme. Ten to fifteen opportunities are expected to result.

In addition, Creative Scotland has allocated £5,500 towards Feis Rois’s Dualchas project that offers an opportunity for 12 outstanding young music students to spend a week in residence with six of Scotland’s most renowned tradition bearers

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-1520.

All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/MAQASearch/QAndMSearch.aspx

The Scottish Government recognises the important and valuable contribution that Scotland’s academic and scientific institutions, businesses and civic partners can make to our international development work.

Working with these organisations is an ongoing process which has already begun. For example, we are liaising with the Scotland Malawi Partnership and the Network of International Development Organisation in Scotland to develop a more strategic and focused approach to our funding processes.

With particular reference to manifesto commitments around renewable energy and climate change, we are, for example, working with Strathclyde University and the James Hutton Institute. This is helping to build sustainable livelihoods in Malawi through climate change mitigation activities including agricultural improvements, carbon balancing and renewable energy schemes.

In essence, we have a strong foundation on which to build and we will continue to share information and work closely with key stakeholders as we further develop this focus.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-1531. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-1523 on 3 August 2011. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.