TWO of the key figures at Scotland's arts funding agency are to step down.
David Taylor and Ian Smith are both to leave their positions at Creative Scotland.
Mr Taylor, head of strategic projects at the body, and Mr Smith, the head of music, will be retiring in 2016.
Both have been with Creative Scotland since its inception and worked for one of its predecessors, the Scottish Arts Council (SAC).
Mr Taylor, who was director of drama for the SAC, will leave in January and Mr Smith's departure date has yet to be confirmed.
A statement from Creative Scotland last night said: "After almost 30 years of combined service and tireless work supporting arts and culture in Scotland we can confirm that, David Taylor, Head of Strategic Projects and Ian Smith, Head of Music, will be retiring in 2016.
"David will be leaving Creative Scotland in January and Ian will be stepping down later in the year at a date yet to be determined."
It adds: "Both Ian and David will be very familiar to many people working in the arts and, through their long-standing effort and dedication, they will leave behind them a positive and indelible mark on the cultural landscape of Scotland and our international connections.
"Their retiral does, however, create a fantastic opportunity for others to grow their legacy.
"Recruitment for both posts will begin in due course."
Mr Smith was head of music at the SAC after spending 12 years as Scotland and Northern Ireland organiser for the Musicians' Union.
For more than 25 years he was a musician working with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO) as co-principal horn as well as with the London Symphony Orchestra.
He was founder of Scottish Brass and has served as a governor of the former RSAMD, now the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
Mr Taylor was director of drama at the SAC as well as head of performing arts and a member of its senior management team.
Prior to the SAC he worked in theatre management at Eden Court Theatre, Cumbernauld Theatre and the Tron Theatre, Glasgow. This involved fundraising for capital and revenue projects, strategic planning and theatrical touring in the UK and overseas.
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