The Arts Council of Wales (ACW) will announce the closure of the majority of its Mid and West Wales Lottery based grant schemes this week. The ACW says that the closure is in direct response to a decrease in funding at a time when requests for financial assistance are continuing to increase. The ACW received £17.5 million in 1997 from the National Lottery. However, its share of proceeds has decreased year by year, therefore affecting Council support for arts festivals, events, and the improvement of access to venues and facilities across Wales. Peter Tyndall, Chief Executive of The Arts Council for Wales said: 'We are very aware that this move will mean that many high quality projects may no longer go ahead. However, we are taking steps to ensure that the situation is managed sympathetically in partnership with the organisations and individuals concerned.' ACW is currently making plans to meet with clients and is in the process of arranging workshops and seminars planned to equip organisations to apply to other sources of funding. Its support to community focused Capital and Small Grants programs will remain open, as will the Welsh Assembly Government funded schemes. For further information on the Arts Council of Wales, CLICK HERE.