Against the backdrop of a fragile UK economy and with unprecedented pressures on public funds, the Arts Council has reorganised its investment to provide more secure funding to key arts organisations in Wales. Over the coming three years the Arts Council will see its Welsh Assembly Government programme funding reduced by 4%, and its running costs reduced by 12%.
Subject to confirmation in February of the Welsh Assembly Government’s draft budget, a new portfolio of 71 organisations will share funding of just over £24.25million in 2011/12.
Announcing the new financial strategy, Arts Council of Wales Chair, Dai Smith said:
"No-one thrives in a climate of uncertainty, and the arts are no different. We’ve had to take our share of public sector cuts. But as a result of the strategy we’re announcing today, most organisations will see their funding increase, and in some cases significantly so. To achieve this we’ve had to make many difficult choices. But through a rigorous process of re‑appraisal, we’re able to ensure that the best of the arts in Wales can continue to thrive."
Features of the new strategy include:
Taking bold decisions now to ensure that the best of the arts in Wales thrives in the future – rewarding success and providing key arts organisations with the financial stability to grow and develop their businesses
Promoting Wales’s international reputation for dynamism, creativity and excellence – supporting a portfolio of national companies who can represent the best of Wales on the world stage – international exemplars of excellence whose works are rooted in Wales. Along with companies such as Welsh National Opera, BBC National Orchestra of Wales and Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru, Council is attaching particular importance to the development needs of two of Wales’s newest national companies, National Theatre Wales and National Dance Company Wales
Encouraging more people to develop their own creativity through meaningful engagement with the arts – the arts in Wales are more popular than ever before. We’re increasing our funding to those community arts organisations whose activity inspires and engages – transformational community regeneration that makes the arts a more important part of people’s everyday lives. A particular priority is our support for community arts organisations working across the South Wales Valleys such as Valleys Kids, RCT Community Arts and Head for Arts
Making a once in a generation ‘step change’ in our funding for dance and the visual arts and crafts - significant additional funding will create more opportunities for community and performing dance artists to develop their work. And our award winning network of visual arts and crafts exhibition spaces such as Mostyn in Llandudno, Ruthin Craft Centre and Oriel Davies in Newtown will finally have the means of capitalising on potential of these fantastic new spaces, creating new opportunities for artists and audiences
Refreshing our RFO portfolio – for many years, some of our many best project-funded organisations have sought the recognition and stability that revenue funding can provide. Five new organisations – NoFit State, Sinfonia Cymru, Theatr Ffynnon, Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias and Independent Ballet Wales become RFOs for the first time.