The Board of Management of Theatr lolo wishes to respond to the proposed strategy and acknowledges the need for change, to meet the real changes in the artistic environment within which we work.
It would seem that ACW has attempted to address certain issues of concern over recent years, including longer term funding, more realistic allocation of resources to individual companies, strengthening links between presenters and producers and the need for a training strategy for the profession.
In particular, we accept that the time has come to review and restructure provision for young people. We fully endorse the many examples of excellent work in this field which have developed over the last twenty years but we accept that it is now expedient to review the strategy for delivering the best of professional theatre to the young people of Wales.
However, we do feel that there are discrepancies and gaps in the strategy, which must be addressed, and we therefore draw attention to the following specific points, with particular reference to the issue of introducing a franchise system for TYP
1.2
We have to voice our concern most strongly over the inadequate increase in Welsh Office grant to the arts in Wales, which compares unfavourably with that given to Scotland and England, and question the strength of the ACW advocacy strategy.
1.7
ACW claims a commitment to maximising employment opportunities, there must be vigilance to ensure that the franchise system creates those opportunities and does not in fact lessen them.
3.3
How will the stability of organisations be protected when funding may or may not be available at the end of each three year period? How will subsequent franchise agreements be handled? How much in real terms is the 'substantial increase' in funds for project schemes which will be available to cover a heavily increased demand on its resources? How will professional good practice be protected within project companies?
3.4
We endorse the intention to strengthen links between producers and presenters
3.5
We also agree with the proposal to forge closer links between the different elements of the 'drama industry' particularly building on connections between companies and educational organisations with a view to improved training opportunities in the arts.
3.6
Recognition should be given to the wealth of new writing which is supported through TYP and this should be maintained by a commitment to commissioning new work by any new franchise company.
3.7
We suggest that any franchise bid should be expected to include commitment to the development of opportunities for training, mentoring and innovation.
4.2
In what way will the WNPACs take on the mantle of TYP? It is crucial that TYP is given the same high priority as other work within the larger organisation and that current specialist expertise is not lost in favour of token educational I outreach activity. How will this fit into the overall national provision for young people?
We feel it is crucial that the capital city, Cardiff, is a centre of excellence for professional theatre, which fully embraces theatre for young people. There should be a number of independent, professional, specialist, companies with the remit to provide the full range of theatre opportunities, which reflect the cultural diversity and needs of the people of South Wales. These should include TYP, new writing and Welsh language. They could well benefit from being organised as an 'association' or 'consortium'. In seeking a new focus and refreshed role for the Sherman Theatre it is possible that a viable model could be to use the Sherman as the main building - based umbrella linking these individual companies.
5.1
We are concerned with the logistics of ceasing to give revenue funding to companies part way through a financial year as this has far reaching implications for accounting & budgeting, planning and contracting I commissioning of work etc. We also dispute the standstill grants yet again allocated to the sector which do not even allow an inflationary increase to help fulfill the coming year's plans, even though we were as asked for a 3% increase in our applications.
We take task with the concept of 'no less than' in terms of support for TYP. Considering that a new and hill strategy for Arts for Young People has just been launched there would seem to be a discrepancy in the proposals of the ACW strategy and the ACW's own aims and objectives.
5.5
We need to query the way in which a division between TiE and community work has been made in the case of some companies' work. How has the grant been quantified between the allowance for TiE and the allowance for community work when many projects actually fulfill a remit for the community and in particular for young people?
We strongly support the theory that any franchise arrangement should have an overall national remit and each organisation should make a commitment to joint planning.
5.6
Many questions will be answered by the actual defining of the franchise opportunities. How and by whom will these franchise agreements be decided? It would seem beneficial to all if those companies with considerable experience of providing this service are able to have an input into the drawing up of the franchises and we would welcome this opportunity.
We are very concerned as to how the issue of LA financial support is going to be addressed? It is essential that national provision is not detrimentally effected by local influence but at the same time it is important to keep on board those local authorities which do still support TYP in their various ways. At what stage of development are the proposed Area Committees and are we, as companies, going to be able to contribute to their discussions?
5.7
Why does ACW only recommend 'adequate support' for TYP? Surely in our objectives for young people we should all be striving for excellence and not adequacy. What exactly does ACW recommend as 'adequate' provision for young people? Where has the modest target figure of reaching only 57,000 young people come from when existing companies currently take their work to twice that number?
7
We are pleased to see the continued support of the developmental work of CPR but feel it is essential that their emphasis is on projects 'with a broader base' of relevance to practitioners in Wales.
8
We support the proposal to encourage critical debate in Wales and welcome ACW's intention to make available its written performance reports and trust this will actually be put into practice.
N.B. We are surprised to find no direct reference to Arts & Disability or Cultural Diversity issues which, although they may be embraced in all elements of the strategy, surely need some recognition as priorities issues.
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