Progress on the Arts Council review is continuing as members of the National Assembly for Wales Culture Committee accepted recommendations yesterday (8 March 2006) by the Minister for Culture, Alun Pugh, for an independent panel to review the arts in Wales.The panel, which is likely to comprise five members, will begin the review as soon as the terms of reference are finalised, following consultation with members of the Culture Committee. The Panel will have to report to the Minister before December 2006. The details of the review will be presented by the Minister in the next meeting of the Culture Committee on 23 March, after consultation and input from Culture Committee members. This is the paper presented to the National Assembly for Wales Culture Committee- Review of the role of the Arts Council of Wales 1. Introduction The Welsh Assembly Government is complying fully with the terms of the opposition amendment that was the subject of a vote by the Assembly on 1st February 2006. The funding of the 6 national arts organisations is now a matter for the Arts Council of Wales. The amendment instructs the Welsh Assembly Government to immediately carry out a public review of the role of the Arts Council of Wales. It also refers to a consultation on the national arts organisations. There is broad agreement that these two elements should be brought together into one review. 2. Draft Terms of Reference for the review are set out below: To produce a final report before December 2006, together with relevant evidence, designed to inform Assembly Government decisions on the future role of the Arts Council of Wales (ACW), and the role and funding of the national arts organisations. The Review will advise the Minister for Culture, Welsh Language and Sport as regards: a) The existing role of ACW in relation to : its funding of the arts, including the national arts organisations ; the development of the arts in Wales ; the development of access and inclusion in the arts, and tackling social linequalities. b) The effectiveness of ACW in : developing and managing its revenue client portfolio ; improving access to the arts and excellence in the arts ; delivering services nationally and locally. c) The funding of the arts in an international context : levels of arts funding ; funding mechanisms. The report will set out conclusions and make recommendations. 3. Membership and Method of Working I propose that the review panel consists of five members. They will be appointed by the Government, and I will discuss possible names with Committee members before finalising the membership. The review panel will need to : review and analyse the evidence base to ensure a sound basis for the development of policy recommendations ; engage with a broad range of individuals and groups to explore a range of views on the role of ACW, and possible future approaches to the development of the arts ; make policy recommendations to Government based on sound evidence and public consultation. 4. Panel members will need to possess the ability to take a broad overview of this area of public policy, including current developments in Wales, the rest of the UK and abroad. Members will also need to possess knowledge of the arts, and detailed understanding of government and the public sector. It will be important to ensure a balance of gender, ethnicity and geographical spread on the panel. 5. The Panel should engage directly in the public aspects of the review, i.e. : engage with a wide range of arts practitioners and others in the sector, and also conduct public discussion and thus engage with a wider range of views and opinions. 6. The Panel should demonstrate an engagement and understanding of the views of people and communities – an important element of the requirement for a "public review". |
| Wales Assembly Government web site: |
| Lowri Jones, 029 2089 8557 e-mail: |
Thursday, March 9, 2006 |
|
Other related news stories on the Theatre in Wales web site : |
Older news
stories have been carefully archived.
2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999