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I write following publication of the Arts Council of Wales Strategy document. I intend to write a detailed and full response to the document, and am working on that at the moment. In the meantime I felt I ought to write more immediately to say how horrified I am that Council is considering removing revenue support from Hijinx Theatre. I realise that the Strategy document is a consultation paper and sincerely hope that the wide and passionate response which I am certain will follow this decision will cause Council to change its mind. Given Council's declared aim, 'To encourage quality, home productions for smaller audience communities: eg local community touring, special needs, special interest....' I find the decision to withdraw revenue support from Hijinx unintelligible. Hijinx Theatre has produced work of an extremely high standard for many years, has a well deserved reputation throughout Britain, (as indicated by the invitation to be based in the Wales Millennium Centre), and plays a key strategic role within Wales both as the only Welsh company creating professional theatre for adults with learning difficulties, and as one of the very few companies touring extensively to community venues. Sustainability is clearly, and quite rightly, a major concern for Council at the moment, and supposedly informs much of the Strategy document. The level of expertise, the forward planning, the organisation, the management needed to deliver work of the range, quality and importance of a company such a Hijinx Theatre can only be developed and sustained through revenue funding. Any suggestion that Hijinx would be able to continue effectively with only project funding is entirely fallacious. I support the principle of 'funding few better' . I never imagined however that the principle would be used to remove entire areas of provision. The loss of Hijinx Theatre as a revenue funded company will be a major loss for very many people in Wales, and in particular, adults with learning disability. Cutting the only company creating work specifically for this section of society is to my mind clear evidence of discrimination, and on that grounds alone entirely unacceptable. I urge Council in the strongest possible terms to recognise the strategic and cultural importance of Hijinx Theatre and ensure that the company remains a fully funded revenue client. Yours sincerely, Alison Woods cc. Mike Baker Anna Holmes Alun Michael MP Rhodri Morgan MP Cynog Dafis |
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Thursday, February 4, 1999 |
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