|
Winners and losers have been announced by the Arts Council of Wales |
Big financial winners and losers have been announced by the Arts Council of Wales including a big boost for National Theatre Wales.New companies have been added to the ACW approved list but some of Wales’ key venues have seen their money cut. ACW also signalled the start of the process to cut its own costs as part of the overall reduction in its budget. Over the coming three years ACW will see its Welsh Assembly Government programme funding reduced by 4 per cent and has to cut its own running costs by 12 per cent. The 71 companies that were spared the axe in the ACW’s funding review last year will share funding of just over £24.25million in 2011/12. This is a big increase on the current funding of £20.55million. As expected there will be extra money for some of the national companies such as Welsh National Opera, BBC National Orchestra of Wales and Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru and more money also for National Theatre Wales and National Dance Company Wales. More money for the big boys is politically balanced by increased funding to community arts organisations especially those working across the South Wales Valleys such as Valleys Kids, RCT Community Arts and Head for Arts. The figures however can be misleading, particularly for organisations that had been getting extra money under the ACW’s Beacon Awards scheme. For example, NDCWales funding rises from £731,809 to £875,000, an increase of £143,191. However, as the company was receiving a similar amount under the ACW’s Beacon Awards this amounts to stand still funding. This will affect a host of organisations. Others are genuine winners. National Theatre Wales’ funding jumps by a healthy £335,000 to £1,685,000 and Welsh National Opera has a huge increase of £250,000 to a staggering £4,755,808 with its touring base of just three Welsh venues. One surprise is the inclusion of five new organisations – and these are the real winners. NoFit State, Sinfonia Cymru, Theatr Ffynnon, Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias and Independent Ballet Wales all become revenue funded for the first time. Gwent-based Independent Ballet Wales and Cardiff’s NoFit State Circus, for example, each receive £200,000. There have, however, been cuts to St David’s Hall, Cardiff and the Grand Theatre, Swansea and Venue Cymru. Some stay level such as Theatr Hafren. The venues will be disappointed as there is already a squeeze in their funding from local authority spending reductions. The other cut is to Hijinx which loses £74,448 with the earlier ACW decision to cut its remit, losing funding for its annual community tour. Implementation of the Arts Council’s funding strategy will start in the current year with 13 organisations sharing £800,000 of funding designed to launch the new investment programme. Extra money for this financial year will go various companies including NDCWales, Oriel Mostyn, Galeri in Caernarfon, Chapter and Mid Wales Opera. It is understood that for some organisations there was a risk of shortfalls, especially with those that had received ACW Beacon Award funding in the previous two years. ACW 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.” He added: “Our current funding programme of arts spending continues until March 2011. This gives us the time to consult on new funding streams, ensuring that they appropriately meet the needs of our artists, arts organisations and audiences. “Through the careful marshalling of our resources we’ve been able to get ahead of the game and give our new strategy an important kick start. It’s important we do this because tough times lie ahead. At a time when public funds are under unprecedented pressure, no-one in the publicly funded arts can take public support for granted. The arts must create its very best work, and reach out as widely as possible to the many diverse communities across Wales.” |
| web site: |
| Mike Smith e-mail: |
Thursday, December 16, 2010 |
Older news
stories have been carefully archived.
2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999