|
National Assembly debates Welsh language theatre
|
Eleanor Burnham: Do you agree that we should commend and welcome the work of Clwyd Theatr Cymru in schools?
Jenny Randerson: Yes, and I am pleased that the Arts Council of Wales is close to reaching an agreement on the funding for the mobile theatre tour, which Clwyd Theatr Cymru has undertaken in previous years. The tour's future was in doubt at one point because of funding problems.
David Lloyd: There was criticism during the Urdd National Eisteddfod recently about the lack of support from the Arts Council of Wales for producing and promoting drama competitions in the festival. Why is that? Is it because of a lack of resources, or does the Minister agree with the arts council that the idea is not exciting enough?
Jenny Randerson: I was not aware of any such criticism; the Urdd Eisteddfod received considerably more funding this year. We are considering the future. The arts council had a strong presence at the eisteddfod, with a much-admired display of art produced for a competition. Please write to me with details of the criticisms that you heard. No such criticisms were expressed to me by the festival organisers.
David Melding: Do you agree that if Wales had a national theatre, perhaps based in north Wales, it would go a long way to encourage new drama?
Jenny Randerson: Wales has a national theatre; I invite you to visit Clwyd Theatr Cymru, which was designated as such by the arts council a considerable time ago. Clwyd Theatr Cymru and the arts council are working together to develop its role as a national theatre. I also point out the considerably increased funding for Sgript Cymru, which is responsible for developing new writing for the theatre in English and Welsh.
Lorraine Barrett: Will you continue to support funding for Hijinx Theatre? It does marvellous work in conjunction with Mencap in staging dramas such as last night's production at City Hall, which the First Minister attended, which dealt with the challenging situations that people with learning difficulties face.
Jenny Randerson: I hope that support for Hijinx in the future will be strong, particularly as it will be located in the Wales Millennium Centre
from the end of 2004. Hijinx's work pinpoints the important cross-cutting nature of cultural issues-they are at the heart of social inclusion and
regeneration.
Funding Welsh-medium Theatre
Q5 The Leader of the Opposition (Ieuan Wyn Jones): Will the Minister make a statement on the funding levels available to Welsh-medium theatre?
(OAQ18413)
Jenny Randerson: In 2001-02 the Arts Council of Wales revenue grant to Welsh-medium theatres totalled nearly £840,000, and £74,000 was also allocated from lottery funds. Revenue spend this year is expected to be around £986,000. In addition, nearly £47,000 was allocated to Welsh language performances for the night out scheme in 2001-02. The arts council has also set aside £250,000 for this year to make a start on its proposals for a Welsh language national theatre.
Ieuan Wyn Jones: I am sure that you will wish to express support for community initiatives to develop drama through the medium of Welsh, for example, the youth theatre group in Anglesey that is establishing such an initiative. Would you also-and I listened carefully to your comments on the funding available-support funding streams for them? These initiatives offer a unique and invaluable experience to young people and your support would indicate to the arts council that this is the kind of initiative you want it to support.
Jenny Randerson: Such projects are in the strategy, 'Creative Future'. The arts council is developing its own detailed five-year strategy, which is based on 'Creative Future'. That strategy will be available in July. The arts council has also received a considerable increase in funding this year. Projects, such as the undoubtedly valuable one to which you referred, will be considered in light of those strategies.
David Davies: Not enough funding is available for the theatre in Wales at the moment. However, we spend a great deal of money in producing documents.
Is it time to change our priorities?
Jenny Randerson: Those two points are totally unconnected. I take issue with your bald statement that there is not enough money available. There is never enough money for any project in any country. We can always spend more money.
However, the arts council has received an increase in funding of almost 30 per cent this year. That is a dramatic increase by anyone's standards |
Natioanl Assembly for Wales
web site: |
e-mail: |
Thursday, June 20, 2002 |
|
|
|
|
Older news
stories have been carefully archived.
2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999
