| Theatre Review Approaches Publication |
Arts Council Uncovered |
| New Structure Awaiting , Theatre of Wales , November 21, 2024 |
The Investment Review issued by the Arts Council of Wales on 27th September 2023 was 51 pages in length. They have yet to await a full commentary. The arts policies went undiscussed in the Senedd, which is the norm of the Chamber when it comes to the culture of Wales. It was, however, discussed in Westminster. The most senior figures of Wales' politics took part and the Council entered the parliamentary record of 1st February. “The Arts Council of Wales...just does not care—that is the problem.” It is a view. In fact the Council does care. But it opts to care about some things that are not pertinent to its purposes. On the day of publication an announcement was made of a review into theatre. Selectively, theatre performed in Welsh was to be excluded from assessment. That assessment takes place, but within the likes of publications like Golwg with their limited circulation. A view on the condition of the premier company can be seen below 24th October. The process now reaches its culmination. Submission to the Council is set for December and submission to the public of Wales early in 2025. It has a notable feature to it. The history of governance in the United Kingdom includes a long trail of reports that were uncomfortable in their conclusions. Quiet shelving was their fate. With this review the emphasis is that it will be converted to action. Jack Sargeant is on the record in the Senedd to that effect. Prior to its entry into the public domain its scope and purpose as defined by the Council is as follows: “This review will inform Arts Council of Wales’s future development and funding approaches and help determine where resources need to be directed to best support English language theatre for the greater public benefit to audiences. “To do this, the review will consider: “What are the gaps in English language theatre provision; what are audiences missing and why? What do audiences want? “How can we deliver ambitious work at scale that harnesses the nations creative skills and talents? “What might be the possible models for doing this? “What are the current avenues for supporting playwrights, theatre makers and associated professions and freelancers? “What successes and examples of best practice that we can build on (asset-based approach)? What work is finding and connecting with an audience as the sector builds back post pandemic? “How do we develop and scale and elevate productions to ‘national level’? What does this require? What to theatre makers need and when? “What level of Investment [sic] might be needed to support the ambition of the report. “What is the importance of an English National Theatre of Wales as an institution to the nation? “Mid-scale touring – how do we support work and models to take work to venues across Wales? What structures are required for theatre makers and venues? “Talent and skills development – how do we build on existing good practice? “What matters to the theatre sector and the associated professions in terms of talent development & retention and opportunities for new creative partnerships? “The role of international partnerships and opportunities. “What role can the Arts Council of Wales play in the above? Mindful of current investment in theatres and venues and the application of Lottery funds and maximising public value. Are there better ways to award funding from the Arts Council of Wales to support touring, theatre development and ambition? “We expect this work to produce the following: “A SWOT analysis of English Language theatre in Wales. This will be informed through: “Communication with audiences, stakeholders, makers, and communities – including those that are under-represented, do not have access or choose not to partake in existing theatre; “Supported by in-house ACW data analysis “Provide an outline action plan for the sector, including short, medium and long term aims with action commencing in quarter one of 2025/26. “This should “Provide a series of actionable recommendations for ACW on what needs to be done to support the sector in line with the resources available and its own priorities. “Include recommendations relating to broader partnership and stakeholders and could include models from outside of Wales where appropriate. “The final agreed version be written and formatted in Welsh and English language versions in a clear and accessible manner.” A guide to the sequence "Arts Council Uncovered" read be read on the first link below. |
Reviewed by: Adam Somerset |
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