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Policy Review : Arts and Culture in Wales Suggested Content of Committee Report |
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POST-16 EDUCATION AND TRAINING COMMITTEE – ETR 15-00 (p1a) Date : 28 June Time : 9.00am – 12.30pm Venue : Committee Room 1, National Assembly Building Policy Review : Arts and Culture in Wales Suggested Content of Committee Report Purpose To update the Committee on progress on the review, the themes that have emerged and to seek suggestions on the content and structure of the report. The structure of the report and some suggested headings and issues are attached at Annex A. Please note that these are only the provisional thoughts of the Secretariat and the Committee's Expert Advisor. The Committee’s views on the emerging themes and issues and on the suggested structure and content of the report are now sought in order that drafting might begin for presentation to the Committee in September. Progress There have been 13 "arts and culture" sessions (including 4 in different venues around Wales) since the review started on 19 January. A written consultation exercise was also undertaken. Analysis of both sets of representations is now underway and will be made available to Members shortly. A complete set of responses will be available in the Assembly's Library by the end of the week. Themes and Issues The review has attracted widespread interest and there is a vast amount of material to be analysed. Nonetheless a number of consistent themes have emerged, some of which the Committee have already agreed upon: The need to redefine what we mean by arts and culture That cultural vitality and diversity should be at the heart of the arts policy. Other themes which have emerged are : Arts need to be seen as far more than great literature, music and fine art (the redefinition issue) The important contribution of community, voluntary and amateur arts activities should be recognised and harnessed Equally the importance of high profile companies and activities in terms of their contribution to the economy, standards of excellence and raising the profile of Wales should similarly be recognised The need to be more proactive in promoting the Creative Industries and Cultural Tourism The importance of arts in Learning and Skills. In terms of art forms some of the key issues are : Whether a National Theatre should be established and if so in what form The provision of dance training and a national strategy for dance Support for Welsh Literature The role of broadcasters and New Technology. The Committee has already asked that further work be done on the role of the National Performing Arts Companies. In taking forward an Arts policy, the Committee has agreed that the Assembly should take the policy lead. The Committee has also indicated that the Arts Council may require restructuring and rebranding and it is suggested that the Committee take note of the Assembly Secretary’s management review before determining what form, if any, that should take. Some other issues key issues arising from the consultation are dealt with in ETR-15-00(p.1b) Action for Committee The Committee’s views are sought on the review's key themes, the proposed structure and content of the Committee report, and in particular on the outline of the "Vision". Committee Secretariat June 2000 ANNEX A SUGGESTED CONTENT OF COMMITTEE REPORT ON ARTS & CULTURE IN WALES (for discussion) Chapter Headings Introduction The current arts' scene The Consultation Roles and Responsibilities The Vision Culture and Communities Diversity, Distinctiveness and Delivery Profile, Participation and Practitioners Learning & Skills Culture, Arts and Wealth Creation Recommendations, Targets and Mechanisms Appendix 1. INTRODUCTION To include: The reasons behind the review and for its timing Setting the review in the context of the vision outlined in Better Wales How the arts fit into the wider cultural scene Increasing awareness that artistic creativity is a major economic sector in its own right Opportunities afforded by Objective 1 Recognition of the variations of opportunity to access/participate in the arts across communities in Wales Value of the arts to social inclusion Relationship between culture and identity/distinctiveness 2. THE CURRENT ARTS SCENE IN WALES Strengths A great deal to celebrate Cultural diversity A flowering of community activity Richness and variety of art and art forms Weaknesses No forum to bring funders and practitioners together to build on strengths No strategy for training and development Low key marketing, promotion and celebration Lack of critical understanding by ACW Too much competition between art forms Arts and culture are pigeon holed and not seen as integral to community development, social inclusion, wealth creation and national success No clear investment strategy {Identify successes and weaknesses by theme} COMMUNITY ARTS Strengths Identified participation at every level Acknowledge the significant contribution of the Rowntree report Recognise the empowering nature of community arts and their contribution in tackling social exclusion Perceived Weaknesses Projects can be hard to sustain Energies are often dissipated looking for sources of funding Links with community regeneration projects can be tenuous Little acknowledgement/status for community arts – they are not seen as mainstream Limited support infrastructure, sources of advice, guidance etc Real problems of quality assurance and avoiding "scattergun" investment HIGH PROFILE COMPANIES/ACTIVITIES Welsh National Opera BBC National Orchestra of Wales The National Eisteddfod Urdd Gobaith Cymru Clwyd Theatr Cymru Diversions The Welsh College of Music and Drama The Pop Industry The Film Industry and Sgrin Festivals (eg Hay) Strengths High standards Importance of product Contributes to raising Wales' national and international profile Economic benefits, including from tourism Other multipliers, including concerted links with Cadw, National Museum and Galleries of Wales, National Library of Wales, local authorities, public libraries, Botanic Gardens, Welsh College of Horticulture, Techniquest, schools, Further and Higher Education, business. Perceived Weaknesses In some cases, feeder progression within Wales is limited NPACs have emerged in a haphazard way Marketing and promotion of community/education based activity could be improved NPACs underdeveloped as a resource/service to Wales CULTURAL DIVERSITY Strengths A cause for celebration Identify range eg Eisteddfod, Welsh Language, multicultural activity etc "Traditional" and "contemporary" Perceived Weaknesses Multiculturalism not always widely acknowledged – sense of tokenism People’s passivity – need to build confidence Need for a greater celebration of cultural diversity Some aspects of Wales's indigenous culture have tended to be ignored CREATIVE INDUSTRIES Strengths Development of S4C - now profit making world wide Animation Opportunities provided by Objective 1 Relatively strong economic base, major influence on Welsh economy, employment etc Perceived Weaknesses No one looking at how the creative industries can flower further Potential of craft industry not acknowledged Lack of coordination Cultural tourism potential not fully exploited LEARNING & SKILLS Strengths Breadth and balance of the National Curriculum High levels of participation by young people eg Urdd Festivals Key institutions and departments of international reputation in Further and Higher Education (eg Film and Media) National Youth Orchestra of Wales Estyn reports Perceived Weaknesses Estyn reports Museums and Libraries could do more to enrich the curriculum - especially by digitising their materials Out of school activities and better focus NEW TECHNOLOGY Strengths Opportunities through the broadcasters and Digital College for Life Long Learning Software production capabilities Young website creators Perceived Weaknesses Fewer computers in Wales than in many other countries Problems with digital access Limited software authorship skills among practitioners 3. THE CONSULTATION A short chapter on the review; the emerging key themes; its uniqueness – Committee – arts not reviewed in this way before – openness – regional meetings. Widespread interest – large number of written submissions in addition to the oral presentations. 4. ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES Who does what? The Assembly to set policy for all sponsored bodies The ASPBs to deliver policy The implications for the Arts Council and its structure (taking into account the outcome of the Assembly Secretary's management review) NPACs The role of local authorities The role of other ASPBs Other bodies A Cultural Forum A Creative Industries Task Force THE VISION (NB: The bullet points here are not meant to be prescriptive, they are for Committee discussion on 28 June) General Want to see a creative society with a flowering of activity in the community Arts should be part of the fabric of everyone’s life Wales branded as culturally rich Young people having more opportunities and a wider range to enjoy and contribute Add to the richness in people’s lives – promote a sense of identity Arts activity as an interpretation of life in Wales Arts informing distinctiveness – traditional, indigenous, new Innovation as well as an appreciation of heritage Creation of a new cultural identity Distinctiveness through cultural mix and social history Question the concept that culture is limited to great literature, music and fine art alone – need broader statement on what is valid, enriching and enjoyable Excellence at all levels Amateur/professional continuum Creative Wales with a common culture and no barriers The value of artists in a culturally rich Wales CULTURE AND COMMUNITIES Vibrant Culture - Stronger Communities Communities First strategies should include arts projects as part of community regeneration Strengthening of community arts umbrella groups Umbrella groups on Cultural Forum Ask HEFCW/Ymlaen to consider concept of a Chair in Community arts at a Welsh Higher Education institution A network of animateurs ACW to use lottery funds for better marketing and training in completion of applications Extend lottery funding to 5 years – use it for core funding under strict conditions DIVERSITY, DISTINCTIVENESS AND DELIVERY Confident Distinctiveness - A Secure Diversity Curriculum materials and in-service training to provide basis for cultural diversity ACCAC, Academi and Welsh Books Council to consider strengthening the availability of Anglo-Welsh writing Consider whether the music development fund needs expanding Strengthen Festivals of Wales & encourage better linkage with Wales Tourist Board? Bring artists into schools more? Infrastructure to cross link organisations to support cultural diversity New technology PROFILE, PARTICIPATION AND PRACTITIONERS National Ambition - International Reach Underline responsibilities of national institutions? Questionable whether national institutions should be located mainly in Cardiff? Give certain venues national status? Tighter contract with national organisations without inhibiting them? Need closer links between BBC NoW, WCMD, National Youth Orchestra of Wales? The vision by artform Theatre Element of federalisation needed? Investment in young people's theatre Scope for broadcasters to pay back more to theatre? Importance of community theatre Welsh Language theatre Music Benefits of expanding diversity of music provision Greater recognition for traditional, jazz, pop Lack of opportunities for Welsh composers BBC NoW's commissioning of Welsh composers Dance National strategy for dance An increased recognition of community dance Recognise "Steps in Time" Dance training at WCMD? Opportunities for training through the medium of Welsh Dance as an aid to social inclusion Dance and disability Literature Poet(s) Laureate for Wales? Better joined-up thinking by literary organisations Opportunities for creation of literary NPAC? Creating the market Impact of new technologies Film Media education Impact of new technologies Greater autonomy for Sgrin An International film school for Wales? Opportunities provided by film festivals Animation Broadcasting Broadcasters' role in nurturing and developing acting and writing talent Arts broadcasting Visual Arts Consider options for making better use of National Museums and Galleries of Wales' space to provide a gallery of Welsh art A virtual national gallery International possibilities Craft Greater marketing, promotion and investment of the Welsh craft industry LEARNING AND SKILLS A Learning Country - A Richer Culture Instigate a report into how to ensure that National Youth organisations are exploited effectively Strengthen Arts & Young People Task Force Schools, Further and Higher Education development plans and strategies to include new sections on artistic and cultural development The Careers Services CETW: CCETs Business Support The voluntary sector, skills and accreditation CULTURE, ARTS AND WEALTH CREATION Creative Enterprise - A Richer Nation Business sponsorship Opening up markets Objective One Opportunities for business Marketing RECOMMENDATIONS, TARGETS AND MECHANISMS & EVALUATION This section to contain a commentary on the profile of funding for publicly supported arts bodies over the last five years; a list of costed recommendations, together with suggestions for phasing their implementation over time and in line with available resources. APPENDIX To contain some facts and figures on the consultation exercise and a list of those bodies and individuals who submitted representations. |
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Wednesday, June 28, 2000 |
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