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The decision to undertake the review was the Committee’s own. For the first time a policy for Wales puts the Assembly in the lead for guiding its cultural ASPBs and for raising the profile of Welsh arts and culture both at home and abroad. The "arms length" principle is maintained however with funding and responsibility for detailed strategies remaining with the relevant ASPBs. The report sets out a Vision for Wales for 2010; and discusses the nature of culture and the arts; the role of the artist and the value of arts venues. The Committee believes its priorities should be : Young people Communities Cultural diversity Creative industries Standards. The underlying theme of the report is that culture and the arts mean more than the popular conception that they equate with the elite, the exclusive and the most expensive. This is underlined in 5 key chapters which set out the Committee’s vision of how they wish to see their policies and priorities realised. Some of the key recommendations in each are : Rich Culture – Strong Communities Community arts have great regeneration potential and should be an essential component of regeneration programmes There should be a Chair of Community Arts at a Welsh Higher Education Institution Confident Diversity – Positive Distinctiveness Partnerships should be developed between mentrai iaith and organisations promoting the arts both at national and local level The Arts Council to continue to work with practitioners in ethnic minority communities to established principles of racial equality The Arts Council to work with appropriate ASPBs to review their existing policies and plans in favour of equality of opportunity A Learning Country – A Richer Culture Every school in Wales should have an opportunity to benefit from at least one major new cultural and artistic opportunity annually The Council for Education and Training in Wales to undertake a study on a fair funding formula in post 16 education and training; the study should include extra curricular activities (incorporating sport and culture) A National Youth Arts Fund be established by the public and private sectors for investment in the provision of Arts for young people National Ambition- International Reach Wales Arts International should be given renewed impetus Individuals, companies and festivals, recognised on the international cultural stage could be designated as cultural and economic Ambassadors for Wales The new Assembly building to make the best possible use of available space for performance and exhibition The Presiding Office to consider creating an Order of Artists in Wales A clear audit and assessment of the role of National Remit companies in the cultural sector needs to take place across the art forms Festivals, accommodation data and other tourism opportunities should be linked in an annual programme of events for world wide publication on the internet A co-ordinated strategy for the Literary Arts should be developed with the publishing industry to provide more publication opportunities for Welsh writers Priority for theatre should be to nurture and strengthen grass roots activity across Wales; in the light of this the Arts Council should review its Drama Strategy and report by end 2001 The Arts Council should commission a survey or consultation exercise on the need for a co-ordinated National Dance Strategy Music teaching and music making in schools to be given proper space in the curriculum; music making in the community to be given due recognition and appropriate training mechanisms in place to enable musicians to perform and get established A study to be commissioned on the creation of a national digital gallery for the visual arts The National Museum of Wales to lead a debate on a National Gallery for Wales The funding base of Sgrin should be such so as to reduce its dependence on the broadcast industry Sgrin to be encouraged in the swift initiation of its media education policy which should be available bilingually The ACW, WDA and WTB should produce a craft strategy for Wales There are four key principles against which the policies should be taken forward: The Assembly to be responsible for setting overall policy, defining its implementation and funding; The Assembly should also take the lead in setting policy and in raising the profile of Welsh Arts and Culture both at home and abroad; That organisations other than ACW should be brought much more into the process, and that this should be done in a spirit of openness and transparency The First Secretary should give serious consideration to appointing a dedicated Assembly Secretary for Culture. Apart from the Assembly’s role, the Committee have recommended that a Cultural Consortium, "Cymru'n Creu" - be established to, inter alia, provide a forum for the discussion of particular opportunities or problems; to support action on the basis of partnership; and to provide an open information channel between the bodies concerned, with the Arts Council, and ultimately with the Assembly Secretary. The Committee believes that the Arts Council should be retained but broadly endorse the recommendations for reform contained in the ‘Wallace Report’. The Committee also believe that the Assembly Secretary should take charge of the process of reforming the Arts Council and recommend that the Secretary appoint a Task Force to assist with this process. The Report envisages a more prominent role for Local Authorities suggesting that they have a critical role to play in nurturing and supporting cultural activity in Wales. It recommends that the Assembly Secretary pursue with the Finance Secretary, the issue of local authority "ring-fencing" for the arts; and further suggests that the WLGA develop their proposals for a network of community development officers further, working closely with the Regional Committees of the Arts Council. Finally on funding, the Committee recommends that there should be an explicit shift to recognising the importance of community, grass-roots and voluntary activity in the development of arts and culture in Wales. Subject to their satisfactory performance and the availability of resources, national remit companies should receive real terms increases for the years ahead. The Assembly Secretary should also ensure that there is sufficient headroom available for a wider range of community arts and practitioners. "Feeder" connections should be revived and maintained so that the best of local activity links through at regional level, and the best of that to the national - embracing practitioners of every age, but perhaps especially the young. In launching the report, the Chair of the Post 16 Education and Training Committee said:- "This is a major piece of work by the Committee which poses a challenging programme to those with the responsibility for taking it forward. I hope the Assembly will rise to this challenge. Culture and Arts has suffered for too long from a perceived lack of priority by Government. The establishment of the Assembly now offers a wonderful opportunity not merely to acknowledge its importance to society but to exploit and nurture it to the benefit of everyone in Wales. " Culture is at the heart of our National enterprise; and the arts are central to the process of social, cultural and economic renaissance promoted by the Assembly. We have set out a Vision for 2010 which is achievable and practical and will improve the quality of life for all in Wales. I hope that the Cabinet will pursue our agenda with enthusiasm and vigour." |
| National Assembly of Wales web site: www.theatre-wales.co.uk/docs/commoncult.htm |
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Thursday, November 2, 2000 |
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