News Comment

As reported in AP221, the Arts Council of Wales’ (ACW) Investment Review provided the framework for the most comprehensive and detailed examination of funding that we’ve ever undertaken. For over a year we argued and debated, counted and measured, assessed and scrutinised, talked about what we’d seen, heard or taken part in. Our goal was simple – to secure a vibrant and durable arts sector for the future, where the best of our artists and arts organisations can thrive, not merely survive. Exciting but daunting stuff.
In recent years, the Welsh Assembly Government has shown a willingness to reward innovation and success, as with the creation of National Theatre Wales. So taking shape in the back of our mind was a case that we’d want to develop for continued investment in future growth and success. Then somewhere around the middle of our review process, the world economy collapsed. Suddenly all the talk was of debt, belt tightening and cuts.
But for ACW, the point had never been about making cuts for cuts’ sake. It was about being sure that we were spending our funds in the right way, rewarding success and enterprise, looking to the future not propping up the past. So we chose not to use the worsening economic climate as a convenient excuse, nor did we deflect attention onto potential government funding cuts that might come at some point in the future. We’ve been clear throughout that these are our decisions, for which we, ACW, must be held accountable.
I’d like to think that adopting a direct and straightforward approach has been an important dimension to what we’ve been doing. From the outset we consulted widely on our intentions, offered help and support, and provided regular bulletins on our progress. And where we found ourselves grappling with problems, we explained what the issues were and how we were trying to address them.
The feedback that we’ve received has been overwhelmingly positive. Of course, not everyone is pleased with the outcome, and we mustn’t forget the needs of the organisations whose revenue funding will end next March. But we hadn’t expected the feedback to be so positive, and even where we’ve been passing on deeply disappointing news, it’s been met with a quiet, professional dignity that demands respect.
What I hope people will take away from our Investment Review is the recognition that my Council and my staff colleagues care passionately about the arts in Wales. This is why we’ll do all we can to still help those who won’t be revenue funded in the future to find other ways of continuing their work. It’s also why, in spite of the financial uncertainties ahead, we’ll continue to argue that now isn’t the time to undermine one of Wales’ great success stories. It’s not going to be easy, but we owe it to all who participated in our Investment Review that we present our case with all the vigour we can muster.