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Arts Council of Wales consults on new approach to diversity

A new Strategic Equality Action Plan has been drawn up after researchers found that some aspects of the arts in Wales are becoming less diverse.

Liz Hill
2 min read

The Arts Council of Wales (ACW) is consulting on new steps to “reconnect” with diverse communities “in a more meaningful and proactive way”. The move follows the publication of evidence in its 2014/15 Annual Equality Report suggesting some aspects of the arts in Wales have become less diverse in recent years.

A draft Strategic Equality Action Plan for 2016-21 has been drawn up. It aims to increase the diversity of arts audiences and participants, improve representation in the governance of arts organisations and develop a workforce that better reflects the diversity of Wales.

Cause for concern

Admitting that its equalities work has “fallen short” of achieving the objectives in its 2012 Strategic Plan, ACW has put forward plans to “actively engage, consult, inform, encourage, [and] challenge ourselves and our partners”.

Among the figures of particular concern that have led to the new Action Plan are:

  • • The 31% fall in the number of disabled arts attenders since the previous year, and the 24% drop in the number of attenders from BME backgrounds, despite an increase in the number of events targeted at these groups.
  • • The 10% decrease in the number of disabled people employed in the arts between 2013/14 and 2014/15.
  • • The low numbers of applications for ACW posts from ‘protected characteristic’ groups.
  • • The 11% fall in the number of disabled people on the governing bodies at ACW’s funded organisations, and the low number of people from BME backgrounds on these boards – just 11 out of 764.
  • • The consistently low number of groups led by those with protected characteristic who apply for and receive Lottery funding.

Proposals

The draft strategy puts forward a series of proposals for action to tackle the issues identified, including targeted programmes aimed at improving the diversity of audiences.

Arts Portfolio Wales organisations will be asked to submit Strategic Equality Action Plans against which progress will be monitored, and ACW’s Board Development Programme and new Resilience Scheme will support them to diversify their boards.

The consultation asks the arts community to comment on whether the proposed actions will help ACW to achieve its objectives, and whether any other actions should be taken.

Responses should be sent to [email protected] by 18 October 2016.