Wales

Arts Council Wales (ACW) has opened applications to its next multi-year funding programme.

The Investment Review 2023 marks the first opportunity for arts organisations in Wales to apply for multi-year funding since ACW’s last portfolio was announced in 2015.

It centres on six principles – creativity, widening engagement, Welsh language, climate justice, nurturing talent and transformation - that organisations must demonstrate their commitment to when they apply.

In December, Arts Professional published a guide for arts organisations considering applying for the programme. 

ACW has said any enquiries relating to the application process outside of technical issues must take place before 3 March. 

Applications close on 31 March.

Cardiff Council is considering turning the Museum of Cardiff into a mobile attraction as part of a consultation into its 2023/24 budget.

The move would result in the loss of the museum’s current building and most of its staff.

Cardiff residents will be asked to vote on the proposal to “take the museum out of the Old Library and make it a mobile attraction” - which the council says would save £266,000 a year – as part of a public consultation opening tomorrow (23 December).

The consultation proposes moving the museum’s displays and activities around Cardiff, with the museum retaining “a small key team” to continue with community engagement and care of the collection.

If plans to mobilise the museum go ahead, the consultation adds the museum could return to a permanent fixture “if a suitable location was found and funding secured”.

Members of the museum and heritage sector have criticised the plans. Community-based organisation Heritage & Cultural Exchange said “a closure or moving to virtual museum would be a tragedy”.

Museums Association Director Sharon Heal says it’s “a real shame the council has chosen to consult on closing Cardiff Museum”.

“We know that local authorities are facing a tough time and finding it difficult to make ends meet, however closing a much-loved local museum is not going to solve the council’s financial woes.

“Cardiff Museum is award-winning and its staff have worked with communities across the city and surrounding area to make sure that diverse stories are captured for future generations.”

“To take that away is short sighted and will mean a vital part of Cardiff’s cultural landscape and the story of the nation’s capital is missing.”

The Welsh Government is set to decrease the funding it gives to Arts Council Wales (ACW) in 2023/24 by 1.1%, according to its draft budget announcement.

ACW Chief Executive Dafydd Rhys called the cut to its revenue funding “naturally disappointing”, but thanked the Welsh Government for an extra £500,000 to support arts organisations amid the current cost-of-living crisis. Its budget for 2023/24 will be £33.3m.

“While we accept that Welsh Government had to make difficult decisions in these challenging and difficult times, we are naturally disappointed at this reduction in our funding,” Rhys said.

“However, we are glad to be receiving an additional £0.5m specifically to help arts organisations with the current cost-of-living crisis, that is putting a huge pressure on a sector just beginning to emerge from the significant challenges of the pandemic. 

“The Welsh Government’s support will help protect jobs and livelihoods across the arts.”

ACW will meet in just over a month’s time to confirm its spending plans for 2023/24.

Earlier this week, the funder released details of how it intends to run its next multi-year funding programme, which will be part-subsidised by Welsh Government Grant in Aid funding.

An arts and health initiative developed in Wales has helped improve the health and well-being of NHS patients, staff and the wider population, a new study has found.

As part of the Arts and Health Coordinator Capacity Building Programme,  established by Arts Council of Wales in 2018, arts and health coordinator roles have been introduced in all seven health boards in Wales.

An interim evaluation of the work found the roles have had a positive impact on the physical and mental health of patients and the wider population at various stages of their care - from prevention of illness through to treatment and recovery – as well as staff well-being.

The report found the programme has helped build credibility for arts and health work across the health and care system, leading to the delivery of good quality arts and health activity, helping develop arts and health strategies in some health boards, and supporting health board priorities.

Nesta Lloyd–Jones, Assistant Director at Welsh NHS Confederation, said: “The evaluation report evidences the critical role the arts and health coordinators play in supporting the health and wellbeing of the people in Wales.

“Wales is leading the way in embedding the arts across the health service, with a growing understanding of the impact the arts can have in improving health outcomes, countering inequalities and increasing social engagement."

Theatres could face closure if they do not receive support to help with the cost-of-living crisis, the Arts Council of Wales (ACW) has warned.

Giving evidence to a Welsh Government inquiry on the impact of rising costs, ACW interim chief executive Michael Elliott said more than 50% of arts venues that replied to a recent survey claimed they would be reducing their activities due to increasing costs.

Elliott said theatres would have to start looking at "safe, more well-known programming" of shows rather than more "creative and riskier programming" to make sure money is recouped, while touring productions would be seeking guarantees or fixed fees from theatres and venues.

In accompanying written evidence ACW said there has been a 20% to 40% increase in the costs of making productions since last year.

The submission also highlighted that independent arts companies and venues would 'face closure without increased support'.

It warned that ticket prices could be raised in response, with a reduction to the number of 'performances, exhibitions, community activity, touring, hours of operation and workforce levels' if support is not secured.