Wales

Welsh theatre 'can't afford' access for disabled actors

22 Feb 2022

Disabled actors are unable to perform at Theatre Colwyn because Conwy County Council cannot afford a wheelchair lift.

The council owned theatre underwent a £740,000 redevelopment in 2011 that included disabled access on all floors, but no disabled access to the stage.

During a committee meeting, Theatre Colwyn Manager Phil Batty said installing backstage disabled access would cost a £250,000.

He said: "It is the lift issue that is the cost. We did look into that, but it hasn’t moved any further. Obviously we’ve had Covid the last few years, but we will certainly pick it up again."

Conwy Counil’s Head of Economy and Culture Sarah Ecob said council is considering an installation, but it is complicated by the building's footprint.

Conwy disability champion Frank Bradfield called the issue an equal rights matter: “The cost of the lift doesn’t come into the rights or wrongs of it. You can’t discriminate against people on grounds of disability.”

End of restrictions for Welsh venues

21 Feb 2022

Venues in Wales no longer need to ask for Covid passes and legal requirements around the use of face coverings will expire February 28.

Deputy Arts Minister Dawn Bowden said Friday (February 18) that venues can continue to use the passes if they want: "We are confident that coronavirus rates are falling and we can look forward to brighter times ahead."

The change was welcomed by the Night Time Industries Association, which vehemently opposed the policy.

"The actions of the Welsh Government are still subject to a call by our members for evidence to substantiate the closure of nightclubs over and above other businesses," CEO Michael Kill said.

North Wales theatre set for £33m refurb

14 Feb 2022

Theatre Clwyd in Mold is set to undergo a £33m refurbishment.

Approved and funded by Flintshire County Council, Arts Council of Wales, and the Welsh Government, the 45-year-old building will be repaired and expanded into a more energy-efficent site.

The council is calling for contractors to carry out the redevelopment.

Theatre Clwyd’s website says the new building will safeguard the creation of theatre in Wales.

“The world-class facilities for making costume, sets and props will match the work created on our stages, ensuring a long, sustainable and successful future.”

ACW diversity overhaul to reshape portfolio and leadership

14 Feb 2022

Big changes are coming for Wales' arts funding body after critical reports highlighted gaps in its engagement with ethnic minority, D/deaf and disabled communities.

Audience development

Human resources

Wales to withdraw Covid pass from venues

14 Feb 2022

The Welsh Government is set to reduce its Covid restrictions further.

From Friday (February 18), a Covid pass will no longer be required to enter nightclubs, cinemas and theatres. Mandatory face mask wearing will be dropped 10 days later on February 28.

Night Time Industries Associations (NTIA) CEO Michael Kill welcomed the announcement, saying many businesses think restrictions have gone on for too long.

“The further relaxation of restrictions will see businesses finally able to plan for the future with some level of certainty."

Wales aims for zero carbon screen sector

02 Feb 2022

New targets for decarbonising Wales' screen sector are on their way.

Screen New Deal: Transformation Plan will see the BFI, BAFTA albert and Arup collaborate with Creative Wales, Fflim Cymru Wales and Clwstwr to create new sustainability recommendations for the industry.

The 18-month programme will begin with 12 months' data collection, followed by zero carbon, zero waste plan of action.

The initiative responds to the Screen New Deal report in 2020, which explored the film sector's carbon impact.

“Taking this work across a screen cluster’will develop practical and sustainable outcomes that can work for all productions and help reduce the sector's carbon footprint,” BFI Deputy CEO Harriet Finney said.

New entrants eligible in latest Wales CRF

01 Feb 2022

The third round of Wales' Cultural Recovery Fund (CRF) is open, with organisations that have not previously received support eligible to apply.

£15.4m is available in total, though £2.2m has already been awarded to over 88 applicants.

Businesses must prove their turnover fell by at least 50% during the past three months compared to the same period pre-pandemic.

The Welsh Government's Cultural Recovery Fund is open to all cultural organisations and is separate to Arts Council of Wales' Cultural Recovery Fund, which is available to only arts organisations.

The previous two rounds provided £93m to organisations and individuals across Wales' cultural sector.

“We are fully aware that these impacted sectors continue to face new pressures,” Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport Dawn Bowden said.

Applications close February 11.

Work on Welsh language arts strategy begins

26 Jan 2022

Arts Council of Wales is set to begin work on a new strategy for Welsh and the arts.

The funder says it will draw up the strategy in collaboration with the arts and Welsh language sectors.

Individuals and organisations interested in contributing are invited to attend fortnightly Zoom discussions starting February 9, hosted by Einir Siôn, recently appointed as the council’s first Welsh Language Enabler.

Siôn says the strategy will be formed in an open and participatory way, with public discussions focused on actions the Arts Council can take in the arts: “This will not be a platform to air complaints but an opportunity to discuss positive ways of creating change."

Wales loosens restrictions on events

14 Jan 2022

A plan to remove Covid restrictions in Wales has been mapped out by First Minister Mark Drakeford.

Capacity limits on outdoor events in Wales will rise from 50 to 500 tomorrow (January 15) and be removed completely in a week’s time (January 21).

Nightclubs are scheduled to reopen from January 28, to coincide with the removal of social distancing requirements – a wait Theatres Trust Director Jon Morgan called “disappointing”.

Covid passports will still be required for entry into nightclubs, events, cinemas, concert halls and theatres.

The Welsh Government says plans are in line with the latest public health data but depend on continued improvements.

Creu Cymru is pleased to see the roadmap in place, after estimating Welsh theatres lost up to £10m during the latest round of restrictions.

“Alongside the news of a further Culture Recovery Fund, this will go a long way to help a sector hugely affected by restrictions.”

Wales adds £10m in emergency funding

12 Jan 2022

The Welsh Government has made another £10.1m of Culture Recovery Fund money available to organisations affected by recent restrictions.

The £15.4m scheme, which includes £5.25m in winter stability funding, is open for applications via the Arts Council of Wales today (January 12).

Events are currently capped at 30 people indoors and 50 outdoors, two metres' social distancing is required in public and where possible at work, and the rule of six applies to any group visiting a theatre, gallery, museum or cinema.

Eligibility for the fund hinges on demonstrating a financial loss since December. The arts council's Chair Phil George acknowledged arts organisations "are facing a period of serious financial challenge".

"We are determined to ensure that arts and cultural organisations who play a key role in the wellbeing of communities across Wales will be able to bring solace, delight and vision as we struggle with the pandemic and as we recover and rebuild. The need for this support has obviously become even more urgent as a result of the impact of the Omicron variant.”

Wales establishes £5.25m winter stability fund

22 Dec 2021

The Welsh Government is making £5.25m available to assist Welsh arts organisations, museums, libraries and independent cinemas through the winter.

Aimed at organisations at risk of closure or job losses due to Covid-19, the fund will cover activity from 1 October to 31 March. Applications will open on 12 January until 26 January.

The Welsh Government says the money is separate from a £120m package announced to assist businesses affected by the tightening of Covid restrictions.

Welsh Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport Dawn Bowden has asked organisations to think carefully if they need to make an application.

"It’s important funds are given to those in the most urgent need. This fund is about survival, it is not about compensating for temporarily reduced profits."

Drakeford defends decision to close nightclubs

20 Dec 2021

Wales' night-time economy may raise a legal challenge in response to closures.

Vaccine passports 'not sustainable' in Wales

17 Dec 2021

A month after implementation, venues say Covid passes have had the opposite effect on audience confidence than the policy intended.

Wales extends creative curriculum until 2025

06 Dec 2021

Wales' action plan for creative learning has been extended until March 2025.

Since its launch in 2015, 84% of Welsh schools have engaged with the creative curriculum, creating 238,000 opportunities for learners.

The Welsh Government will announce curriculum reforms next year that are expected to include expressive arts as one of six core pillars.

Arts Council of Wales Director of Arts Engagement Diane Hebb said the three year extension will support arts-rich experiences in school.

“The achievements of the programme to date have been extraordinary and evidence continues to show that the impact has been transformational for learners, teachers and schools, and indeed for artists alike.”

Welsh gallery wins Sanctuary accolade

29 Nov 2021

Swansea’s Glynn Vivian Art Gallery has become the UK’s first Art Gallery of Sanctuary.

The distinction is awarded by City of Sanctuary UK to community groups, private organisations and public sector services that demonstrate a special commitment to inclusivity.

The council-owned gallery offers weekly art sessions led by and for refugees and people seeking asylum in the local community.

Thanuja Hettiarachchi, Coordinator of Swansea City of Sanctuary’s 10th anniversary programme, said the Glynn Vivian does everything it can to include sanctuary seekers in all its activities.

City of Sanctuary UK Chief Officer Siân Summers-Rees added: “The Glynn Vivian reflects our concept of sanctuary in arts so well."

Stand and Be Counted was the UK's first Theatre Company of Sanctuary, with others including the Young Vic, Belgrade Theatre, and Leeds Playhouse following suit.

Vaccine passport extended to Welsh theatres and cinemas

09 Nov 2021

The Senedd has voted to make Covid vaccine passports a condition of entry to theatres and cinemas in Wales from Monday (November 15).

Labour ministers first called for the extension, which gained support from Plaid Cymru, passing 39 votes to 15 on Tuesday evening (November 5).

A Plaid Cymru spokesperson said the party will “support evidence-based actions that can help to limit transmission and keep the people of Wales safe”.

The decision has divided opinion. The Wales Millennium Centre says it welcomes any move that allows it to remain open, but Picturedrome Cinemas Director Steve Reynolds said theatres and cinemas are being “picked on”.

Civil liberties campaign Big Brother Watch said it would start legal proceedings against the Welsh Government following the results, calling Covid passes "authoritarian, invasive and unevidenced".

Passes for entry to nightclubs and larger events in Wales became mandatory last month following a narrow 28-27 vote.

Online opera course to take students 'behind the scenes'

03 Nov 2021

A new online initiative for opera lovers from the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama (RWCMD) aims to shed light on the complex workings of the opera and musical theatre industry.

Opera 360 will include short courses led by RWCMD tutors, offering "behind the scenes" knowledge of working in the industry.

The college is also offering a full Opera 360 Masters degree, which can be applied for through UCAS.

James Lea, course leader of Opera 360, said: “We wanted to offer a course that allows people to see how opera is brought to the stage.

“The myriad formats in which opera is produced, and its ability to reach diverse audiences, are subjects worthy of serious study.”

Opera 360 will launch in September 2022.

City of Culture 2025 a 'springboard' regardless of longlist

11 Oct 2021

The challenge now for some of the latecomers will be completing years' worth of planning in weeks.

Audience development

Local authorities

Northern Ireland

‘Re-veiling’ commemorates the truth of statues

A procession of people

06 Oct 2021

We often don’t notice statues of people, but they are part of our cultural history. Who are they? Why are they there? And where are the women? These are questions that fascinate Wanda Zyborska.

Swansea Council opens £50k Cultural Fund

22 Sep 2021

Swansea Council has opened a £50,000 Cultural Fund to help its local arts and culture sector bounce back from the pandemic.

Swansea-based freelancers and organisations working in arts, culture and heritage can claim up to £1,500.

"We know that with lost income and more pressure on audiences' purses than ever, the costs of staging events or concerts will be daunting for some local groups. This is where we think we can help," cabinet member Robert Francis-Davies said.

"Swansea's cultural community is crucial to keeping our city strong and our residents fit and healthy."

To apply for funding, applicants must email the council and return a completed application before October 31.

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