The achievements of the Arts Council of Wales (ACW) in 2005/06 have been documented in its latest annual report, which states that 91% of its expenditure was directed towards supporting front-line arts organisations and artists. The report, which is set in the context of declining Lottery income levels and the ongoing threat by the Welsh Assembly Government to take away ACWs control of funding for Wales six national companies, documents the organisations performance against a series of key targets.
Following a review of ACWs portfolio of funded organisations and the identification of synergies between organisations, the number of regularly funded clients fell by 12.5%. Further strategic alliances and mergers designed to redirect resources to front-line arts participation, performance and presentation, and on improving the artistic product are mooted as a likely strategy for the future. The report warns that, &in the face of our having inadequate funding to continue to effectively sustain the existing portfolio of revenue clients, and our need to meet other known commitments, we envisage the probability of taking even more difficult decisions in the future.
Published: 15-01-2007