• Share on Facebook
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Linkedin
  • Share by email
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Linkedin
  • Share by email

The development of a well-resourced and sustainable network of regional venues across Wales is central to new proposals by the Arts Council of Wales (ACW) for the distribution of £2m of Welsh Assembly Government funding for arts organisations outside Cardiff. A further investment is also proposed in ACW?s Night Out scheme, which targets community organisations throughout Wales, with particular focus on to those wards designated as ?Communities First? areas.
The funding package was first announced by the Welsh Assembly Government in 2003, with the intention of enabling people across the whole of Wales to gain better access to performing arts programmes of a similar scale and quality to those being offered at the Wales Millennium Centre. It was initially earmarked for distribution between existing venues and for increasing the range and quality of touring productions available to communities outside Cardiff. However, in the light of the Boyden report into theatre in Wales (ArtsProfessional issue 82, September 20), and the launch last year of a £1m Sustainability Fund to help organisations across Wales achieve financial and artistic stability, ACW is now proposing eight new objectives for the allocation of the money. It hopes to use the funding to optimise the return on its existing investments, particularly capital Lottery projects, and provide appropriate revenue funding to ensure the long-term viability of strategically important organisations. Under the new proposals, theatres that are deemed to operate to the highest standards of artistic programming, audience development, customer care, technical support and education/outreach will be invited to apply for regional hub status. If successful they will receive awards covering a three-year period, and will be expected to disseminate some of their work through other local venues and organisations such as festivals. ACW's proposals are currently subject to a formal consultation process, which will close on November 19.