Funding will be distributed across Wales to venues and organisations both large and small, including artforms from opera, music and dance to theatre and circus.
After discussions about the financial crisis facing the arts in Wales, the Welsh Government released emergency funding of £1.5 million in October. Arts Council of Wales (ACW) was given responsibility for administering the fund set up to help arts organisations to protect livelihoods and strengthen resilience in the arts sector.
Demand for the fund was high; Arts Council of Wales received applications from 95 organisations with a total ask of around £4.9m. Faced with very immediate and convincing applications for support, Arts Council executives proposed to their full Council that some of ACW’s limited reserves should be added to the fund and this was approved. Following further discussions, Welsh Government provided an additional £1m, creating a total fund of £3.6m.
“This package of much-needed support will I’m sure be welcomed by the sector, although we do sympathise with those organisations that we are unable to support at this time,” said Dafydd Rhys, Chief Executive of Arts Council of Wales.
“We know that although the arts sector has shown incredible resilience in the face of a 40% cut in real terms over the last decade, there have been real-life knock-on effects on business plans and the ability to offer job security in the sector.
“As our recent Economic Impact report shows, this not only affects opportunities within the arts but also the wider Welsh economy. For every £1 spent on the arts, £2.51 comes back into the economy, as well as the significant contribution the arts make to the nation’s health and wellbeing. The Welsh Government has recognised this and is increasing the fund. This is a great confidence boost that shows the arts sector’s contribution is valued and we thank the Minister for his prompt and agile response to this crisis.”
Organisations from across the nation will benefit, including Blackwood Miners’ Institute, The Riverfront Theatre and Arts Centre, Newport, Torch Theatre, Milford Haven, Welsh National Opera, National Dance Company Wales, NoFit State Circus, Aberystwyth Arts Centre, Mid Wales Opera, the Wyeside Arts Centre, Builth Wells, Cimera circus, Caernarfon, Wrexham Sounds and Llangollen International Eisteddfod.
Jack Sargeant MS, Minister for Culture, Skills and Social Partnership said: “The arts sector makes a vital social, cultural and economic contribution to our society, enriching our communities and inspiring future generations.
“I’m therefore very pleased that, despite financial pressures, we’ve been able to support some of our most cherished and talented arts organisations with this extra, immediate funding, to improve resilience amid ongoing challenges.
“We will soon announce further future support for the sector in our forthcoming budget.”