, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Impact of funding reductions for culture and sport: Evidence session with Welsh National Opera (3)
Diolch yn fawr iawn. If I may, just looking in terms of the long term, I know your challenge is short term, and solutions, but, obviously, this dual funding stream, the fact that you're reliant on two different Governments and two different Governments'…
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Impact of funding reductions for culture and sport: Evidence session with Welsh National Opera (3)
Yes, as long as we return—
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Impact of funding reductions for culture and sport: Evidence session with Welsh National Opera (3)
My questions—
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Impact of funding reductions for culture and sport: Evidence session with Welsh National Opera (3)
Thank you.
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Impact of funding reductions for culture and sport: Evidence session with Welsh National Opera (3)
So, it wouldn't be an overstatement, then, in terms of what you've just said, that the risk, then, in terms of the international reputation, the quality, may be compromised, in terms of talent development, then, attracting people to be part of the WNO—all of…
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Impact of funding reductions for culture and sport: Evidence session with Welsh National Opera (3)
And in terms of the—[Interruption.] Oh, apologies. Yes, please come in.
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Impact of funding reductions for culture and sport: Evidence session with Welsh National Opera (3)
—say that she was going to have urgent discussions with the UK Government. It's been unfortunate in the fact that we've had so many changes here, and also, of course, there have been changes there. You mentioned optimism—that things might get better—but…
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Impact of funding reductions for culture and sport: Evidence session with Welsh National Opera (3)
Diolch yn fawr iawn. There have been some criticisms of the conditions associated with that £3.25 million from others, which have been shared with us as a committee, just outlining concern around how that does help the long-term aspirations of the WNO…
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Impact of funding reductions for culture and sport: Evidence session with Arts Council of Wales (2)
Will you continue to be a partner for that? Do you see a role for the arts council in that?
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Impact of funding reductions for culture and sport: Evidence session with Arts Council of Wales (2)
Clearly, there was an announcement in terms of not having a contemporary art gallery as an anchor institution or building. There is ambiguity at the moment in terms of the continuation of the project when it comes to funding. The funding comes to an end…
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Impact of funding reductions for culture and sport: Evidence session with Arts Council of Wales (2)
If I may come in on that: not to mention individuals here, but do you believe that we need to be upgrading the role of culture in the Government? Because it changes from a Minister to a Cabinet Secretary, and so on. Does it concern you to see it changing? Is…
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Impact of funding reductions for culture and sport: Evidence session with Arts Council of Wales (2)
Thank you.
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Impact of funding reductions for culture and sport: Evidence session with Arts Council of Wales (2)
Thank you. I wanted to understand in terms of the remit that you've received from Welsh Government. Obviously, that's very broad and it hasn't reduced, even though your funding has reduced. So, how much dialogue is there with the Welsh Government in terms of…
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Impact of funding reductions for culture and sport: Evidence session with Arts Council of Wales (2)
Shall I—?
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Impact of funding reductions for culture and sport: Evidence session with Arts Council of Wales (2)
Thank you.
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Impact of funding reductions for culture and sport: Evidence session with Arts Council of Wales (2)
Clearly, back in May of this year, you were very open on Beti a'i Phobl. For example, you asked for a national conversation. You emphasised the seriousness of the situation that we're facing. Has anyone listened to that plea? Are you seeing that the…
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Impact of funding reductions for culture and sport: Evidence session with Arts Council of Wales (2)
Are you concerned, in terms of participation, that there’s a risk that that might become less inclusive? Because Wales has been a model for a number of other countries over recent years in terms of participation and reaching out to communities. Are you…
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Impact of funding reductions for culture and sport: Evidence session with Arts Council of Wales (2)
Thank you. If I could take us just a step back to some of the things that you’ve already spoken about. You mentioned earlier the reductions that have happened to programmes in terms of the health aspect, and where funding could come from. This is a discussion…
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Impact of funding reductions for culture and sport: Evidence session with Arts Council of Wales (2)
Thank you.
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Impact of funding reductions for culture and sport: Evidence session with Arts Council of Wales (2)
In terms of staff morale, how do you measure that? Do you conduct an annual staff survey?
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Impact of funding reductions for culture and sport: Evidence session with Arts Council of Wales (2)
If I may, you say that you are coping, but is that sustainable?
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Impact of funding reductions for culture and sport: Evidence session with Arts Council of Wales (2)
So, it's a significant decrease.
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Impact of funding reductions for culture and sport: Evidence session with Arts Council of Wales (2)
Thank you. Maybe it would be beneficial to differentiate from the funding of you as a council and also the money that you allocate. If we look specifically at you as the arts council now, you mentioned your role in terms of developing the arts in Wales. Ten…
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Impact of funding reductions for culture and sport: Evidence session with Arts Council of Wales (2)
Yes. [Laughter.]
, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Impact of funding reductions for culture and sport: Evidence session with Arts Council of Wales (2)
Thank you. We want to get into the situation in terms of the funding. Obviously, you had that announcement over the summer in terms of a little bit of additional funding, and I've seen that you are advertising now in terms of how that will go ahead. Perhaps…
