Arts Council Wales' Response to the Draft Budget 2011/2012

18th November 2010

This is Arts Council Wales' Press Release covering their response to the Welsh Assembly Governments Draft Budget.

The Arts Council’s budget for arts programmes will be reduced by 4% and their running costs by 12% over the three year period starting in 2011/12.

Yesterday (17 November, 2010), the Welsh Assembly Government published its Draft Budget for 2011 - 12 .

Dai Smith, Chair of Arts Council of Wales said, "The arts in Wales like all other public sector bodies have been bracing themselves for inevitable budgetary pain following on from the decisions the Welsh Assembly Government has been constrained to make. Earlier today, the Welsh Assembly Government announced that the Arts Council’s budget for arts programmes would reduce by 4% over the three year period starting in 2011/12. In spite of the reduction, this is great news for the arts in Wales.

As part of the funding settlement, the Welsh Assembly Government has challenged us to reduce our running costs over the three year period by 12%. In times of economic difficulty, it is entirely proper that the Arts Council of Wales is subject to the same financial disciplines as those whom we support. We will respond positively to the need to ensure that as much public money as possible finds its way through to front line arts activity.

In this straitened time we are delighted that a distinctive policy towards the arts has been understood and followed by the Welsh Assembly Government and that, subsequently, Arts Council of Wales will be able to implement the outcomes of our Investment Review strategy. We will make every pound entrusted in us work all the harder for the people of Wales, across Wales in all our communities, to the benefit of the nation."

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