Dafydd was until recently Director of Aberystwyth Arts Centre. He started his career at HTV Cymru in the 1980s working on children’s and light entertainment output and between 1991 and 1998 was Commissioning Editor and then Broadcast Director at S4C. In 2000 Dafydd set up his own independent production company, Pop 1, as part of the Tinopolis group. He was Content Director at S4C for five years from March 2012. He is also Chair of AM Cymru – the website, app and music streaming service established by PYST, for the arts in Wales - and has been a Trustee of the Arts Council of Wales since 2017.
Commenting today, Dafydd said:
“I look forward very much to building on the firm foundations established by my predecessors, as we continue our mission to ensure that the arts in Wales are for the benefit of all.
“While we face many pressing issues in the arts in Wales, including improving equality and diversity, I am convinced of the positive impact the arts can have on all aspects of our national life. I believe passionately in the value of the arts and their ability to make a difference to the life and well-being of our nation and want to make sure that they are available and affordable to communities in every part of Wales.
“The cost-of-living crisis is a particular challenge to the arts sector at present. A survey we undertook recently demonstrated the impact on individual artists and arts organisations.
“The 67 companies who receive money from us as part of Arts Portfolio Wales still employ less staff than they did before the COVID pandemic and some companies have told us that audiences levels are 20%-40% lower than pre-pandemic.
“56% of all organisations are extremely worried about the impact of energy cost increases on them and the costs of putting on productions are 20-40% more than a year ago. Those venues who have bars and cafes, that often fund so much else in theatres and venues, are being hit by increasing food and drink costs. The Arts Council has already submitted evidence on this matter to the Senedd’s Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport and International Relations committee and full details of the survey will be published later this month. The Arts Council will continue to be a voice for the sector and will seek every opportunity to make the case for the value of the arts in Wales for the benefit of all.”
“I’m most grateful to Michael Elliott for the work he’s been doing as interim Chief Executive since March.”
END Monday 17 October 2022