This is to make sure that the organisation has more time to respond to changes that have been suggested during a series of workshops with the arts sector, and so that the process can be synchronised with the appointment of a new Chief Executive.
The Arts Council of Wales’s Investment Review usually takes place every five years and is the process used to select a group of companies that makeup ‘Arts Portfolio Wales’. Portfolio members receive annual funding for their activities directly from the Arts Council.
The current Arts Portfolio Wales is a national network of 67 organisations that share around £28.5 million of Arts Council funding. It includes internationally significant organisations, arts venues throughout Wales and community arts.
The Arts Council of Wales has agreed that it needs more time to respond to the clear messages that came through from recent workshops, and a public survey, that organisations want to see real changes in funding structures.
Phil George, Chairman of Arts Council of Wales said:
“During an important meeting of our Council, with Welsh Government in attendance, we were unanimous in our view that the right thing to do for the arts sector in Wales is to extend the timetable for our Investment Review. This will give us the chance to demonstrate that we have heard and are acting upon the changes that the sector tells us they want to see in relation to our funding structures. This will also give us time to make sure that we have a full complement for our senior leadership team, including a new Chief Executive in post to lead the Review.
It’s important that we continue to speak to the sector and, in the meantime, we will look to establish a package of support for those organisations who have been planning an application to join our portfolio. Further details will be shared early in 2022. A series of workshops will also be offered to give organisations the opportunity to have important conversations in relation to the Investment Review structure and process.