Communities and Culture Committee: inquiry into the ‘accessibility of arts and cultural activities in Wales’

Evidence from Alun Ffred Jones, AM, Minister for HeritageNovember 2010

1. Purpose

The Communities and Culture Committee is examining the ‘Accessibility of arts and cultural activities in Wales.’

The Committee has indicated that it is specifically looking at whether Welsh Assembly Government investment has been effective in achieving the stated objective of widening accessibility to cultural experiences, taking into account the exigencies of the current economic climate. In its call for evidence, the Committee expressed an interest in accessibility to museums and galleries, libraries and archives and, very specifically, to the arts. I will therefore provide some information relating to all these areas, as well as addressing the issue of access to heritage, via the work of Cadw.

The purpose of this evidence is therefore to outline the steps that have been taken by the Welsh Assembly Government, and the progress that has been made in widening access to the arts and cultural activities, in recent years. I hope that this will serve as a useful basis for discussions when I give evidence to the Committee in November.

In the notes below, I define for the Committee my role as Minister for Heritage, in setting the strategic direction for cultural, heritage and artistic activity by my own officials and by the various arms’-length bodies with whom I work to achieve the Welsh Assembly Government’s agenda in these areas. As the Committee has expressed an interest in the contribution of local authorities to cultural accessibility, I also include a note to update the Committee on the proposal to impose a statutory cultural duty on local authorities.

2. Background

One of the Welsh Government’s key commitments, outlined in One Wales, was that ‘high-quality cultural experiences are available to all people, irrespective of where they live or their background.

The Welsh Assembly Government is committed to this objective and it remains central in the development and implementation of Government policy. It is a core principle of the Arts Council of Wales –the lead agency for delivering this objective in respect of the arts. ACW’s Royal Charter lists its aims as “to develop and improve the

CC(3) AC 43a

knowledge, understanding and practice of the arts” and “to increase the accessibility of the arts to the public”. Similarly, the National Library of Wales (NLW), Amgueddfa Cymru-National Museum Wales and Cadw all exist, not only to maintain the cultural heritage of Wales, but to ensure this cultural heritage is available and accessible to the people of Wales, now and in the future.

My role as Heritage Minister is to discharge the Welsh Assembly Government’s powers in the area of my responsibilities: under section 61(e), (i) and (j) of the Government of Wales Act 2006, the Welsh Minister for Heritage may do anything he considers appropriate to support arts and crafts, cultural activities and projects and recreational activities relating to Wales. One of my key responsibilities is to make the case for the arts and culture to my Cabinet colleagues, in order to ensure the best possible settlements are made to these areas. In order to be an effective advocate for culture, I devote time throughout the year to visiting museums, archives, heritage sites and attending artistic productions, as well as meeting representatives of these sectors, in order to understand their case. I am also able to make the case for the arts and culture of Wales when I meet senior representatives of other governments, and bodies such as the British Council.

Culture and cultural activities are not restricted to the arts, museums, galleries and libraries. Cadw has a major role to play in promoting access to Wales’ rich and diverse culture and heritage. Sport is also important and is enjoyed by a large proportion of the population. The Major Events Unit within the Welsh Assembly Government plays an important role in bringing large-scale cultural events to the people of Wales as well as promoting what Wales has to offer to those outside the Country. In the interests of keeping my evidence to a manageable length, and to try and address the key areas of interest to the Committee, as set out in its call for evidence of July 2010, the focus of the evidence below will be on the work of the Arts Council, Cadw, and national and local museums, libraries and archives. Because both ACW and Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales have submitted their own evidence to the Committee, I will aim not to repeat information with which the Committee has already been provided. I will not deal with sport, nor will I go into detail on the activities of our Major Events Unit, though I am including a short note on the latter.

I would also note in brief the importance to accessibility of ensuring that our heritage and arts landmarks generate income. The Cultural Tourism Steering Group chaired by Visit Wales brings together the different parts of my Portfolio to implement Wales Cultural Tourism Action Plan. The goal of this Plan is to ensure that our culture brings additional economic benefits, by increasing the number of tourists who visit our cultural assets. The focus of the action plan is to improve visitor accessibility to Welsh culture, improve the quality of

CC(3) AC 43a

the visitor experience, raising the profile of Wales as a cultural tourism destination and understanding the characteristics and needs of the cultural tourist. The addition of visitor income helps sustain the financial viability of many cultural facilities and attractions which could not be sustained by the local resident population alone, as well as bringing wider benefits to the local economy

Cadw

Cadw is the Welsh Assembly Government’s historic environment service. It has two primary objectives:

1. To conserve, protect and sustain the historic environment of Wales.

2. To promote access to and community engagement with the historic environment.

Cadw’s remit is not solely focused upon the 127 sites in its care, as it also has a role in (and gives grants for) improving access to heritage sites and heritage stories across the whole of Wales. However, a considerable amount of access development work is focused upon the sites in State care.

In September 2009, I launched my Ambition Statement for the Welsh historic environment:(http://www.cadw.wales.gov.uk/default.asp?id=128&navId=15&parentId=15). The statement proposed a number of action points intended to foster greater physical and intellectual access to heritage:

• Action to ensure that the historic environment contributes to the Welsh tourism offer.

• Making heritage sites enjoyable, relevant and stimulating to visit.

• Understanding and tackling barriers to access, whether they are physical, attitudinal, logistical or financial.

• Improving public access to information and online service provision.

• Promotion of community engagement and participation in heritage.

CC(3) AC 43a

Key areas of activity

In supporting achievement of the Minister’s ambitions for the historic environment sector, Cadw has been focused upon the following primary areas of activity:

Development of a pan-Wales Heritage Interpretation Plan and Heritage Tourism Project

Presenting key themes of Welsh heritage at national, regional and local levels for the benefit of local community identity and pride, lifelong learning and tourism. Cadw is already implementing the new, lively and engaging type of interpretation, including the Time Detective family activity at Conwy; Bluetooth mobile phone interpretation at Raglan; films, hands on activities and new visual effects at the Caerleon Roman Baths and dressed and furnished rooms at Tretower Court and Chepstow Castle.

To help implement this interpretation programme Cadw secured £19m of EU Convergence Funding for the Heritage Tourism Project. The Heritage Tourism Project will see investment in several major heritage sites directly operated by Cadw but crucially also will support local authority, community and private sector initiatives across the country. Cadw will be working with communities, partners and the tourism sector to develop heritage tours, trails and events packages to provide authentic compelling experiences for visitors to Wales.

The success of the project depends upon an integrated presentation of heritage sites and the development of meaningful and memorable storylines, making connections between sites, places, people and communities.

To progress the Heritage Tourism Project, Cadw commissioned five initial interpretation plans that will contribute towards the national story strand including: ‘Castles and Princes of Medieval Wales, including the native princes, the Norman and Edwardian conquest, the fight for Welsh independence’. Further plans on prehistory, Roman invasion and occupation, industrial heritage and the spiritual and inspirational landscapes of Wales have just been commissioned.

Tackling physical barriers to access

By definition, many heritage sites, especially castles, can present access challenges. Cadw has for more than five years been engaged upon a programme of site access audits and subsequent works to improve access to sites, especially for visitors with disabilities. Recent developments include:

CC(3) AC 43a

Ramped access into Caernarfon Castle so that all visitors can get into the Castle for the very first time.

Access ramps and an all-weather lift so that wheelchair users can fully access St David’s Bishops Palace. The conservation and access works at St David’s won a Europa Nostra award in 2010.

Tactile and touch screen presentations at sites such as Plas Mawr and Castell Coch – where it is impossible for visitors with mobility difficulties to access the whole site. This technology delivers virtualaccess at least.

The £3m Welsh Cultural Heritage Initiative for the conservation of medieval heritage sites closely associated with Welsh nationhood is helping to ensure that the human stories associated with these sites are made accessible and relevant to those who live in and visit Wales. Most of those sites are in private or community ownership so Cadw grant aid and project management support is pivotal to delivering access to them.

Delivering relevant and stimulating heritage experiences through events and the arts

Research undertaken by Cadw in 2008 and 2009 with sections of the community which are under-represented in its visitor profile confirmed the view that events and the possibility of getting involved appeal to the widest spectrum of visitors.

The arts have a vital role to play as a delivery mechanism for interpretation, providing more diverse opportunities for telling the stories of heritage sites and appealing to new audiences. A Heritage and the Arts Summit was held at Caerphilly Castle on 6 October 2010 to identify way in which the two sectors can work together.

Cauldrons and Furnaces, Cadw’s Cultural Olympiad programme with the Arts Council for Wales, involving young people and the wider community in a programme of activities at eight Cadw sites, is boosting awareness of the historic environment and increasing the appeal of the area to tourists, as well as building the creative skills of the young people involved and encouraging them to see heritage sites as vibrant and inspiring places. The programme began in 2009 with a spectacular performance of the Mabinogion at Harlech Castle, involving 400 children from across Meirionydd.

Cadw has a varied programme of events at its monuments, to encourage tourist and community visits. These range from the popular classic plays of Shakespeare and others to concerts forming a part of local music festivals and on to large scale heritage re-enactments. A highlight in 2010 was the Rhuddlan Castle Rocks

CC(3) AC 43a

concert by Mike Peters which saw 1,500 people inside the Castle and over £20,000 raised for charity.

A new development in 2010 was Cadw’s first son et lumière for the 21st century. This spectacular digital sound and light projection on to the walls of Caerphilly Castle was a pilot project, intended to test the appetite for and logistics of high quality evening events at Cadw monuments. By opening monuments for such events it s hoped that an evening cultural economy can be fostered in heritage towns across Wales.

Museums

Museums and galleries attract more visitors than any other category of attraction. The ‘Visits to Tourist Attractions 2009’, report for Visit Wales showed visits to Museums and Galleries at 4,137,014 (table 3.4).

Welsh Assembly Government support for museums is in two main strands: grant aid, advice and strategic development for local museums through CyMAL: Museums Archives and Libraries Wales, and Grant-in-Aid provided to Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales (AC-NMW) as an Assembly Government Sponsored Body.

Local Museums

There are approximately 160 organisations in Wales that hold collections and display them to the public and could therefore be called museums. At May 2010, 87 had met the UK Standard for museums, Accreditation. Grant support from CyMAL is focussed on those museums who have achieved, or are working to achieve, this benchmark standard, which includes several commitments on accessible services.

In 2009-10 a total grant investment of £403,817 was provided to local museums, enabling projects to proceed with a total value of £763,122. From 2010, grants to museums are also focussed on delivering the Museums Strategy, launched in June 2010. Wales is the first nation of the UK to develop and publish a National Strategy for museums.

Museums undertake significant outreach work in the community which increases access to their collections. This varies from sophisticated community involvement schemes such as Newport’s Community Memories project to volunteers organising community events e.g. Abertillery Museum’s recent WW2 street party.

In 2006, 66% of local authority and 34% of independent museums provided free entry.

CC(3) AC 43a

Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales (AC-NMW)

AC-NMW receives annual grant-in-aid funding from the Welsh Assembly Government, made up of core revenue and capital funding. The Museum may also receive additional funding as contributions to major capital projects the Museum is engaged in. In 2010-11 the Museum is receiving £23.36 million in net revenue funding and £3 million in capital funding (including £1 million as a contribution towards the St Fagans redevelopment).

The Museum delivers a huge range of services focussed on the education of the public, from exhibitions to a comprehensive formal and informal education programme that reaches over 400,000 students of all ages each year. The Museum is the largest provider of education visits outside of the classroom in Wales.

The Museum offers free admission to all visitors, a key One Wales commitment that has seen a doubling of visitor figures to 1.6 million a year since 2001 when it was introduced. Free admission has enabled people and families from all income groups to see the many treasures held by AC-NMW and to make repeat visits. The Museum’s collections and exhibitions covering art, science, social and industrial history and the heritage of Wales have now been freely available to the public for their education and enjoyment for nine years. Over 12 million people have visited their national museum under the free entry regime, including two million formal learners and 1.75 million informal learners.

Amgueddfa Cymru has a network of seven museums across Wales. To ensure that all in Wales have access to the national collections, it also works with a range of other key organisations. It operates emerginglong-term partnerships with the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority in St Davids, the National Library in Aberystwyth and with Wrexham Museum to make the National collections more accessible to those areas. It has also worked with a large number of regional museums and galleries, in all corners of Wales, through the Sharing Treasures scheme. This enables local organisations to borrow treasures from the national collections for display locally, and builds long-standing relationships with the National Museum.

There are many more formal and informal partnerships between local museums and AC-NMW. Between 2002 and 2006, 56% of all local museums used services provided by AC-NMW; in 2006 32% of local museums in Wales had loans from the national collections. These were distributed evenly across almost every local authority area.

CC(3) AC 43a

Archives

Archive services in Wales are delivered through a combination of local authority and university funded services, and national institutions; there are 22 formally recognised archive service points across Wales:

North Wales: 8South West Wales: 10South East Wales: 4

All local authorities provide an archive service either singly or jointly, as do five universities in Wales; in addition archive services are provided by two national bodies: the National Library of Wales and the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales.

The 13 local authority archive services (including the three joint services) and five universities in Wales are eligible to apply for Welsh Assembly Government funding through the CyMAL: Museums Archives and Libraries Wales grant scheme; together with professional bodies such as Archives and Records Council Wales, and the Archives and Records Association Wales In 2009-10, total grant investment of £186,905from the Welsh Assembly Government, enabled local projects with a total value of at least £237,002.

Access to archive services is free and most archives undertake some form of outreach work with the geographical communities they serve. This varies according to the capacity of the individual service, but all services will typically provide talks to external organisations, and host educational and other visits to the service itself. Most services are also able to provide volunteering opportunities to younger and older people. Larger services will run more sophisticated outreach work and projects, for example Gwynedd Archives has a dedicated Education Officer, and Glamorgan Archives works closely with its local communities on Community Archive and other projects. The 2009 PSQG survey of users of archive services in Wales revealed that over 97% of users rated the overall service received as very good or good.

Libraries

Public libraries featured in the Living in Wales survey in 2007, which found that 33% of citizens had contacted or used their library service in Wales in the previous 12 months, with a satisfaction rate of over 95%. The Welsh Assembly Government has invested a record £10.5 million in the Libraries for Life programme between 2008 and 2011. To date 68 libraries across Wales have received grants to modernise their facilities and an important part of the scheme is to improve accessibility.

CC(3) AC 43a

Evaluation is a key component of the Libraries for Life programme and Scotinform were commissioned to undertake the evaluation. An interim evaluation report found that about 75% of library staff surveyed felt that Libraries for Life had improved access to libraries for the general public. The initial quantitative survey of library users found that they perceived the main benefits of libraries to be: being easy to join, accessibility, friendly staff and easy to borrow access. The non-user survey found that two thirds of non-users would be interested in using libraries, and that things that might encourage them to use libraries included improved local access to libraries (closer to where they live, increased access to mobile libraries), increased opening hours and wider range of resources. The interim findings in general show that there are not major discrepancies in attitudes between respondents in terms of age, sex, race, language, employed, disabled or geographic location.

In 2008/09 there were 13.96 million visits (CIPFA, Public Library Statistics 2008-09) to Welsh public libraries, an increase of 3.7% on the previous year. This compares with a year-on-year decrease in England of 1.4%, a decrease of 4.1% in Northern Ireland and an increase of only 0.4% in Scotland.

The National Library of Wales

The Welsh Assembly Government is providing £12.086 million Grant in Aid in funding to The National Library of Wales in 2010-11 to preserve and promote Wales’ cultural heritage. In addition to providing modern and accessible facilities for 80,000 people who visit the Library in Aberystwyth, the Library is also improving access to its collections through its digitisation programme.

The National Library provides free remote access via the Internet to a wide range of digital resources and it has led to a dramatic increase in remote users from 280,644 in 2004-05 to over 1 million in 2009-10. The Library has received £2 million (£1 million in 2009-10 and £1 million in 2010-11) from the Welsh Assembly Government's Strategic Capital Investment Fund to digitise around 2 million pages of Welsh newspapers and periodicals, and make these digital resources available online.

The National Library is a key partner, along with Amgueddfa Cymru –National Museum Wales and the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales in developing the People’s Collection Wales website launched at the National Eisteddfod held in Ebbw Vale. The People’s Collection Wales aims to deliver a contemporary, interactive and bilingual online experience dedicated to the history of Wales and its people and features items from national and local collections of museums, archives and libraries.

CC(3) AC 43a

People who do not have online access from home or work to this rich collection of resources can take advantage of the free Internet access in their local public library.

Arts

The bulk of Welsh Assembly Government funding of the arts in Wales is channelled through the Arts Council of Wales, who work within the strategic Framework set by Government.

In order to achieve its aims of widening access and participation in high quality arts experiences, the Arts Council receives grant in aid funding from the Welsh Government. In 2010-11 this funding is £31.6million. It is a mark of recognition of the importance that is attached to the arts that ACW’s grant-in-aid budget has increased significantly and consistently, from £14.6m. Since the inception of the National Assembly for Wales in 1999, This equates to almost £300 million in funding for the arts, via ACW, since devolution.

The Welsh Assembly Government has a long-standing commitment to arms’-length management of the arts, which was the subject of a lively and passionate debate in the plenary chamber in 2006. Because we maintain an arms’-length relationship with the arts, the Arts Council of Wales have an important role to play in discharging the Government’s agenda for the arts. Each year, I write to the Chair of ACW setting out, in broad terms, the areas on which I wish ACW to focus its activities; ACW, in response, invites me to approve a Corporate Plan. I meet the Chair and Chief Executive of ACW twice a year for a formal stock-take; this year, I asked for an additional formal meeting to be briefed on ACW’s investment review. Both the Chair and Chief Executive are members of my Arts Strategy Board, which meets twice yearly to discuss policy matters. I also meet the Chair and Chief Executive on a fairly regular basis in the course of business. A similar monitoring process takes place with other AGSBs within my charge.

It is important to recognise the role that Lottery funding has played in helping develop the infrastructure of arts venues over recent years. ACW Lottery funding has been significant in redeveloping existing venues and establishing new ones.

Direct Welsh Assembly Government funding, and a combination of the two have been provided for The Wales Millennium Centre, Sherman Cymru and Llangollen Pavilion. Our development of these centres has been informed by a comprehensive appreciation of the revenue funding that is required to ensure that these venues remain financially viable while delivering high-quality artistic product to the public.

CC(3) AC 43a

Arts Council of Wales Investment Review

The Investment Review arose from a growing concern among members of the arts community over the way in which the arts were supported. The central area of concern was that the historic pattern of funding some 97 revenue funded organisations was not maximising the public benefits associated with our support for the arts. Although the organisations funded cover a wide range of art forms funding was not being targeted so as to promote the vibrancy and the sustainability of those arts forms.

In light of this, in 2008-09 the previous Heritage Minister agreed that ACW should review its current funding arrangements and look at alternative funding models for supporting the arts in Wales. In my 2009-10 Remit Letter to the Arts Council of Wales I instructed the Council to pursue that work, with the aim of developing a funding strategy “that places the funding of the Arts Council’s revenue funded organisations on a more sustainable basis.” This required ACW to take a fresh look at its portfolio, and make a robust assessment of the effectiveness of its investments.

In this year’s remit ACW was instructed to complete work on thereview, to make recommendations about handling the withdrawal of funding from some organisations, and prepare guidance on the Council’s expectations for those organisations that will be revenue-funded in future. The review’s conclusions will be implemented from the 2011-12 financial year. While respecting the arms’-length principle on which funding for the arts in Wales is based, I have been briefed on the Review’s progress by the Chair and Chief Executive of ACW during our scheduled biannual, and other, meetings and given a broad indication of the changes they want to bring about.

The central outcome of the review is that ACW have decided that funding the existing number of revenue funded organisations is unsustainable and that investment should be focused on those that are most artistically vibrant and financially durable. As a consequence an inevitable outcome of this review is that there will be a reduction in the number of organisations ACW support in future. ACW’s announcement on 29 June also took into account the current uncertainty around their future budget. ACW intends to delay any announcement of actual allocations until later in the year.

The investment review process has been carried out in an open and transparent manner, which I commended in my written statement to the National Assembly for Wales of 29 June. ACW consulted stakeholders fully about the review and the way it would be conducted. They have made key decisions, and the reasons behind them, public, subject to any commercial confidentiality considerations. The four appeals lodged were considered by an independent adjudicator and

CC(3) AC 43a

where appropriate, an independent appeals panel. My officials have closely monitored the Investment Review and I have personally been briefed by ACW at key stages.

From an initial Revenue funded client portfolio of 97 organisations, 71 will be funded from 2011-12. 31 organisations have lost their funding while 5 organisations will join the portfolio. A complete list of these organisations is at Annex B.

The impact of the Arts Council for Wales’s Investment Review, published in June 2010, on all cultural activities and venues in Wales

ACW have already stressed that a great care was taken during their deliberations to ensure that there was, as far as possible, a balance of revenue clients representing each artform and geographical location.

ACW, partly through Lottery support as noted above, and the Welsh Assembly government, have made considerable investments in recent years to maintain, develop and refurbish arts venues the length and breadth of the country. These include Oriel Kyffin Williams in Anglesey; Ruthin Craft Centre; Galeri, Caernarfon; Aberystwyth Arts Centre;Theatr Mwldan; Torch Theatre, Milford Haven; Theatr Brycheiniog,Brecon; Wales Millennium Centre; and Newport Riverfront. Last year, we provided £1 million to Denbighshire County Council to refurbish Llangollen Pavilion.

Considerable capital investment, from the Strategic Capital Investment Fund (SCIF), is being made in Bangor’s Pontio Project, which when completed will make a significant impact upon theatre provision in North Wales. Other projects receiving support from ACW and the Welsh Government include Glynn Vivian Gallery, Swansea and the Sherman Theatre, Cardiff. Talks are taking place with local stakeholders to enhance provision in the South Wales Valleys through the development of new arts centres.

Theatres, arts venues and performing organisations are not being forgotten or abandoned by the Review. In fact, these organisations form the majority of ACW’s new portfolio. There are a large number of national organisations that work across Wales and thereby provide accessible arts provision at local and national level.

There remains a broad mix of local and national arts organisations providing access to the arts for people across Wales. It is important to recognise that while there are a significant number of national arts organisations based around the most densely populated areas of Cardiff and South Wales, many of these organisations undertake work in both urban centres and rural areas, maximising accessibility.

CC(3) AC 43a

Arts provision and arts organisations, like many other aspects of society, are to an extent restricted by economic factors. For this reason, the role of the local/regional arts centre remains vital, a fact recognised by ACW in its continued support for these venues.

Major Events

Successful major events engage communities and help to widen access and encourage sustainable participation in the arts and cultural activities. They also showcase Wales’ unique cultural identity and heritage, are a catalyst for cultural innovation and expression and provide valuable opportunities for our leading artists and athletes to display their talents on the world stage.

On 29 September, the Deputy First Minister and I launched Wales’ first Major Events Strategy which sets out how we will build on opportunities arising from major international events such as the Ryder Cup and the Ashes Test. It sets out how the Assembly Government will lead a more co-ordinated and coherent approach to future support for major events.

The overarching aim of the strategy is to develop a balanced and sustainable portfolio of major events which will raise international recognition and reputation of Wales and strongly reflect our culture, traditions and values

The key role played by local authorities in providing access to arts and cultural activities.

“One Wales” committed the Welsh Assembly Government to “place a statutory obligation on local authorities to promote culture and encourage partnership to deliver high quality cultural experiences for their communities”. A Legislative Commencement Order (LCO) was approved by the National Assembly for Wales in February 2010, by Parliament in March, and by the Privy Council in April. Before moving to introduce a Measure in this area I have been anxious to consider the impact on local authority performance of the new outcome monitoring regime introduced by the Minister for Social Justice and Local Government.

Museums – local authority provision

All local authorities support at least one Accredited museum except Bridgend, Neath Port Talbot, and Vale of Glamorgan. The latter is currently undertaking a feasibility study into a museum for Barry.

CC(3) AC 43a

Archives – local authority provision

All local authorities provide an archive service either singly or as part of a joint arrangement with neighbouring authorities.

Libraries – local authority provision

Local authorities have a statutory responsibility under the 1964 Public Libraries and Museums Act to provide a ‘comprehensive and efficient’ library service. This service is monitored and evaluated through the Welsh Assembly Government’s Welsh Public Libraries Standards framework. There are over 320 public library service points open 10 hours or more a week in Wales, including mobile library services.

Arts – local authority provision

Local Authorities play a major role in providing accessible arts provision, although there is a huge variation in the commitment and impact amongst local authorities.

Conclusions

The Welsh Government is committed to maintaining and indeed, increasing accessibility to the arts and cultural activities in Wales. I hope that this has been evident in my description above of the initiatives and policies that relate directly to this aim.

Cultural provision faces particular challenges in Wales, such as geography, language, disparities of population etc. As has been seen with the ACW investment review, decisions can be very tough, and both the ACW and I are regularly challenged by arts stakeholders and by the wider public, about decisions taken. That there is great passion and depth of feeling among the people of Wales about their access to arts is unquestionable.

In these times of budgetary restrictions, efficiency savings and financial austerity, a new, more efficient and targeted way of funding the arts was, in my view, the only practical way forward. A more focussed approach need not restrict access to the arts but I recognise that it will require arts providers to be even more clear about their target audiences and on how these can best be delivered.

As the financial pressures we face increase it will be important to retain our focus on the importance of widening access. I would also expect government to have to take an ever more rigorous approach to determining our priorities as we allocate public funds to support work in this area moving forward.

CC(3) AC 43a

I will continue to work closely with ACW, National Library of Wales and Amgueddfa Cymru-National Museum Wales and with my officials in Cadw and CyMAL to identify, address and eradicate areas of concern in order to make arts, heritage and cultural activities available to all.

Alun Ffred Jones AMMinister for Heritage October 2010

CC(3) AC 43a