Task and Finish Group on Participation in the Arts in Wales

Inquiry into Participation in the Arts in Wales

Response from Flintshire County Council

1. What organisation do you represent?

Flintshire County Council

2. Which groups of people participate in your organisation’s arts activities?

Artists Schools Community Groups Art Groups Individuals Residential Homes Hospitals College Students

3. Do you think that budget changes have affected participation in the arts, either positively or negatively?

Not as yet but if there is a reduction in staff working in the arts as a result of budget cuts then this will have a direct affect on front line provision.

4. Do you think that certain groups of people have been affected more than others?

No - the affect will be across the board because it will be capacity that is directly impacted

5. Are there gaps in provision for people to participate in arts activities, either demographically or geographically?

Not at present

6. Are there enough funding sources available other than the Arts Council for Wales? Are alternative funding sources accessible?

No, as a Local Authority we are ineligible to apply for many funding sources. We utilise RDP funding and regeneration funding to develop art projects where the Arts Council is unable to fund.

7. What role does the voluntary arts sector play in promoting participation in the arts in Wales and how can this be supported?

The Voluntary Arts Sector is useful in providing training and support for art projects as well helping with marketing in certain cases. It is however important that the creative economy is supported by employing professional artists to deliver projects, this ensures that quality of provision is not compromised and that participants can gain skills and knowledge from experts in the field.

8. Is the strategic relationship between the Welsh Government and the bodies that distribute arts funding effective in increasing participation?

The Arts Council of Wales support a great variety of participatory arts projects, as to weather this is due to the strategic relationship with the Welsh Government I'm unsure. I would imagine that any increase in participation is due to the creativity of those who develop projects which are funded by the Arts Council and other bodies and not due to any strategic lead from the Welsh Government. On the other hand if participation in the arts was not one of the aims of the funders then of course this would affect participation figures.

9. All public bodies in Wales will have published a strategic equality plan by April 2012. Do you think that these new public sector equality duties will help to increase participation in the arts among under-represented groups in Wales?

Of course it is important that all of Wales' residents have equal access to the arts. This has always been a priority when developing arts projects and the equality plan can only support the importance of creating experiences that are accessible to all.