Task and Finish Group on Participation in the Arts in Wales

Inquiry into Participation in the Arts in Wales

Anonymous response

1. What organisation do you represent?

No Response

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

All ages and backgrounds participate in brass banding across the diverse communities of Wales.

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

Yes, the recent funding cut to Ty Cerdd is a point in case, but the significant downturn in Lottery funding over the last years has also been significant.

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

New instruments for children and learners are expensive and many buildings used for rehearsal and training are no longer fit for purpose. This has the greatest impact on the young starting out and on those unable to access facilities built in come cases at the start of the last century.

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

There is a significant gap in being able to join up provision in school with provision in the community. School based activity is often based on individual achievement, brass banding is an ensemble activity and offers young people the chance to be part of an artistic community, fostering team work and collective expression.

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

There are not. Increasingly even Arts Council funding, which was predominately from its Lottery revenue has become scarce.

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

Funding and support to develop the capacity of organisations is key. Adapting to the changes in a fast moving and diverse society needs help and is often beyond the scope of many volunteer led bands and organisations

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

If it is effective in principle the experience of brass bands is that they are over looked.

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?

No