National Theatre Wales appeals over funding cut

National Theatre Wales (NTW) will lodge an appeal to Arts Council Wales (ACW) after its funding was cut last week lodging an appeal and requested an “urgent conversation” after its core funding cut by the organisation last week.

In an open letter to ACW published today the theatre company urged it to engage in “constructive” dialogue, warning that it will be forced to close down in six months if its funding is not reinstated.

It said that if forced to close, the skills and career development of our actors, directors, writers, designers and production staff will be jeopardised, noting that this could affect the pipeline of skills that feeds the country’s television and film industry.

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NTW has previously faced criticism for performing in English and favouring English artists over Welsh ones. English language theatre is due to be the subject of a forthcoming review by ACW, while Welsh is one of the core principles arts organisations must respond to in their funding applications.

In its letter, NTW said that although it welcomed a proposed review by ACW into English language theatre provision in Wales, it sought to “challenge the decision to dismantle Wales’ English language national theatre before this review takes place.”

The company also highlighted that removing funding would "pull apart" its long-running community engagement programme TEAM.

"No other arts organisation in Wales has democratised the decision-making of a national organisation as we have done with NTW's TEAM Panel, which is made up of community leaders, creatives, activists and educators, embodying a diversity truly representative of contemporary Wales, and serving as an accessible gateway into the arts," the letter said.

"Our collaborations with major international partners and grassroots organisations, through which we put locally rooted stories of Wales onto a global stage, will be abruptly ended. Theatres across Wales, which ACW funds, will have even fewer shows to invite their audiences to."

Speaking after its portfolio of funded organisations was announced last week, ACW Chief Executive Dafydd Rhys said that while "the decision not to continue funding for some organisations will no doubt be much debated, which is something we welcome", the organisation's "strategic interventions will respond to any gaps created in relevant sectors as a result of our decisions.” 

He said: “This investment review represents a very positive shift for the arts in Wales, one that will lead to new opportunities for people of all backgrounds to engage with and enjoy creativity of the highest quality. 

“We were very pleased to be able to fund 81 organisations across Wales, although we recognise that we could not fund everybody, or fund all organisations to the level that they would like."