Arts Council of Wales shifts priorities for capital funding

IFACCA/Artshub, 07 February 2003,United Kingdom

Following a review of its strategy for the distribution of Lottery funds, the Arts Council of Wales (ACW) has predicted a marked shift in its capital funding priorities over the next four years. The impact of the UK’s Disability Discrimination Act 2005 on capital funding is now on the agenda, with the ACW announcing it has commissioned a study into the cost implications of the new legislation, which will inform the organisation’s capital strategy. At this stage, the ACW predicts the level of investment required in this area will far exceed available resources. Consideration would therefore be given to applications for smaller, independent organisations, while ‘it is unlikely the ACW will be in a position to fund major applications to improve access and associated facilities for disabled people,’ the report said. The full impact of the Disability Discrimination Act would be dependent on the outcomes of the study, and a decision by the Welsh Assembly Government in regards to extra funding, according to the ACW. The ACW evaluation also revealed that about 75% of work under the Project Registration scheme points to the fact that venues are planning in terms of refurbishment and extensions, rather than new buildings. Therefore, the draft Capital Strategy for the Distribution of Lottery Funding 2002-2006 will prioritise applications from well-established organisations, regarding refurbishment projects or, in some instances, 'modest' new buildings. The evaluation also revealed that two previous areas of priority which had not attracted a significant number of applications – funding for workshop and studio space, and public art – would, however, remain a priority under the new strategy. A seperate review of venues in Cardiff is also underway, which may have bearing on capital funding requests. Meanwhile, the period covered by the new strategy would likely see the development of a proposal for a Visual Art Gallery in Pembrokeshire, although a full application is not anticipated to be considered until March 2006 at the earliest. The ACW is holding consultation meetings across Wales for interested parties to discuss the draft strategy in detail with ACW officers. CLICK HERE to download the draft ACW Strategy for Capital Lottery Funding 2002-2006 from the ACW website.

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