Press release - 31 January 2006

25 arts organisations unite, supporting amendment in Welsh Assembly

At a meeting at St David's Hall today, convened by the National Campaign for the Arts (NCA), representatives from 25 arts organisations from across the cultural sector spoke out on the proposed changes to the structure of the arts in Wales. The organisations made it clear that there has been no meaningful consultation on the proposals and that the changes must not go ahead without the input of the arts community.

They mandated the NCA to write to Assembly Members expressing their support for the amendment requiring a review of this policy and of the role of the Arts Council of Wales, in order that the proposals cannot go ahead without a meaningful debate on the consequences.

Victoria Todd, Director of the National Campaign for the Arts, said:

"There was a single message coming from a meeting in which a significant proportion of the arts community in Wales was present. This message is simple: there has been no meaningful consultation on proposals with far-reaching consequences for the entire sector. As a result, and on behalf of 25 organisations, the NCA is calling for Assembly Members from all parties to vote for the amendment on Wednesday reviewing the role of the Arts Council of Wales."

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1. For any further information please contact the NCA, 1 Kingly St, London W1B 5PA. Telephone: 020 7287 3777. Fax: 020 7287 4777. Email: nca@artscampaign.org.uk. Website: www.artscampaign.org.uk

4. The National Campaign for the Arts (NCA) is the UK's only independent lobbying organisation representing all the arts. It provides a voice for the arts world in all its diversity. It seeks to safeguard, promote and develop the arts and win public and political recognition for the importance of the arts as a key element in our national culture.

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