Operational Plan 2019/20 EMPLOYER
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Arts Council of Wales Operational Plan 2019/20 EMPLOYER Arts Council of Wales is committed to making information available in large print, braille, audio and British Sign Language and will endeavour to provide information in languages other than Welsh or English on request. Arts Council of Wales operates an equal opportunities policy. Front cover: Liminality, Transporter Bridge by 4Pi Productions, Wales Arts International Foreword This is the first Operational Plan that we’ve As a public body, it’s important that our work produced since the publication of our most is relevant, engaging and of quality. We must recent Corporate Plan - “For the Benefit of also recognise that it’s not something we All...” As its title implies, the Plan re-affirms the can do on our own. This is easy to say, but importance of ensuring that more people, from sometimes difficult to deliver. Nevertheless, the full range of contemporary Welsh society, we’re determined to use our best endeavours are able to enjoy and take part in the arts. to find and work with those partners who share our goals. This Operational Plan focuses on our two priorities: achieving a more equal approach to The Welsh Government’s Well-being of Future reaching wider audiences, and helping artists Generations Act provides the context. And by and arts organisations to become stronger and working together in a collaborative way with more resilient. Happily, there’s no contradiction our colleagues across the public sector, we’ll be between these two priorities. Successful, more likely to achieve the more prosperous and sustainable arts activity combines imagination fair Wales that we all want to see. and quality with an inclusive recognition of everyone’s right to enjoy a rich and diverse Our priorities are real and sincerely meant. cultural life. Diversity, equality and resilience should not be seen as issues to be handled but rather as We’re ambitious for the arts in Wales, but fundamental drivers of our creative future. We realistic about the challenges we face in these approach the year ahead with that commitment complex and uncertain times. This is why our at the heart of our work. Operational Plan is practical in its content. It is a one year summary of the work that we must complete to move forward towards meeting our longer term goals. Phil George Nick Capaldi Chair, Arts Council of Wales Chief Executive, Arts Council of Wales i Let’s Celebrate! Creative learning through the arts event (image: Tom Martin, Wales News Service) Contents Who we are 2 What we do 4 Our vision and strategy 7 Our key programmes of work in 2019/20 10 Being the best we can be 19 Appendices 1. Financial information 21 2. Arts Portfolio Wales 23 3. Governance Structure 59 4. Welsh Government Remit Letter 2019/20 60 Who we are We’re the country’s official funding and We want to foster an environment in which the development organisation for the arts. Our arts are able to flourish – an environment which principal sponsor is the Welsh Government. We identifies and nurtures creative talent, wherever also distribute funding from the National Lottery it’s found in Wales, to its full potential. Our work is and raise additional money where we can from informed by the values that govern our work as a other public and private sector sources. public body. These are the values that guide what we do. They set the standards you should expect Working together with the Welsh Government, from us and the quality of service you can expect we support and promote the important of us. They inform the way that we behave – with contribution that the arts make to Wales. ourselves and with you. iCoDaCo, Gwyn Emberton Dance 2 (image: Cheung Chi-Wai) 1 4 Being bold and creative Being the best we can be We support the best and most exciting At the heart of any successful organisation arts that Wales has to offer. By creating an are motivated and passionate people. We environment in which the arts can flourish, we respect and encourage each other. We help artists and arts organisations to make approach every day with a positive attitude their best work. and a willingness to grow, learn and challenge ourselves. We learn from each other, and from those who we work with. Working together we 2 achieve outcomes that make a difference. Working for everyone We want as many people as possible to enjoy 5 and take part in the arts, whether in Welsh or Taking the long view English. In a fair and equal Wales we believe that the arts should be widely and easily Many individuals and organisations share available to everyone. We’re determined to our Values. Wales will be a better place if we champion the breaking down the barriers that collaborate and work together, sharing the currently prevent this from happening. best of our knowledge and expertise. We’re aware of our place in the world, and our responsibility to the planet and to future generations.We work in ways that demonstrate 3 the best in sustainable development and in Winning the public’s trust preventing future harm. As a public body we must be effective and accountable custodians of public funds. 6 We’re not reckless with the public’s money. We behave with honesty, integrity and fairness. Being proud of what we do We explain clearly and openly the decisions that we take, and we ensure that the funding Every day we see important and extraordinary investments we make are good value work. The arts bring meaning, authenticity and for money. enjoyment to our everyday lives. They create and sustain jobs, enrich education services, bring people together, improve our quality Take a look at our short animation of life. The arts matter. We will communicate explaining why The Arts Matter clearly and openly, telling the stories of our achievements. www.arts.wales 3 What we do we support and develop high quality we raise the profile of the arts in Wales – arts activity – we invest public funding, we’re the national voice for the arts in using these funds to create opportunities Wales, promoting the quality, value and for people to enjoy and take part in importance of the country’s artists and arts the arts. This includes support for a organisations nation-wide network of important arts organisations – our Arts Portfolio Wales – providing year round access to high quality arts opportunities we generate more money for the arts economy – we manage initiatives such as Collectorplan (our scheme to encourage more people to buy art); we secure we distribute Lottery funds – through European funding to grow the arts in applications to our Lottery funding Wales; and we have a presence programmes we’re able to fund projects at international events at home and that develop new arts activity, supporting abroad that open up new markets for individuals, communities and Welsh artists organisations we encourage innovation and experimentation – we promote we provide expert information and advice projects and initiatives that transform the about the arts – we’re the national centre arts in Wales. From our arts education of a network of information and partnership with the Welsh Government intelligence about the arts in Wales. We (Creative Learning through the Arts) to also have strong international links in the technological change (Digital Research & UK and beyond. Through our Council, Development), we are constantly looking our staff and our Arts Associates we have for new ways for people to encounter the largest concentration of specialist arts and discover the arts expertise in Wales 4 we influence planners and decision-makers we promote small scale performances in – the arts take place in many different local communities – our Night Out scheme settings. They can have a dramatic impact provides financial incentives to encourage on the quality of people’s lives, and the the promotion of high quality arts activity in places in which they live and work. The arts local community venues across Wales are also frequently at the heart of initiatives for economic and social regeneration. Our job is to ensure that the contribution that the arts can make is recognised we conduct all of our activities through the medium of both Welsh and English languages – a responsibility defined in statute. we develop international opportunities in the arts – through our specialist agency, Wales Arts International, we develop partnerships with cultural organisations such as the British Council, we promote internationally the contemporary culture of Wales, and we encourage international exchange and collaboration between artists and arts organisations 5 Making the arts central to the life and wellbeing of the nation. Our Vision Carnifal y Môr, National Eisteddfod 2018 6 (image: Aled Llywelyn) Our Strategy The basis of our strategy is rooted in the We’re ambitious for the arts in Wales. Our principles of Make: Reach: Sustain. strategy is to build a country in which our best talents are revealed, nurtured and shared; a country in which the widest possible cross section of people in Wales is enabled to enjoy and take part in the arts; a country in which Make excellent work is valued and sustained. We have two priorities that underpin our vision. Nurturing talent, creativity and capability They are: 1 Reach Promoting Equalities as the foundation Encouraging more of a clear commitment to reach more people to enjoy and take widely and deeply into all communities part in the arts across Wales 2 Sustain Strengthening the Capability and Supporting a dynamic Resilience of the arts, enabling creative and resilient arts sector talent to thrive Council has also identified an action to support delivery of these two: Simple, yes, but these words are invested with meaning.