Senior ACW staff have lost the confidence of artists, report says
A report on the Arts Council of Wales, commissioned by Tom Middleton, the Arts Secretary of the Welsh Assembly, has said that the organisation has "not coped well with a series of challenges", has "mishandled a number of high profile decisions", and has "lost the confidence of those whom it serves in the arts community." In fact, the report goes on, it has "lost confidence in itself."
The report was prepared by Richard Wallace, a retired Principal Finance Officer at the Welsh Office, and was commissioned earlier this year after a number of high profile cases in which ACW angered the Welsh arts community and was forced to change some important decisions, most noteably the awarding of TIE franchises.
Amongst the report's recommendations are that ACW:
ACW should also, the report goes on, fill the vacancies on the council "as a matter of urgency."
Sigificant among the recommendations for the restructuring is an emphasis on a stronger role for regional committees.
Welcoming the report, Tom Middleton said, "The Council has made a sound start in learning the lessons of recent experience - but a great deal more needs to be done. I urge the Council to act on the recommendations of the Management Review vigorously and rapidly so as to fit itself afresh for what lies ahead."
Sadler's Wells going bust, says Mirror
According to tabloid newspaper, The Mirror, Sadler's Wells is heading for insolvency. According to the paper, the Wells "is now spending a fortune fighting legal battles. Electrical contractor Goodmarriott & Hursthouse is claiming an outstanding £1m. And lawyers for the theatre are considering action against builders Bovis... Last night Sadler's Wells strongly denied that it was insolvent."
"Soft" news
Amateur Theatre News - Nothing new this week
News Index