Arts Council of Wales reveals plan to make funding more inclusive

The Arts Council of Wales (ACW) has launched a consultation paper on the way it uses lottery funding to make the process more accessible and inclusive.

ACW is asking stakeholders and the public to suggest ways in which it can open up the process to disabled and black and minority ethnic people in the arts sector, as well as organisations in geographical areas that have not received as much funding previously.

The paper consists of 12 topics in total, with other areas being consulted on including making and enjoying the arts in Welsh, funding individual artists to mobilise them and investing in Wales-based artists to participate in high-profile international showcasing events.

"We have been acting as a lottery funds distributor since 1995, and during the past 23 years have funded 13,502 projects across Wales and distributed £287m of lottery funds,” said Kath Davies, ACW director of investment and funding services

"But nothing stands still, so we are beginning one of our most ambitious consultations ever and we are inviting everyone in Wales to contribute to it."

In the paper, the council also pledges to make it easier for organisations to apply for funding by removing the many different application categories, earmarking the possible introduction of a "super-fast" application for smaller funding amounts.

The consultation closes on 15 February 2019 and can be found here.