6. Debate on the Culture, Welsh Language and Communications Committee report: Building Resilience, Inquiry into Non-Public Funding of the Arts

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:59 pm on 28 November 2018.

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Photo of David Lloyd David Lloyd Plaid Cymru 3:59, 28 November 2018

(Translated)

So, thank you very much, David, and, indeed, to Mark, and also to Caroline, who put forward a strong argument for the wider value of the arts and also the key contribution in terms of tourism. And also, I’m very pleased to note in the Minister’s response, to be fair, that he did answer our questions—questions that we put forward. The Minister also told us about the challenges that we face and also stated clearly that he continues to be committed to funding the arts in terms of public funding, and, of course, confirmed this resilience programme is to continue. We also welcome the news with regard to Creative Wales, Cymru Greadigol as well. I'm also grateful for the positive response to our recommendations. It has been a means, through this debate and report, of raising awareness of the importance of the arts. I'm very pleased to talk about the work that the Welsh Government is doing behind the scenes. It's not always given the publicity that it deserves, but it is supporting those people who make those successful funding bids.

To close, we have a whole host of talented and passionate individuals working in the arts here in Wales, and we have a whole host of Welsh people worldwide as well as in this country who have sufficient goodwill to want to support them in this regard. So, it’s a matter of bringing the two together. With strong leadership from the Welsh Government in this area, we do expect to see transformation in terms of funding and developing the resilience for the arts here in Wales. Thank you very much.