Motion NDM7421 Sian Gwenllian

To propose that the Senedd:

 1. Recognises the importance of the  Welsh Arts, Culture and Heritage sectors, and the challenges these sectors face as a result of COVID-19. 

2. Welcomes the renewed exploration of Wales’s diverse heritage during the months of the pandemic in light of the Black Lives Matter movement and other campaigns. 

3. Supports calls to ensure that our heritage is promoted and presented in a sensitive manner and inclusive of all of its rich diversity in future. 

4. Regrets that the UK Government’s job support scheme is unlikely to save many arts and live music venues and cultural attractions from closure, and to save arts workers’ careers (freelance and salaried), despite the fact that they were viable prior to COVID-19.

5. Opposes proposals to develop one or more military museums in Cardiff Bay. 

6. Calls on the Welsh Government to: 

a) work with the Arts Council of Wales, the Wales Freelance Task Force and other groups and organisations within the arts and culture sector to implement the recommendations of the report, 'Rebalancing and Reimagining: Strategies to Support Arts and Performance Freelancers';

b) use the planning system to restrict and manage the ability of buildings that were used for arts, cultural and heritage purposes prior to the Coronavirus Act 2020 to receive planning permission for a change of use whilst the pandemic continues to impact on the ability to use those venues for their intended purpose;

 c) explore the creation of a National Museum for Black and People of Colour History and Heritage, to be based in Tiger Bay as a potential alternative to the proposal for one or more military museums;

 d) ensure more black and people of colour involvement in arts and cultural bodies, as called for in Race Alliance Wales’s Manifesto for An Anti-Racist Wales;

 e) ensure that the Welsh language is at the heart of the workforce and output of the arts sector in its entirety going forward;

 f) introduce statutory protections to prevent the loss of Welsh language place names from the built and natural environments.

 g) ensure that each government department works strategically towards the delivery of the sixth pillar of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015, a Wales of vibrant culture and thriving Welsh language, and, in so doing, engages deeply and meaningfully with the arts, culture and heritage sectors.