Wales ekes £1.5 million (sic) on arts
NewsIn today’s budget statement in Cardiff there was a derisory increase of £1.5 million for the Arts Council of Wales.
That will barely cover the rise in coffee prices.
The chorus of Welsh National Opera has been reduced to 21. The land of song is stilled.
Why aren’t they out protesting on the streets?
Where’s Charlotte Church (pic)? Shirley Bassey? Tom Jones?
Nobody who has any power cares. And those who do care deeply have no power.
And this at the same time the Chicago Symphony gets a £50 million gift! Do you think we’re on the wrong continent?
Perhaps the UK and other European countries need a tax regime that favors private donations. (not to mention the creation of wealth in order to give some away).
Well, Charlotte Church is probably out demonstrating, but with the pro-Palestinian (sic) mob.
Interesting use of the pejorative ‘mob’ when you mean people marching against genocide. Thanks for letting us know you’re on the side of the genocidaires.
Also what happened to the Junior Department of the Royal Welsh College of Music?
Where’s Charlotte Church? Shirley Bassey? Tom Jones?
Could equally, and perhaps more pertinently, said where are the likes of Bryn Terfel et al who have been more vociferous about keeping ENO afloat in London? Plus, all this is being done whilst the activites of the new DCMS regime seems to have disappeared down a black hole.
The Land of Music (Wales) desperately needs a highly respected, visual and vocal voice for the arts. The two primary companies (BBC NOW & WNO) have suffered from a lack of home-grown talent, or the interest in nurturing and developing, potential Music Directors and, being Cardiff centric. The numerous and wonderful singers over the years have failed to be strong advocates for Welsh music. With ACE in such disarray, on almost everything, but particularly concerning touring, it has jeopardized the future of many Welsh arts companies and WNO could end up a shadow of its former brilliant and innovative self. Please all administrators and politicians start joining the dots up before generations of hard work is lost.
WNO chorus will actually be reduced to 20 full time, sadly.
Wales is simply no longer the land of music.
No-one here is interested in funding, promoting or attending any performances other than amateur welsh male voice choirs, brass bands and harpists.
Musically, Wales has lost it’s way.
Even the once highly regarded Cardiff Singer of The World has gone due to lack of funding (using the lame excuse of repairs to the once highly regarded St Davids Hall, Cardiff)
Musically Wales is a desert and will remain so whilst funding for the arts is so pathetic
It isn’t just about “funding”. Unless the demand is there – from schools, parents and the media, funding will not be provided.
I don’t see many protests.