Who we are and what we do

The Arts Council of Wales is responsible for funding and developing the arts in Wales. We became accountable to the National Assembly for Wales on 1 July 1999 when responsibility was transferred from the Secretary of State for Wales. The Welsh Assembly Government provides us with money to fund the arts in Wales and, as an Assembly Government Sponsored Body, we are responsible to the Welsh Assembly Government for the way this money is spent. We are also the distributor of Lottery money for the arts in Wales. National Lottery funds are allocated to us by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), based in London.

The Arts Council of Wales works with many partners in carrying out its national responsibility for developing and funding the arts in Wales and advising the Welsh Assembly Government on issues associated with the arts. In achieving our aims for the arts in Wales, we are indebted to ourpartners in the professional, community and voluntary arts, local authorities and other sectors for their vital cooperation and contributions.

The Arts Council of Wales is managed by its Council, which meets six times a year. Council members are unpaid and appointed by the Welsh Assembly Government.

Our staff are based in offices in Colwyn Bay, Carmarthen and Cardiff.

The Arts Council of Wales (ACW) supports arts activity and facilities through money from the Welsh Assembly Government, local government and the National Lottery.

ACW was set up in 1994 by Royal Charter, and its aims remain to:

• develop and improve the knowledge, understanding and practise of the arts
• increase the accessibility of the arts to the public
• advise and co-operate with other public bodies
• work through the medium of Welsh and English

ACW aims to deliver these aims by:

• Continuing to develop a network of financially secure and well-managed arts organisations, providing a range of spaces and opportunities to develop, perform, see, participate in and exhibit product across Wales.
  
• Supporting more good quality product (in all artforms):
   - available to tour
   - touring
   - in development
  
• Supporting more opportunities across Wales:
   to see; and
   to participate (as a practitioner and audience member) in the development of the artistic product
  
• Developing and strengthening the capacity of local authorities to fund and support the arts. This will be done specifically by:
   advocating the benefits of the arts
   jointly funded arts development posts
   jointly funded project work and organizations
   jointly planned approach to investment
  
• Encouraging organisations and individuals to work together across Wales ensuring that opportunities to experience the arts are maximised.