Proposed cuts to Wales’ cultural sector will have devastating impact

Hered Fichan Mid-South Wales Plaid Cymru MS

Our national collections are at risk, and so are our culture, arts and heritage sectors.

Over the years, successive reports commissioned by the Welsh Government have confirmed warnings that cultural heritage institutions and organizations in Wales are underfunded, both in capital and revenue. And for years, successive Labor ministers and deputy ministers have ignored these warnings.

Amgefa Cymru, National Library of Wales, Arts Council Wales and Book Council of Wales face a 10.5% cut in their revenue budgets, while Caddo and the Royal Commission into Ancient and Historic Monuments of Wales will see a 22% cut. confronting.

While the savings would be small in relation to the Welsh Government’s overall budget, the impact would be devastating.

In December, Amgefa Cymru chief executive Jane Richardson provided no further clarity on the current risks to the collection while giving evidence to the Senedd’s Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport and International Relations Committee. I couldn’t tell. If there’s a storm or heavy rain, we literally have to have staff on standby so they can come to the building in the middle of the night and take the paintings off the walls. ”

urgent work

She also said £90 million was needed for the entire site, which would consist of seven national museums and a collection center in Nantgarh. This includes her £25 million for major emergency works at Cardiff National Museum and, of course, the upkeep of the Big Pit. Although not currently a coal mine, the museum operates under the strict regulations of the Mine and Quarry Health and Safety Act and safety is paramount when conducting underground tours.

These warnings should not be taken lightly or ignored just because the sector is on high alert.

In 2016, Delhi’s Natural History Museum was destroyed by fire, years after concerns were raised about its upkeep.

Then, in 2018, a fire destroyed Brazil’s National Museum, and 92.5% of the country’s national collection, built over more than 200 years, disappeared overnight due to a malfunctioning air conditioner. The inspector general had warned of the fire danger as early as 2004, and the government continued to cut funding despite these warnings.

After the fire, Luis Duare, one of the museum’s deputy directors, explicitly blamed political failure for the museum’s devastation, reportedly saying: It is now completely destroyed. He added: “I feel completely disappointed and extremely angry.”

close call

Wales is already on the brink of crisis after a fire broke out on the roof of the National Library of Wales in 2013, damaging some of the library’s collections. Burying our heads in the sand and praying that it never happens again here in Wales is not a strategic approach to national memory.

Another risk to our collections, heritage and culture relates to the loss of staff, which will be unavoidable given the scale of the proposed redundancies. Voluntary redundancy schemes have already begun, and compulsory redundancy schemes are likely to follow. We will lose experts and practitioners who not only value cultural heritage, but also help engage people of all ages and backgrounds with cultural heritage. There will be no time for succession planning or training others in those skills.

The ability to utilize funds from trusts, foundations and donors will also be limited. Wales has always led the way in making culture and our collections more accessible, and many of our organizations are increasingly successful in securing additional funding to offset gaps in their income streams. This too is at risk from cuts.

free entrance

When it comes to national museums, the Welsh Government appears to believe that a potential solution is to abolish free entry and allow Amgefa Cymru to charge an entry fee. it’s not.

Since 2001, free admission has been a highly successful policy, resulting in the number of visitors to the museum more than doubling each year. Of note is the large increase among families from lower socio-economic backgrounds.

Ten years after the policy was introduced, Hugh Lewis, then Minister for Housing, Regeneration and Heritage, said: Free admission policies strike the right balance between meeting the needs of existing loyal visitors and attracting new audiences that are difficult to reach, as well as addressing access barriers such as poverty and social exclusion. I’m taking it.

“This was key to not only increasing volume, but also appealing to a wider range of people in the community. Before admission was free, there were less than 250,000 visitors from less affluent groups; , that number has doubled in the 10 years of this policy.”

Thirteen years later, the Welsh Government appears to be considering a U-turn. Neither Vaughan Gething nor Jeremy Miles promised free admission in their manifestos as the next First Minister of Wales, and the former may now only apply to under-18s who made this policy pledge. hints at. “Consider the possibility of introducing cultural passports for under-18s to enable young people from all backgrounds to access arts, culture and creative opportunities. ”

pressure

Of course, those working in these sectors understand the challenges to the overall budget and the pressures on social security, health, education, etc. But they also understand how culture and the arts interact with each of these portfolios, and the economic value that culture brings to Wales and can be invested in public services.

Cutting these would not only be short-sighted, it would be detrimental to the Welsh economy. This is made clear in Cadw’s Heritage Counts Report, published in January 2020, just before the pandemic, which states: by historical circumstances. In 2018, these visitors spent his £1.72 billion.” When you add culture and art to it, the impact becomes even greater.

On the other hand, the Welsh Government appears to recognize this by the fact that a “vibrant culture and thriving Welsh language” is one of the seven welfare objectives of the Welfare for Future Generations Act.

Many national well-being indicators are also linked to culture and heritage. For example: “Participation in arts, culture and heritage. Professional standards in heritage collection and the management of cultural heritage.”

But actions speak louder than words and I am concerned that this goal is not being given the focus it needs from the Government. This has to change. I hope that the next Prime Minister will elevate culture to a cabinet position and work with these sectors to realize their even greater potential. Our culture and heritage must be protected for present and future generations.

Heledd Fychan is Cymru’s Cultural Spokesperson and a member of Senedd for South Mid Wales. Prior to his election in 2021, Mr. Hered worked at Amgefa Shimul and chaired the Museum Association’s Ethics Committee.