A Welsh Liberal Democrat Assemb;y Member has raised questions after a major music festival was given nearly £250,000 of assembly government money only days after other cultural organisations lost public funding.
The Faenol Festival in Bangor, Gwynedd, which is organised by opera star Bryn Terfel, will receive the money over the next three years. It comes after the Arts Council of Wales (ACW) cut grants to several arts organisations.
The fairness of the funding has been questioned by some assembly members. But the assembly government insisted the festival was one of a number of events being supported that would promote culture, stimulate business growth, and enhance communities.
The funding decision was made by Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones after the Faenol Festival was cancelled last year due to financial problems.
North Wales Liberal Democrat AM Eleanor Burnham said there were “many interesting questions” to ask about it.
She said: “There are several doubts because the process has been long winded for those other groups, many of whom have been rejected through the Arts Council process.
“Then suddenly, interestingly and overnight, there is some more money, a considerable amount of money, found from another pot for a separate organisation.”
She added that the Llangollen International Eisteddfod, of which she is an honorary president, “could have really relished” a similar funding award to that received by the Faenol Festival.
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Political will from the current Heritage minister in my opinion is not present….in these times it would be prudent to spread the Arts funding widely….little less to many more institutions in the interests of inclusivity, this will take much more admin and more work so the Arts council will just carry on giving alot to relatively few.
Assembly members should realise that the ACW is run like a private members club and many of the persons administering the funding are hardly out of sixth form.
It will take a change of government at the Senedd and a Heritage minister that will keep a close eye on them. I know for sure they are very pleased with the hands off approach of the current Plaid Minister .