Following the news of the proposed financial cut backs in possible brass band funding in Wales, as highlighted on 4BR, the National Assembly for Wales’s Communities and Culture Committee has launched an inquiry into the accessibility of arts and culture in Wales and is calling for evidence from interested parties.

Examine

The committee will examine areas such as the geographic spread of arts venues — from the range of activities that take place, to access and funding and the impact the Welsh Government’s budget for 2011-12 will have on the industry in Wales.

It will also look at the Welsh Government’s current investment in museums, libraries and archives to see if it has widened access to cultural activities, and the role local authorities play in providing access to the sector.

This is an important inquiry that will aim to establish whether the Welsh Government’s investment in arts and culture has achieved its objective of widening accessibility to cultural experiencesAM, Sandy Mewies

High quality

"Everyone should be able to access high-quality cultural experiences, regardless of where they live or their background," said Committee Chair Sandy Mewies AM.

"This is an important inquiry that will aim to establish whether the Welsh Government’s investment in arts and culture has achieved its objective of widening accessibility to cultural experiences."

Impact

They added: "We are conscious that the current financial climate will put pressure on future financial support for the sector, so we are also interested in considering the impact this may have.

"The committee would encourage anyone with knowledge of or interest in the area to get in touch with the National Assembly and have their say, so that this inquiry can be shaped by the people who know the sector best."

Written evidence

Interested parties are invited to submit written evidence by Friday 24 September 2010 to Community.Culture.comm@Wales.gov.uk or by post to: Clerk of the Communities and Culture Committee, National Assembly for Wales, Ty Hywel, Cardiff Bay, CF99 1NA.

Specific questions

The specific questions the committee is interested in hearing the answers to can be found on its webpage on the National Assembly for Wales’s website: http://www.assemblywales.org/bus-home/bus-committees/bus-committees-scrutiny-committees/bus-committees-third-ccc-home.htm