Forty arts organisations in Wales have received £8m in funding in a move aimed at protecting venues amid financial challenges faced by the sector.The Capital Investment Fund, issued by the Arts Council of Wales and the Welsh government, received 68 applications.Those receiving the funding include the Blackwood Miners’ Institute, the Grand Pavilion in Porthcawl and Cardiff’s Wales Millennium Centre. “It is clear there is a need to maintain and improve these important buildings whilst also enhancing the environmental sustainability of these venues,” said Dafydd Rhys, chief executive of the Arts Council of Wales.Mr Rhys said arts funding was required “to maintain and develop our important venues and enable creativity and community to flourish the length and breadth of Wales”.He added that there had been a number of strong proposals involving “exciting plans for the future”, including those that could not be supported in this round.The Welsh government has previously faced criticism for funding cuts to the art industry.The Arts Council of Wales has called for statutory funding for the sector from the Welsh government, saying funding cuts could mean the sector does not exist in a decade. Actor Michael Sheen has described funding cuts at Welsh National Opera, National Theatre Wales and Museum Wales as examples of “an attack on culture” in Wales. Organisations and venues that received the funding include:Theatr Brycheiniog in Brecon, PowysTheatr Felinfach near Lampeter, CeredigionElysium Gallery in SwanseaVenue Cymru in Llandudno, ConwyArtes Mundi Prize and Avant Cymru in WrexhamButetown Artists in CardiffLiterature Wales’ Ty Newydd in Llanystumdwy, GwyneddThe Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod in Denbighshire also received a grant of £166,500 to upgrade its sound and lighting systems.It said the funding would help “transform the building into a modern, energy-efficient, year-round arts venue at the heart of the community”.
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Arts organisations receive £8m grant amid cuts concerns
