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Terry Hands, Director of Clwyd Theatr Cymru
"They should be passionate about the future"
 real 28k

Friday, 10 December, 1999, 22:47 GMT
Tzar could be appointed to arts

Performance Many theatre companies lost contracts due to the arts drama strategy


The Arts Council of Wales has been meeting against the background of speculation that they will get a tzar.

The National Assembly is to appoint the so-called, Arts Tzar, to head a wide ranging review of policy in Wales.

After facing a barrage of criticism for its drama strategy, the Arts Council is also discussing a vote of no confidence in its chief executive.



The arts tzar should be passionate about the future.
Terry Hands, Theatr Clwyd
And artists in Wales claim that art also looks set to lose out.

Many theatre companies have lost contracts and money due to the arts drama strategy for education that have sparked the recent controversy.


Terry Hands Terry Hands: The tzar should be objective to the arts in Wales
Actors and people who work in the industry feel that whoever would get the tzar job would face difficulties.

"I feel that the tzar should be neutral but also well informed," said actor Alun ap Brinley.

Terry Hands, Director of Clwyd Theatre Cymru, based in Mold said that whoever would get the job should have a "real track record, that is to say a real career behind them.

"It should be a senior person who does know the arts in Wales but can be objective.

"They should be passionate about the future," he added.

On Wednesday John Griffiths, the Labour Assembly Member for Newport East, called for senior officials from the Arts Council of Wales to be called before the Post-16 Education Committee to face questioning on their drama strategy.

Mr Griffiths said the committee has agreed to the request and there could be a meeting in the New Year.

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See also:
08 Dec 99 |  Wales
Assembly demands drama funding explanation
03 Dec 99 |  Wales
Funding cuts cause Arts Council unrest
11 Oct 99 |  Wales
Plans for Welsh theatre shake-up criticised

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