Last week, the Welsh Government confirmed its planned 10.5% (£3m) cuts to Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales, the Arts Council of Wales and the National Library. Combined with a £1.5m year-on-year deficit, it means Amgueddfa Cymru must reduce its 2024/25 revenue budget by £4.5m by the end of March. Further devastating cuts are planned for Cadw and the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales. Amgueddfa Cymru has already begun a restructure process and up to 100 staff have been placed on notice of redundancy. In addition, Dawn Boden, Deputy Minister for Culture, indicated to the Senedd’s Culture Committee that charges may be reintroduced at national museums to generate more income.
These are drastic cuts to the culture sector in Wales and put at risk the vital contributions of cultural institutions to the economy, education and wellbeing. It is estimated that arts and culture contribute more than £10.8bn gross value added to the UK economy (more than agriculture). Culture pays £2.8bn in taxes – that is £5 for every £1 of public investment. In addition, for every job supported by arts and culture, an additional 1.7 jobs are supported in the wider economy. The contribution of the Creative Industries to the culture and economy of Wales includes turnover and employment levels of £2.2 billion and 56,000 people. Amgueddfa Cymru alone adds in excess of £80m per year to the Welsh economy.
In 2021, the Welsh Deputy Minister for Culture said: “I’m passionate about ensuring that the next generation views the creative industries as an accessible and rewarding career choice.” Amgueddfa Cymru is currently the largest out of classroom provider of education in Wales, reaching more than 200,000 school children. Almost 2 million people visit museums of the Amgueddfa Cymru group each year. What are the creative industries without the inspiration and education provided by our museums?
Culture is an essential element of the economy, education and wellbeing. We acknowledge Lord Bragg’s words, in his recent motion to the House of Lords noting the contribution of the arts to the economy and to society (1 February 2024): “The arts are not the cherry on the cake – they are the cake.”
Amgueddfa Cymru contributes to delivering Welsh Government programme, including on decarbonisation, addressing inequality, improving access and participation for all, and promoting health and well-being. The cuts to the curatorial and conservation departments will reduce the level of expertise and knowledge enabling the preservation of, and access to, the 5 million items comprising the national collection, the storytelling supporting exhibitions and the work of learning staff. This will reduce the ability of Amgueddfa Cymru to support the Welsh Government’s flagship Well-Being of Future Generations Act to holistically improve the social, economic, environmental and cultural well-being of Wales.
ICOM UK stands with Amgueddfa Cymru in this difficult time.
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