WAPA is extremely concerned at the implications for touring in the Drama Strategy. Indeed, apart from Clwyd it is hard to see where any sort of touring will come from. Yet this remains an ACW objective. WAPA does not believe that the Drama Strategy can deliver touring work of the highest quality at either middle or small scale levels. There is a strong indication that some community touring, as well as other objectives, will be fulfilled by the enhanced use of project funding.
Project funding can never fulfil a long term strategic role.
It cannot deliver continuity and expertise. It is an unstable and insecure form of funding which requires a work commitment for periods well in excess of the time for which the funding is given. Project funding does not offer sustainability which is high on ACW's agenda, and is notorious for encouraging bad employment practice. In the short term the number of companies will reduce by a third and so immediately will directorial and administrative jobs. In the medium term the ambition is to reduce revenue clients by half which will further erode the skills base.