Heidi Wilson - Dance Practitioner, Llandrindod Wells, Wales

Dear Judie

I was dismayed to learn that ACW is proposing to cut its revenue grant to CPR. CPR is an internationally respected organisation which does so much to support, develop, disseminate and archive contemporary international performance practice.

As a dance practitioner working in Wales CPR provides invaluable professional development activities led by regional, national and international practitioners. This opportunity helps my development as a practicing community dance artist and lecturer and in turn is reflected in the quality of my delivery to the many people I work with in Wales. This training would otherwise be extremely difficult to access.

In addition, CPR provides Wales with a window on international performance practice and puts Wales on the international performance map with renowned practitioners coming to work and share their skills in our country.

I recently attended a PALATINE event Black and Asian Theatre and Dance in Higher Education. Many of the international presenters and delegates had already heard the bad news concerning CPR and were shocked and puzzled by the apparently parochial decision by ACW to threaten the future of this important organisation. More transparency in the decision making process may help to understand what the thinking is behind ACW’s apparently incomprehensible decision. This decision seems to contradict ACW’s own strategies concerning capacity building, promoting an outward facing Wales and honouring its pledge to arts outside Cardiff. At least three of the six arts organisations targeted for a complete cut in revenue funding are in mid and west Wales. This seems to make a mockery of the arts outside Cardiff pledge and appears to unfairly target rural areas.

If this decision is not reconsidered arts access and practice in Wales will be sadly diminished.

Yours sincerely

Heidi Wilson, Dance Practitioner
Llandrindod Wells, Wales