Jaroslaw Fret & Dr. Grzegorz Ziolkowski - The Grotowski Institute

Dear Judie and Richard,

We are writing to express our extreme concern at the news regarding the proposed change in funding by the Arts Council Wales. We consider CPR to be an essential institution in contemporary theatre and performance, and a key reference point - both across the UK and internationally - for those interested in international theatre, experimental theatre, theatre history, performance research (both theoretical and practical), and in dialogue and reflection about performance.
The Grotowski Institute has collaborated with CPR on many occasions in the past,
with excellent results. We continue to engage in close collaboration with CPR, with a special issue of Performance Research (On Performatics), an edition of the Giving Voice festival to take place in Wroclaw during the Grotowski Year (2009), and a series of four books on Polish theatre among our current, joint projects. We are deeply concerned about the implications of these funding changes for our current and future work together, and for CPR's many other national and international collaborations.

CPR is an institution of international standing which has assisted, engaged with, and contributed to the development of many individuals, groups and institutions across the UK, Europe, and beyond, over many years. We offer our support, as always, and strongly urge ACW to reconsider this decision to enforce competition for funding on a project by project basis, which we believe will severely hinder CPR's capacity to be the forward-looking and consistently innovative institute that we know.

Please pass on our views to ACW.

With all best wishes,

Jaroslaw Fret
Dr. Grzegorz Ziolkowski
Directors of The Grotowski Institute