Prof.Adrian Kear - Head of Department of Theatre, Film and Television Studies, Aberystwyth

Dear Judie,

ACW funding for CPR

I write to register my personal support for CPR as an arts organisation that has informed and influenced my professional development as a scholar of theatre and performance. CPR has long been at the vanguard of identifying, promoting and archiving innovative and experimental theatre and performance practice, and supporting the creative labour that goes into its making. It is acknowledged word-wide as source of inspiration and regeneration for theatre arts and artists, and has contributed considerably to putting Aberystwyth, and Wales itself, on the international map. The decision of the Arts Council of Wales to withdraw revenue funding for CPR at the very moment it is seeking to establish national institutions of international repute is therefore as questionable as it is regrettable.

The presence of CPR in Aberystwyth, and its close association with the University’s Department of Theatre, Film and Television, was an important part of my understanding of the cultural economy of West Wales long before my appointment to the University. I doubt there is quite such a successful model of partnership working anywhere else in the creative arts in the UK; and it is certainly curious that the added value this provides should be jeopardised at a point in time when partnership between agencies and organisations is very much part of public policy. The benefits to the people of Wales in having two world-class arts and education providers working in close conjunction with one another are without question considerable.

Certainly the TFTS-CPR partnership was key attraction to me in taking up my employment in Aberystwyth. I know that this is also the case for a large number of colleagues and students – whether or not they are specialists in theatre and performance. The impact of CPR on the economy of West Wales, through its contribution to the cultural infrastructure of the region, should not be underestimated and would provide sufficient justification alone to continue revenue funding. But the real benefit to Wales would be in continuing to support an organisation whose international reputation for excellence – and for risk and innovation – is already firmly established and which could help to generate and propagate these values within the nation more generally. Wales would be less creative and less respected without the dynamic contribution of CPR’s distinctive energies.
I therefore urge ACW to reverse its decision and to explore ways of nurturing CPR’s programme, profile and productive contribution to the cultural life of the nation.
Yours sincerely,

Adrian Kear
Professor of Theatre and Performance

Head of Department: Professor Adrian Kear (BA Hons.; MSocSc; PhD)
Department of Theatre, Film and Television StudiesParry-Williams Building, Penglais CampusAberystwyth SY23 3AJ