Dr. Ric Allsopp - Senior Research Fellow - Department of Contemporary Arts, MMU Cheshire

Dear Judie and Richard,

I am very dismayed and not a little angry to hear of the Arts Council of Wales' decision to withdraw revenue funding from CPR. This would seem to be the most ill-judged (and ill-timed) of decisions on the part of ACW.

The reputation and vision of CPR as a singular focus for production, programming, education and publication in the field of contemporary performance is unique and without question not just in Wales, and the UK, but in the wider international field of theatre and performance. CPR has carefully, responsibly and deservedly established this reputation and its vision over more than 30 years - a body of work, practice and scholarship that has established a very diverse set of international networks from which a wide range of individuals, companies, researchers, scholars, and artists have and continue to benefit. CPR's work continues to be instrumental in the international development of the field of contemporary theatre and performance - at the levels of discourse, practice and of public engagement.

This is in stark contrast to the current funding 'vision' of ACW - a decision which would appear to have no understanding of the real value of CPR's work or how that value cannot be separated from mechanisms of funding and continuing support. Simply put, to propose project-based funding is to misunderstand what it is that CPR needs to sustain and develop the infrastructure that is at the heart of what CPR is and does. The ACW decision would seem to be driven by a very reductive economic vision which will in the longer term undermine both the infrastructure of CPR and the general provision of a dynamic theatre and performance culture in Wales.

I would therefore strongly urge ACW to review its decision and to broaden its thinking on how to build rather than potentially demolish what is a unique and dynamic resource for Wales, the UK and the international community.

Best wishes in a difficult time,

Ric

Dr. Ric Allsopp
Senior Research Fellow - Department of Contemporary Arts, MMU Cheshire
Visiting Professor - Centre for Dance Education, University of the Arts, Berlin
Joint Editor - Performance Research Journal, London: Routledge