Untitled - Literature Wales

The Welsh AcademyAnnual Report7Yellow Mountain Poetry Festival poetsFundingAcademi turnover for 2008-2009 finallytopped a million pounds. This turnover isfunded by a combination of revenue andLottery grants from the Arts Council of Wales(ACW), supplemented by direct interventionsfrom the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG),support from local authorities, the WelshBooks Council, charitable foundations,members’ subscriptions and the Academi’sown small-scale trading activities. The effectof standstill funding for 2009-2010, whilenot dramatic in itself, will begin to eat intoAcademi’s ability to respond to demand inthose areas where literature developmenthas been most hard fought for and hardwon – the areas of highest Welsh deprivation.From where we stand now prospects for 2010-2011 and beyond look dark. In a recession,demand for art climbs while funding shrinks.The arts community and, in particular, theliterature community in Wales, will need totake steps to let our case be heard. We arearticulate. We can do it. Be prepared towrite letters, talk to your councillor and lobbyyour Assembly Member.