More than 200 people from across arts, culture and heritage attended the first ever culture hustings for Wales.
The event, which took place at National Museum Cardiff on Monday (4 April), was organised by Creative Cardiff and What Next?Cardiff. Its aim was to increase the profile of arts, culture and heritage ahead of the Welsh Assembly elections.
On the panel were: Ken Skates, the deputy minister for culture, tourism and sport; Suzy Davies, the shadow Welsh culture minister, Welsh Conservatives; Bethan Jenkins, the broadcasting, culture and heritage spokesperson for Plaid Cymru; Amelia Womack, the deputy leader of the Green Party; and Denis Campbell from the Welsh Liberal Democrats.
The panel presented their views on the future of culture in Wales before being questioned by the chairwoman Menna Richards, the former director of BBC Cymru Wales.
During the discussion Womack said that an economic value cannot be put on arts and culture and that instead creativity should be viewed as an economic resource.
As such Jenkins said that the arts should not be seen as an add-on, but as essential, so there was a need to protect jobs.
Victoria Rogers, the museum manager at the Cardiff Story and a trustee at the Welsh Museums Federation, asked what each political party would do in its response to the recommendations of the Expert Review of Local Museum Provision in Wales.
Skates welcomed the findings of the review and supported its recommendations but hesitated when it came to the creation of a national museums’ council as it may be a duplication of existing bodies, some of which have already folded.
There was also discussion around how culture could achieve greater levels of funding by linking up with other government departments, including health and education.
The role of the culture minster, which was downgraded to a deputy role since the last administration, was also the subject of debate.
Sharon Heal, the director of the Museums Association, said she was disapointed that the issue of cultural funding did not feature more prominently in the discussion.
“It was a shame that the crucial question of funding was mainly ducked or ignored by the candidates. Skates said he would try to scope a transformation fund before the election but as purdah has now descended it seems unlikely that there will be any movement until after May," she said in a recent blog post.
“Unfortunately many museums in Wales and England can’t wait for reviews and government responses. Although some museums that were under threat have gained a stay of execution many are still at risk and radical solutions including, if necessary, interventions by government are urgently needed."
The event, which took place at National Museum Cardiff on Monday (4 April), was organised by Creative Cardiff and What Next?Cardiff. Its aim was to increase the profile of arts, culture and heritage ahead of the Welsh Assembly elections.
On the panel were: Ken Skates, the deputy minister for culture, tourism and sport; Suzy Davies, the shadow Welsh culture minister, Welsh Conservatives; Bethan Jenkins, the broadcasting, culture and heritage spokesperson for Plaid Cymru; Amelia Womack, the deputy leader of the Green Party; and Denis Campbell from the Welsh Liberal Democrats.
The panel presented their views on the future of culture in Wales before being questioned by the chairwoman Menna Richards, the former director of BBC Cymru Wales.
During the discussion Womack said that an economic value cannot be put on arts and culture and that instead creativity should be viewed as an economic resource.
As such Jenkins said that the arts should not be seen as an add-on, but as essential, so there was a need to protect jobs.
Victoria Rogers, the museum manager at the Cardiff Story and a trustee at the Welsh Museums Federation, asked what each political party would do in its response to the recommendations of the Expert Review of Local Museum Provision in Wales.
Skates welcomed the findings of the review and supported its recommendations but hesitated when it came to the creation of a national museums’ council as it may be a duplication of existing bodies, some of which have already folded.
There was also discussion around how culture could achieve greater levels of funding by linking up with other government departments, including health and education.
The role of the culture minster, which was downgraded to a deputy role since the last administration, was also the subject of debate.
Sharon Heal, the director of the Museums Association, said she was disapointed that the issue of cultural funding did not feature more prominently in the discussion.
“It was a shame that the crucial question of funding was mainly ducked or ignored by the candidates. Skates said he would try to scope a transformation fund before the election but as purdah has now descended it seems unlikely that there will be any movement until after May," she said in a recent blog post.
“Unfortunately many museums in Wales and England can’t wait for reviews and government responses. Although some museums that were under threat have gained a stay of execution many are still at risk and radical solutions including, if necessary, interventions by government are urgently needed."
