Long overdue upgrade for art and culture in Welsh Government

What does the cabinet reshuffle mean for Welsh art and culture?

As the good doctor would say, there is some good news and some bad news. But the scales may tip in either direction depending on a series of tests forthcoming. With the swearing in of new First Minister for Wales Vaughan Gething, we have his cabinet reshuffle, and the moving on of the right honourable Dawn Bowden from the deputy ministerial role of deputy minister for art, culture, sport, long distance relationships, that dress that went viral in 2015 that people couldn’t decide was blue and black or white and gold, and Things That Go Bump in the Night. Bowden was something of a controversial figure who seemed wilfully oblivious to the ongoing turmoil found in the arts in Wales currently. (She once said in a television interview that she had not received a single correspondence from anyone in the arts saying that things were worryingly precarious at the moment, forgetting for a moment the email I had sent her, and that her office had responded to, on this very subject a few weeks before). In a spirit of generosity, I would say it is a good thing that somebody else is being given a crack of the whip.

In comes Lesley Griffiths from Rural Affairs (a government department rather than an Evelyn Waugh novel). And the role has changed. For the first time in a long time culture has been upgraded to a full ministerial responsibility, and although Vaughan Gething didn’t mention art and culture once in his leadership manifesto, this lift is most definitely A GOOD THING. Griffiths is now Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice. Big remit, but art and culture is once again being represented at the top table.

But, not so good news, Griffiths’ portfolio is probably as substantial as those heady days when Ken Skates had to have patio doors put on his office so that he could fit his job title on the plaque.

Here is Griffiths’ list of responsibilities:

• Culture and the arts

• Broadcasting and media policy

• Sponsorship and remit of the Arts Council of Wales

• The historic environment in Wales

• Cadw and the Royal Commission on Ancient and Historical Monuments

• National Museums and Galleries of Wales

• Local museums and collections

• National Library of Wales

• Development of a National Archive for Wales

• National Botanic Garden of Wales

• Elite Sport

• Community sport, physical activity and active recreation in Wales, including sponsorship of the Sports Council for Wales

• Co-ordination of cross-cutting measures to promote prosperity and tackle poverty

• Co-ordination of measures to mitigate Child Poverty

• Digital Inclusion

• Oversight of the distribution of Lottery funding within Wales

• Welfare Reform

• Fuel Poverty

• Financial inclusion, including credit unions

• Equality and Human Rights

• Co-ordination of issues relating to Gypsies, Roma and Travellers, Asylum-seekers, refugees and community cohesion

• Anti-slavery, domestic abuse, gender-based violence and sexual violence

• The Voluntary sector and volunteering

• Youth Justice and Female Offending blueprints

• Community Safety

• Relations with the Police and Crime Commissioners, Police and other Criminal Justice agencies

• Relations with UK government in respect of Prisons and the Probation Service

• Advice and Advocacy Services

• Lead responsibility for monitoring Post Office and Royal Mail matters in Wales

• Public appointments policy and implementation

• Relationship with the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, Children’s Commissioner for Wales, and Future Generations Commissioner for Wales.

• National implementation of the Well-being of Future Generations framework, including Well-being of Future Generations National Stakeholder Fora and oversight of relationship with Public Bodies under the WFG Act.

If you don’t think Wales needs more elected representatives after looking at that list then you must have a screw loose. Could we do with better representatives? Always.

As I have written before several times, the arts and culture sector of Wales is currently feeling very beleaguered, with many talking of an incoming Dark Ages. Funding is thin on the ground, and many might argue it’s not getting where it should be getting anyway, institutions are being cut to the bone and then some, brilliant artists are turning away in droves for other countries and other careers. But here is a chance for a new run at it. A new minister, and, most importantly, it’s been upgraded. Perhaps the future is not quite so bleak as many thought it might be.

Gary Raymond is a novelist, author, playwright, critic, and broadcaster. In 2012, he co-founded Wales Arts Review, was its editor for ten years. His latest book, Abandon All Hope: A Personal Journey Through the History of Welsh Literature is available for pre-order and is out in May 2024 with Calon Books.