News of CPR Appeal 1st May 2008 in summary: whilst the Panel acknowledged that ACW (Arts Council of Wales) recognises and values the quality of CPR’s work, the appeal was not upheld, essentially as ACW has insufficient funding to support all the organisations it wishes to support.The formal Hearing for CPR’s Appeal was held last Thursday on 1st May in Hospitality Box No 46 at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff (from there was a very good view of the ‘pitch’). The purpose of the Hearing - where representatives from CPR and ACW were each invited to present to an independent panel - was not to judge the merits or demerits of ACW’s decision to withdraw revenue funding from CPR but to consider whether the Arts Council had arrived at its decision in a procedurally correct and fair manner. Whilst obviously a nerve-racking experience given so much rested on it, spirits and courage were much enlivened by the recurrent broadcasts of the national anthem for stadium tour groups, and we were genuinely grateful for the Panel Chairman’s cordiality and humour to put us at ease in assuring us that it had been agreed that we needn’t stand each time the anthem was played. It was difficult to be detached given our emotional involvement in the event, but we were nevertheless appreciative of the interesting dramaturgies playing both inside and ‘outside the box’. We concluded CPR’s statement by saying: “In respect of the focus on deficiency necessitated in formal appeal by the restrictions of ACW’s appeal procedure rules, we wish you to know that our preference would have been to appeal in more positive terms of proficiency; whereby the competences of both ACW and CPR are fully utilised to work together through these current difficulties to realise the aims of innovation, internationalism and excellence prioritised in ACW’s draft strategies. As a mature and experienced organisation, CPR recognises that funding organisations need to review both their policies and client portfolios and develop new strategic frameworks. However, we consider it deeply regrettable that, having conducted the current budget-saving exercise through such process of attrition and disregard, ACW’s ‘misunderstanding’ of its client has now brought funder and ‘advocacy’ body [ACW] and its client [CPR] into the current formal state of opposition rather than ‘constructive or creative dialogue’; a ‘lose/lose’ stasis that benefits neither party - privately nor publicly… it is necessary to work now… in good faith and trust to ensure a ‘win/win’ outcome - whatever that may be - for both parties involved”. CPR has now received notice of the Appeal Panel’s decision not to uphold the Appeal as in summary the Panel were satisfied that the process undertaken by the Arts Council of Wales was sufficiently robust to come to a reasonable judgement given the difficult financial circumstances it faced. We note that the Panel concluded with the recommendation that [as] the Arts Council commends the quality of the work of CPR, the Arts Council should initiate discussions with CPR with minimum delay to examine other sources of funding for CPR. “Time is now running out. We trust the Arts Council will therefore without any delay initiate constructive and creative dialogue to ‘manage this process and secure CPR’s future’. We trust also that the Arts Council - who have during this process cited CPR’s ‘fantastic history’, praised the ‘richness’ and ‘fertility’ of the organisation, and constantly cited how ACW wishes the work to continue - will therefore consider extending the disinvestment period beyond the minimum, that is beyond July, so that there is actually a practicable possibility of securing other funding and retaining staff to secure it. We trust furthermore that the Arts Council will not ignore or dismiss the views and groundswell of support for CPR from around Wales and from around the world. And so - at this stage - we must believe and keep faith that if it is the case that CPR and the Arts Council are both victims of underfunding then there might be the possibility of putting the word ‘together’ appositely in this sentence. “ Judie Christie, Creative Producer of CPR We extend again our sincere thanks and appreciation for all the support received from well-wishers so far, and regretfully reiterate our request for support in our campaign to save CPR, either by petition or letter, as below. Save CPR Petition: http://www.gopetition.com/online/17052.html Letters of Support: http://www.centreforperformanceresearch.blogspot.com/ Your support is greatly encouraging and much appreciated. |
| Centre for Performance Research web site: www.gopetition.com/online/17052.html |
| Judie Christie e-mail: |
Friday, May 9, 2008 |
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