Equity, the performing arts and entertainment union, has welcomed this week’s boost to the Welsh culture sector — including a 30% cut in business rates for venues, a share of £10 million in capital investment for arts organisations, and positive comments from the Culture Minister on artificial intelligence — while cautioning that the workforce also needs investment as part of a long-term plan for sustainable creative careers in Wales.
Rates cut and £10m arts capital
On Tuesday, the Welsh Government announced a permanent 30% reduction in business rates for hospitality and leisure venues — including theatres, cinemas, clubs and music venues — for properties with a rateable value of less than £51,000. It is intended to take effect from 1 April 2027, subject to Senedd approval.
The Arts Council of Wales and Welsh Government also announced 58 successful organisations in the first phase of the Arts Capital Investment Fund, supporting improvements to cultural buildings, equipment and accessibility. A further £2 million funding round has opened, bringing Welsh Government arts capital investment this year to £10 million.
Minister recognises insecurity and AI risks
Speaking in Plenary, Culture Minister Heledd Fychan emphasised the need for a strategic approach to supporting music and nurturing talent, saying: “You need a strategy, you need investment, you need collaboration.”
Earlier, appearing before the Senedd’s Culture Committee, she acknowledged workforce insecurity, describing people “who are doing amazing work, but perhaps can’t stay in an industry because of that uncertainty”. On AI, she said it was “a cause of concern to see jobs being lost because of AI”, identifying the new Creative and Culture Forum as a place to hear directly about workforce challenges.
Curtis: cultural powerhouse needs a secure workforce
Simon Curtis, Equity’s National Official for Wales, said:
“This week’s announcements are welcome news. Reducing costs for venues and investing in the spaces and companies where our members work can help protect cultural provision and create opportunities across Wales.”
He warned:
“However, Wales cannot build a cultural powerhouse on an insecure workforce. These announcements must be matched by a long-term commitment to the people who create our cultural life. A refurbished theatre or venue needs the resources to commission and stage work, pay people properly and sustain creative careers.”
Curtis said the Minister was right to recognise that uncertainty can force talented people out of the industry, and welcomed concern about jobs being lost to AI.
“Those concerns need to shape funding and commissioning, with informed consent, transparency and fair payment when technology uses our members’ work or likeness.”
AI protections via TAC agreement
He added that Equity was proud to have secured AI protections through the TAC/Equity agreement for members working in Welsh-language television:
“That is collective bargaining delivering practical protection for performers, and it gives us something concrete to build on.”
Curtis said members need fair pay, protection from exploitation and the confidence that they can build a sustainable career in Wales.
“A ten-year vision needs a long-term funding strategy and clear measures of what changes for the workforce, and we look forward to progressing our members’ interests in social partnership with Welsh Government and employers.”
Equity is developing proposals for a funded Cultural Workforce Strategy as part of its response to the Welsh Government’s call for evidence, connecting long-term cultural investment with fair pay, income security, training and sustainable careers — including protection against the unauthorised use of performers’ voices, images and work through AI.
