The Communities, Equality and Local Government Committee is undertaking an inquiry into Participation in the Arts. The Committee has heard concerns from a number of organisations that budget cuts in the arts sector may be having a negative effect on participation in the arts among some groups of people. The Committee has therefore established a Task and Finish Group to undertake a short inquiry on this issue. The Committee will:

• assess the impact of budget cuts on participation in the arts in Wales, specifically whether certain groups of people have been affected more than others;
• identify gaps in provision for participation in the arts, both demographically and geographically;
• explore the role of the voluntary arts sector in arts participation and scope alternative funding sources;
• evaluate the policy framework between the Welsh Government and the bodies that distribute arts funding; and
• look at whether arts organisations in Wales are equipped to deliver the equality objectives of their funders.