The Stage

ACE continues Talawa funding after ‘clear’ rescue plan agreed

Published Tuesday 18 October 2005 at 15:15 by Alistair Smith

Arts Council England will continue to fund struggling black theatre company Talawa for at least one more year in the hope that the organisation can start “a positive new chapter” after the collapse of its project to build a £7 million venue in Westminster.

ACE removed its £4 million capital investment from the company in July and also warned that its £475,000 of revenue funding was at threat unless the Talawa board could convince the council that it would stabilise the failing organisation.

However, a spokesperson for ACE has now confirmed revenue funding will continue, at a slightly reduced level of £420,000, until March 2007 and the money could be extended until 2008, depending on Talawa’s performance over the next year.

The spokesperson added: “We had asked Talawa to respond to our concerns relating to artistic, managerial, governance and public benefit issues, and to submit robust plans for change. The company’s response is a clear plan for moving forward which addresses actively our concerns. It sets out a comprehensive board renewal and recruitment of new artistic and executive leadership for the company.

“This has the potential to be a positive new chapter for Talawa, but it will be a challenging year for the company. We will monitor regularly the company’s progress and it remains under notice that funding may be withdrawn in accordance with our published disinvestment policy.”

ACE’s announcement comes soon after Talawa announced that it had started proceedings for a judicial review into the arts council’s decision to withdraw £4 million of funding from its capital project. A spokesperson for the company said that it would only be able to comment further on its reaction to ACE’s decision to extend revenue funding after the next board meeting later this week.