£4.4m extra Welsh Labour Government funding for arts, culture and publishing

Today [Friday 21 February], the Welsh Labour Government has announced an extra £4.4 million to support the arts, culture and publishing sectors in Wales.

Included in the Final Budget 2025-26, the new Welsh Labour Government funding brings the total allocation for arts, culture, heritage and sport to £122.5m – representing an 8.5% increase for the sector on last year’s revenue budget.

This latest commitment builds upon the £1 million of additional in-year funding provided to the sector at the tail end of 2024-25, which supported 60 cultural organisations across Wales through the Arts Council of Wales, on top of the £5 million funding boost announced in September.

Both the UK and Welsh Labour Governments have shown their commitment to supporting Welsh arts and cultural organisations. Earlier this week the UK Labour Government also committed to £10 million of Levelling Up funding for Venue Cymru in Llandudno, after the last Conservative government promised the funds but failed to put pounds behind their promises.

Two Labour Governments are working in partnership to deliver for the people of Wales.

Jack Sargeant, Minister for Culture, Skills and Social Partnership, said:

“Wales is world-renowned for its artistic and cultural contributions, and today’s significant extra investment demonstrates this Welsh Labour Government’s commitment to the sector.

“We are under no illusions about the challenges faced by many of our museums, theatres and cultural spaces after years of Conservative cuts and austerity, and we are doing all we can to move towards a more secure and sustainable footing, with this Budget being a significant step forward.”