THE ARTISTIC Director of Gwent Theatre has this week addressed an inquiry in to the impact of the Arts Council of Wales investment review which saw funding to the theatre cut.

Gary Meredith gave evidence at the Communities and Culture Committee for the National Assembly for Wales 'inquiry entitled 'Accessibility of Arts and Cultural Activities across Wales.'

Speaking before the inquiry Mr Meredith said, "I will be bringing up a number of issues relating to the Arts Council's decision including the meetings which happened over two consecutive days where it was decided to make the cuts.

"I have a copy of the minutes but it does not tell you anything, it's so vague. It doesn't tell you how the decision was arrived at and it looks as if these meetings were to rubber stamp the decision. But, of course I have no way of proving that.

Mr Meredith had also submitted a report prior to the meeting outlining the work Gwent Theatre and Gwent Young People's Theatre do with schools and the community.

The report said, "Withdrawal of revenue funding will effectively destroy more than 30 years of work, relationships and networks that have been developed by the company with schools, communities, local authorities and other agencies.

"It will inevitably lead to the loss of theatre provision for schools in the Greater Gwent Area, one of the most deprived and densely populated areas in Wales."

The Monmouthshire arts community were been rocked in July by the news that three leading organisations lost their funding from The Arts Council of Wales.

The decision means not just a reduction in the £250,000 received by Gwent Theatre's funding, but a cut to zero funding in the coming year, putting the survival of the 30-years-old theatre company in doubt.

Conservative AM for South Wales East, William Graham will challenge the Heritage Minister over Gwent Theatre funding during an Assembly Plenary next week.

He said, "I am perplexed by the Arts Council of Wales decision to completely withdraw funding for Gwent Theatre; which places in jeopardy the future of Theatre in Education to the Greater Gwent area.

"For over 30 years this Theatre Company has served Monmouthshire, Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Newport and Torfaen, some of the areas of highest deprivation in Wales, offering many children the only opportunity they will have to experience live theatre".

 "In the last academic year (2009/2010) they delivered 220 performances to 14,213 young people in 219 schools.

 "It is acknowledged that such theatrical activities inspire increased interest by school pupils right across the curriculum; notably in creative writing, reading, the visual arts, history and politics.

"The enthusiasm to participated in the dramatic arts is illustrated by their highly acclaimed Gwent Young People's Theatre, which last year produced seven productions, with 5183 youth theatre attendances and audience figures of 1,794.

 "It is vital that we support establishments like the Millennium Centre and Welsh National Opera; but it is equally vital that support is given to those organisations, like Gwent Theatre, who ignite and then nurture an interest in the arts in our children.

"We need a full debate on arts funding; it is not in the future interests of the arts in Wales totally withdraw funding for Theatre in Education for any region of Wales".