Powys politicians have slammed as "outrageous" plans to cut grant funding for three major arts organisations in the county.

Craig Williams & Russell George, MP & MS for Montgomeryshire respectively,were responding to the news that The Hafren theatre and Mid Wales Opera, along with Radnorshire based dance organisation Impelo, are to have their multi-year funding cut by the Arts Council of Wales from 2024-25.

The ACW will not be granting revenue funding to both The Hafren and Mid Wales Opera when the new scheme comes into practice in April 2024, having supported both organisations for decades.

READ MORE: 'Shock and disappointment' as Arts Council axes funding for Powys culture

The new scheme will see Powys get the second biggest arts funding cuts within Wales; with the county losing more than a quarter of this year’s equivalent funding.

Mr Williams said: “This is an extremely disappointing decision for both The Hafren and Mid Wales Opera, as well as for arts and culture within Montgomeryshire as a whole.

“Both organisations are an integral and invaluable part of Montgomeryshire, and Mid Wales.

"At a time when we are seeking to increase people’s access to Wales’ rich and glorious tradition of music, arts and culture, the decision to cut decades of funding is not only detrimental to both The Hafren and Mid Wales Opera’s futures, but also to the future of arts and culture being readily available throughout Wales.

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“The ACW have themselves admitted they are aware there is a funding gap in North Powys. The decision therefore to cut arts funding for the region by more than a quarter from last year is outrageous and will have deeply worrying and long-lasting repercussions."

The politicians have written to ACW chief executive Dafydd Rhys, Welsh Government Minister for Arts Dawn Bowden MS and Powys County Council Leader Cllr James Gibson-Watt to seek urgent discussions.

“Arts and culture within Wales must be offered not just within the main cities such as Cardiff but across the country," Mr George added.

"It is vital that settings such as Mid Wales continue to provide this for the locality and wider areas.

"Audiences attend The Hafren not just from across Montgomeryshire, but also from West and North Wales and across the border into England; all bringing significant spending into our area.

“Craig and I are very keen to meet with the ACW and Welsh Government Minister as soon as is possible.”