Description
Background and scope
1. Introduction
Arts Council of Wales, through its Business Enabler Team, invites tenders from suitably qualified and experienced research organisations to undertake a comprehensive study into the business and operational needs of the arts sector in Wales.
This research will play a central role in strengthening the resilience, sustainability, and business capability of organisations and freelancers across the Welsh arts ecosystem.
Important:
This tender excludes any exploration of creative skills or artistic practice. The research must focus exclusively on Business, Operational and Organisational elements that include (but not entirely limited to):
Organisational business capability
Operational systems
Infrastructure
Skills and training needs related to business functions
Forward‑looking business trends and challenges
2. Purpose of the Research
The commissioned research organisation will be expected to deliver robust, evidence‑based insight into:
2.1 Training and Development Needs
Identifying business‑related training requirements for Arts Organisations (including Multi-Year Funded Organisations), Individuals and Freelancers.
2.2 Business and Operational Skills Gaps
Mapping current and future gaps in business and operational skills, including management, governance, operations, finance, HR, planning, compliance, business growth, and digital capability.
2.3 Future Needs and Trends
Exploring emerging opportunities and risks that may impact the sector's sustainability.
2.4 Recommendations
Producing clear, actionable, prioritised recommendations to inform future support interventions delivered by Arts Council of Wales.
3. Scope of Work
The successful bidder will be required to deliver the following workstreams (all work must be delivered bilingually (Cymraeg and English):
3.1 Sector‑Wide Survey
Design and deliver a survey across the arts sector in Wales.
Ensure representation across: artforms, organisation sizes, freelancers, regions, and demographics.
3.2 Engagement with Existing Data Sources
Identify organisations that hold relevant, quality datasets.
Liaise with those organisations to integrate relevant data where permitted.
Avoid duplication of existing research efforts.
3.3 Qualitative Engagement
Conduct interviews, workshops, or focus groups with stakeholders (as required to achieve the Deliverables)
Ensure balanced representation of the sector’s diversity and geographic spread.
3.4 Analysis & Reporting
Comprehensive analysis of all quantitative and qualitative findings.
Identification of priority needs, risk areas, and future challenges.
Evidence‑based recommendations.
4. Deliverables
4.1 Full Research Report
Including:
Executive Summary
Methodology
Detailed Findings
Analysis of Skills & Operational Gaps
Forward‑looking insights
Recommendations & priority actions
This Document and all associated attachments should be bilingual (Eng / Cym)
4.2 Presentation of Findings
A comprehensive presentation to Arts Council of Wales and relevant stakeholders.
4.3 Data Outputs
Cleaned datasets
These are the final, fully prepared versions of the data collected during the research
Metadata / documentation
This provides a clear explanation of what the data contains and how it should be interpreted
Methodological notes
These explain the research approach used and provide transparency about how the findings were produced
5. Meeting With Up To 3 Applicants
Following tender evaluation, up to three scoring applicants will be invited to a face‑to‑face clarification and presentation meeting with members of the decision panel.
Location: Cardiff
Attendance: At the applicant’s own cost
Format: Presentation + Q&A (30–45 minutes)
Purpose: Final assessment prior to awarding the contract
Further information on the Presentation will be provided to the top three scoring applicants