National Theatre Wales Transitions to TEAM Organization

National Theatre Wales (NTW) has officially ceased to exist following the loss of its £1.6 million annual funding from Arts Council Wales, which was cut in 2023 as part of a restructuring plan. The theatre will transition into a new organization called TEAM, focusing on grassroots community engagement and education in the arts. Naomi Chiffi, head of collaboration at NTW, described the closure as 'devastating' and acknowledged that the company had stopped listening to its community's needs. Critics, including Conservative politicians, have condemned the Arts Council for prioritizing funding for controversial initiatives over supporting the national theatre, which has contributed significantly to Welsh culture since its inception in 2009. Chiffi emphasized the importance of listening to communities and expressed hope that TEAM will create opportunities for artistic expression among underrepresented groups. The full relaunch of TEAM is expected in 2025, marking a new chapter for arts engagement in Wales.