Most people were against assembly government control of arts funding

In an ICM poll, only 22% of people said they wanted the assembly government to take over direct funding of the arts.

Some 56% wanted the Arts Council of Wales (ACW) to continue funding and developing the arts.

The survey followed a defeat for Labour, which had tried to take over responsibility for arts funding.

Culture Minister Alun Pugh had announced plans to take control of funding for Welsh National Opera, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Diversions dance group, Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Academy and the National Theatre of Wales away from the ACW.

His proposal followed the 2004 announcement that the assembly government would take over many of the duties of a number of Wales' unelected culture, sport and countryside bodies - or quangos - including the ACW.

Alun Pugh planned to adopt direct control of funding of six arts bodies

But opposition parties and two independent AMs united to defeat Labour and passed an amendment instructing the assembly government to hold a public review of the funding of arts groups.

The new poll suggests that the majority of people agree with the principle of "arm's-length" funding of the arts.

It also suggests that people from middle-class backgrounds are more likely to visit arts events than those from working-class backgrounds.

A total of 80% of those polled said that they had been to at least one arts-based event in their lifetime.

But of that figure, 56% had not been to a single arts event in the last year and just 4% said they went 10 times or more in the past year.

Theatre was the most popular arts activity, followed by art galleries and craft fairs.

A total of 40% thought arts events were overpriced, while 30% believed the cost was fair.

The Welsh Assembly Government has never proposed directly funding the entire arts sector, only our six national companies Alun Pugh, Culture Minister

Only one in seven of those asked were aware of the arts funding issue, although among those with high attendance records, that figure rose to 24%.

In reaction to the findings, Mr Pugh said: "The figures in the ICM poll make interesting reading and it is an useful addition to our evidence base.

"It is interesting to read that there is substantial disquiet concerning fairness of funding in different areas of Wales.

"I would like to restate that we have no plans to abolish the Arts Council for Wales, and expert advice from the arts sector will inform government policy.

"The Welsh Assembly Government has never proposed directly funding the entire arts sector, only our six national companies."

Changing Culture - The Future of the Arts in Wales is screened on BBC 1 Wales on Wednesday at 2240 GMT.