THE UNIVERSITY OF WALES TRINITY ST DAVID has been announced as one of the four new Regional Arts and Education Networks in the major innovative Arts Council of Wales and Welsh Government project – Creative Learning through the Arts – an action plan for Wales.
These Networks are at the heart of Creative Learning through the Arts – the five year arts and education action plan and will deliver one of the major strands – The All-Arts and Education Offer.
The successful consortia are:
Mid and West Wales: consortium led by University of Wales Trinity Saint David
North Wales: consortium led by Flintshire County Council
Central/South Wales: consortium led by Arts Active Trust
South East Wales: consortium led by Caerphilly Borough Council
The four Regional Arts and Education Networks will be drawn on the same boundaries as the existing Regional Education Consortia. These Networks will work with schools, the Regional Education Consortia, local authorities and stakeholders in the education, arts, creative, cultural and heritage sectors in these four regions. They will increase and improve arts experiences and opportunities in schools by building bridges between the education sector and arts practitioners,; arts, culture and heritage organisations and providers; and venues such as museum, libraries and archives.
To increase and improve arts experiences and opportunities for children and young people, the All-Wales Arts and Education Offer will provide schools greater access to professional artists and arts organisations, to enhance and complement their teaching. To ensure that schools benefit fully from participating in the programme, they will be asked to nominate a senior member of staff to take the role of School Creativity and Arts Champion, who will be the link between their school and the opportunities available through the regional network.
Each network will receive between £175,000 and £250,000 for a full year’s activity in each year of the five year programme.
Minister for Education and Skills, Huw Lewis said: “The Arts have the potential to capture a young person’s imagination and unleash their creativity. I want all learners across Wales, regardless of their background or personal circumstances, to have access to high quality arts and creative experiences.
“Today’s announcement is great news. I’m sure the four Regional Arts and Education Networks will play an important role in improving the opportunities for our young people so that they can enjoy the many benefits that the Arts have to offer.
“This project will play a valuable part in enhancing the creative arts through the education system in Wales which, in turn will support the principles of Professor Graham Donaldson’s report Successful Futures. This acknowledges the role that the arts play in providing inspiration and motivation for learners, giving them contact with the creative processes, performances and products of others and stimulating their own experimentation and creativity.”
Diane Hebb, Director of Participation and Engagement, Arts Council of Wales said: “We want to see all children have access to the arts regardless of where they live and go to school. Creative and cultural education gives our young people the enriching experiences they need at an early age while also developing the talent and creative thinking that is powering Wales’ creative industries. We need to do as much as we can to support creative and cultural education through initiatives such as this. Better partnership working and a more strategic approach is key and we look forward to seeing the results of this vital new addition to the scheme. We are delighted with the proposals that came forward and excited about working with the consortia.”
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