A total of 22 arts companies are sharing a slice of £4.5m after being awarded “beacon status” by the Arts Council of Wales. Karen Price discovers how five of the recipients will spend the money which is earmarked for specific projects:
Oriel Mostyn, Llandudno
Amount received: £110,000 (over two years)
Background: Oriel Mostyn Gallery in Llandudno, which is currently undergoing major redevelopment work, will use its Beacon Award for its planned re-opening exhibition programme. It will also be used to continue developing Explore, a project involving eight UK galleries in three regional groups working with deaf and disabled people and artists. Oriel Mostyn will also use a substantial portion of the award to mount exhibitions which embody the gallery’s dual commitment to showing the best of Welsh art and bringing some of the best international art to Wales. This will be through two major inaugural exhibitions involving Welsh artists and an artist from Africa and will be a showcase for the work with African artists.
They say: “We are very pleased that Oriel Mostyn’s long track record of showing leading Welsh and international artists has been recognised by this award. The additional funding will mean that when we reopen at the end of next year, we can do so as a world-class art gallery showing world-class exhibitions, accompanied by all sorts of educational activity which everyone in the community can get involved in.” – Martin Barlow, Director of Oriel Mostyn Gallery.
Theatr Iolo, Cardiff
Amount received: £110,000 (over two years)
Background: Cardiff’s Theatr Iolo, which celebrates its 21st birthday this month, will be using its award to develop its education programme for children. The company plans to collaborate with the Consol Theater in Germany to develop a new play by award-winning playwright, Charles Way, where Welsh and German schools will also have the chance to collaborate and share ideas. Theatr Iolo is also working on the creation of a dance-theatre piece with former Creative Wales artist, Jem Treays, developing ideas from Monteverdi’s Orpheus et Euridice. Emerging theatre artists will also have the opportunity to develop ideas under the mentorship of Theatr Iolo’s artistic director, Kevin Lewis.
They say: “We are particularly thrilled that the Beacon Award will enable us to support the development of projects with new artists in the field of children and young people’s theatre.” – Theatr Iolo’s artistic director, Kevin Lewis.
Theatr Mwldan, Cardigan
Amount: £120,000 (over two years)
Background: Theatr Mwldan in Cardigan will use the additional money to help continue investment in its slate of production projects and tours. The Beacon Award will ensure that two planned production projects for 2008-09 and 2009-10 will now go ahead: the 15-date Catrin Finch and Cimarron tour of Wales in March 2009 and a tour in May 2009 by the Palestinian trio, Le Trio Joubran. In addition, Mappa Mundi Theatre Company’s extensive touring production of She Stoops To Conquer for spring 2009 and autumn 2009 will be supported by the additional Beacon Award funding. Theatr Mwldan will also be able to invest further in its existing company infrastructure and invest in new employment in production and project management and project marketing.
They say: “The Beacon Award is such fantastic news for Theatr Mwldan. We will use the award to continue our recent successes with production and touring projects across a range of art forms – projects that will tour to a wide variety of theatres and arts centres across Wales, the UK and, in some cases internationally. The Beacon Award will enable Theatr Mwldan’s prolific contribution, via the Arts Outside Cardiff scheme, to the performing arts production and touring ecology of Wales to continue at the level established over the past three years.” – Dilwyn Davies, Director of Theatr Mwldan.
Oriel Davies, Newtown
Amount: £110,000 (over two years)
Background: Oriel Davies Gallery in Newtown will use the £110,000 to build on its international relationships with a view to building a long-term exchange programme enabling the venue to show Wales-based artists abroad and bring international art to Mid Wales, with a particular focus on building partnerships with Galicia, Brittany and Northern Italy. Oriel Davies will also use its Beacon funding to commission artists to make new work and to develop off-site projects in Newtown and other locations in North Powys.
They say: “This will enable the gallery to develop its work both internationally and within Mid Wales, and will provide exciting new opportunities for artists, audiences and participants over the next two years.” – Amanda Farr, Oriel Davies’s Director.
Valleys Kids, Rhondda
Amount: £110,000 (over two years)
Background: The pioneering Flight Wings and Artworks programmes from Valleys Kids will be given a boost following the award. The projects provide career development opportunities for the 16 to 25-year-old age group in the South Wales valleys. Following the award, Valleys Kids is now able to really develop its 16-plus work, which is critical to its continued development, and to offering young people in the Valleys career and leisure pathways to a successful future. When Artworks first began, its role was to work with young people in three areas of Rhondda Cynon Taf, all of which are now Community First areas. Ten years on many of the young people have returned to formal education with support from Valleys Kids. The Beacon funding will allow Valleys Kids to employ a 16-25 worker and offer an apprenticeship post on a two-year rolling programme to allow a recent graduate or a young person with an interest in the work to find that crucial first step on the ladder.
They say: “This prestigious award sends a clear signal to the young people in the Valleys that their work is recognised and supported by the whole of Wales and beyond. The award will allow us to launch Flight Wings, a scheme which offers mentoring, training and support to young people, alongside developing hands-on projects.” – Miranda Ballin, Valleys Kids’ ArtWorks Coordinator.
by Karen Price, Western Mail