The Arts Council of Wales has announced the latest projects that will benefit from National Lottery funding through its flagship Create programme.

Dafydd Rhys, Chief Executive of Arts Council of Wales, said:

“We’re proud to support these bold and original projects that reflect the strength of creativity in Wales as part of this latest round of Create funding. Thanks to National Lottery players, we can continue to invest in work that speaks to communities, nurtures talent, and showcases the rich diversity of our arts landscape.”

This latest round celebrates creativity across Wales, with funding awarded to 56 organisations of all sizes – from established arts venues to grassroots community projects.

Catryn Ramasut, Arts Council of Wales’ Director of Arts said

“Together, these projects reflect the breadth and quality of work that the Create fund enables: supporting young people, celebrating the Welsh language and traditions, backing disability-led creativity, and ensuring communities across Wales can access inspiring arts experiences across all genres.”

Here are just some of the organisations and projects set to benefit:

Grand Ambition, a creative collective based at the Swansea Grand Theatre is supporting new writing and development on urgent social themes, while in Powys, Menter Iaith Maldwyn is promoting traditional Welsh dance by training a new network of instructors and mentoring young dancers.

In Wrexham, NEW Sinfonia is nurturing local talent through orchestral performance and community participation, while in Bangor, Frân Wen will reimagine Islwyn Ffowc Elis’s Welsh-language classic Wythnos yng Nghymru Fydd for a contemporary audience.

Projects also highlight the richness of community creativity. Avant Cymru in the Rhondda is giving young people a voice through hip hop and street dance, and Community Music Wales will bring grassroots music-making opportunities to communities across the country. 

Meanwhile, Makers Guild in Wales in Cardiff Bay connects skilled craftspeople with the public through exhibitions and learning, from basketmaking to stained glass.

There is strong support, too, for inclusive and disability-led arts. Hijinx continues to create pioneering performance opportunities with learning disabled and autistic actors, while OPRA Cymru intends to mark the 90th anniversary of Penyberth with a new opera that brings together professional artists and community choirs.