The purpose of the three month pilot will be to identify the language needs of individuals working in the arts, and find training courses for them to boost their Welsh language skills.

The scheme will be evaluated at the end of the pilot period, to see how successful it was in encouraging those working in the arts sector to use and improve their Welsh.

Dona Lewis, Deputy Chief Executive of the National Centre for Learning Welsh said:

“The work that we’ve already undertaken as part of our ‘Work Welsh/Iaith Gwaith’ programme has shown how working on a sectoral basis can pay real dividends. It is exciting therefore to have this period of cooperation with the Arts Council of Wales to identify the level of interest in the arts sector.”

Nick Capaldi, Chief Executive of Arts Council of Wales said:

“The Welsh language is one of defining characteristics of our culture and identity.  Promoting the language is an Investment in our creativity and diversity, one of the most important goals in the Arts Council’s Corporate Plan, For the Benefit of All. We’re therefore delighted to have this opportunity to cooperate with the Centre to give staff within the arts sector an opportunity to take advantage of their on-line tools to learn Welsh. We hope that during the period of this pilot project, front of house staff in particular, at Wales’ theatres, arts centres and galleries, will be able to take advantage of this opportunity, which will in turn help the public more widely.”
 

The pilot project is being implemented on behalf of Arts Council of Wales by Iaith Cyf. and any arts organisation in Wales who would like to participate in the scheme is invited to contact Siwan Tomos as soon as possible by e-mailing siwan.tomos@iaith.eu

END                                                Tuesday 14 January 2020

Notes to editors

 ‘Work Welsh’ is a scheme for strengthening Welsh language skills in the workplace implemented by the National Centre for Learning Welsh.

Courses for Learning Welsh for beginners are starting in communities across Wales during January – for more information go to learnwelsh.cymru