Governance

The Welsh Government is investing £1m over the next five years to support the relaunch of the Urdd’s national youth theatre.

Urdd is Wales’ largest national youth organisation and its theatre, Cwmni Theatr Ieuenctid Cymru, was set up in the 1970s to provide 14 to 19-year olds creative opportunities in Welsh.

The theatre ceased to operate in 2019 but will return to coincide with Urdd’s centenary celebrations this year.

The Urdd Eisteddfod, a national music competition and festival, also returns this year after a three-year hiatus, with free entry after the Welsh Government provided ringfenced funding.

Director of the Urdd Eisteddfod and the Arts Siân Eirian said the youth theatre has offered unique opportunities to thousands of Wales’ youngsters interested in theatre.

“We see the need today more than ever, due to the impact of Covid, to provide equal opportunities and invaluable training for our young adults who want to pursue a career in the arts, and the re-establishment of our youth theatre will offer that at a national level.”
 

The British Museum's board of trustees have received a formal call to reject a new sponsorship deal with BP.

Sent following revelations that Museum Director Hartwig Fischer plans to renew the partnership, Culture Unstained's submission argues trustees must exercise “informed and ethical judgement” of its continued association with the energy company.

The demand is co-signed by eight leading professionals including former Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Chair Robert Watson, and Mark Serwotka, General Secretary of PCS Union, which represents many British Museum workers.

More than 300 people are planning to take part in a protest arranged by BP or not BP? on Saturday, the fourth held at the museum this month.

Culture Unstained Co-Director Chris Garrard says it is vital trustees "fulfil their legal duties".

"If the board does approve a new deal with BP, it would signal that they chose to sidestep their own sustainability policy and dismiss the reputational risks of partnering with a leading fossil fuel producer as the climate crisis worsens."

British Youth Music Theatre has suspended Conservative MP David Warburton as a trustee following allegations of illegal drug use and sexual harassment.

The claims about Warburton, a former music teacher, surfaced in the national press last week.

The charity said he will remain suspended pending the outcome of an investigation: "He hasn't attended any of our events or shows in years," a statement said.

Warburton is a former trustee of Music For Youth and the National Youth Orchestra.

Inclusion and diversity organisation Inc Arts has won four accolades from Anthem Awards.

The awards recognise "purpose and mission driven work". Inc Arts was acknowledged with gold awards for special projects, best strategy, partnership and collaboration and a "medal class" award.

The organisation helped share the experiences of 400 ethnically diverse arts workers with 3,000 senior leaders in the sector during the lockdowns, hosted a conference, Speak-Listen-Reset-Heal, and provided the Unlock toolkit.

CEO Amanda Parker said the work has been hard but has catalysed change at hundreds of UK arts organisations.

"In the darkest of storms, it's great to be seen."