Four local authorities have collaborated to create a new organisation, ‘Head for Arts’, which has been selected by the Welsh Heritage Ministry to lead the development of community arts in the Heads of the Valleys Eastern area. Blaenau Gwent, Merthyr Tydfil, Torfaen and Caerphilly will supplement the £125,000 budget with in-kind support to target disadvantaged individuals and communities.
The local authorities say they have developed good practice, but have hitherto been unable to sustain core programmes and consistent activity. Peter Tyndall, Chief Executive of the Arts Council of Wales, said that the investment would bring “pleasure and enjoyment, but will also help people and communities to grow in confidence, develop skills and drive regeneration”. The funding, initially for one year, will also enable partnership working with other local, regional and national community providers, including the Welsh Assembly Government’s Heads of the Valleys Programme and the Welsh European Funding Office.