Literature Wales’s leading outreach project has been welcoming the people of South Wales into the wonderful world of art for the last nine years.
South Wales Literature, established in 2007, is a development initiative which, over the course of its lifetime, has engaged with over 35,000 people, held over 900 events and organised 200+ projects.
Philip Jones, South Wales Literature development officer, says: “The main goal of the project is to offer creative activities to individuals who may not have had the opportunity to participate in mainstream arts and culture.”
The initiative has been a huge success, with a recent feature on BBC Wales in celebration of National Poetry Day.
South Wales Literature has a number of impending projects, including events for some of society’s forgotten communities. There is a prominent focus on the arts being “taken to the doorstep”’ of those who wouldn’t otherwise have access to creative activities.
Mental health charity Newport Mind will be holding an event in conjunction with South Wales Literature for Pakistani migrant women. This project, led by poet and printmaker Francesca Kay, will see the participants take part in art, crafts and poetry.
South Wales Literature will also be working alongside children’s charity Barnardo’s to run drama workshops for young carers through a two day event held in Blackwood, Caerphilly.
The range of projects offered by South Wales Literature extends far and wide, from sessions in schools, care homes and libraries, to work experience opportunities and shadowing schemes where less experienced writers are able to interact with and learn from accomplished authors.
Lleucu Siencyn, chief executive of Literature Wales, says: “ Far too many individuals and communities were not engaged so we started several pilot projects…The projects have produced some excellent work and we are keen to roll this out throughout Wales.”