Cultural services in Wales are to be “transformed” by an £8.94 million injection from government.
Museums, archives, libraries and more will benefit from the support, which includes nearly £2.2m specifically for the Arts Council of Wales’ Strategic Capital Investment Fund.
Welsh National Opera is to receive £767,000 from the scheme, targeted at putting it on a path towards a “sustainable and positive future”.
The organisation has in recent years weathered financial constraints that saw it propose cuts to its chorus, strenuously opposed by performers’ trade unions and later abandoned.
Redevelopment plans and ensuring longevity
Specific beneficiaries of the funding include Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. The conservatoire is to enjoy a boost of £2m, intended to protect the “continuation of a high-quality performance-based music and drama provision”.
It comes a year after the conservatoire admitted to significant financial pressures, in keeping with its contemporaries across the higher education sector.
The National Botanic Garden of Wales is to put its earmarked £250,000 in part towards a restoration of its Great Glass House, while Theatr Clwyd receives £1.87m towards its redevelopment, to support asbestos discovery and the acquisition of quality furniture and equipment.
In the world of museums, archives, and libraries, meanwhile, £1.9m has been directed towards 15 projects designed to embed “improvements to public access, digitise local history collections and use technology and outreach to deepen community engagement.”
Funding for a sector ‘clear about the pressures it faces’
The package of support follows on from a previous £11m offered in capital grants over the last six months by the Welsh government, as part of its Priorities for Culture plan.
Minister for Culture Jack Sargeant said: “This is another significant investment in Welsh cultural institutions and reaffirms my belief that our museums, archives and libraries are not optional extras but essential cultural foundations.
“These projects will not only improve access to museums, archives and libraries but will foster collaboration, preserve local history and strengthen engagement, learning and participation across communities.”
Sargeant continued: “This £8.94million investment will provides vital capacity for a sector that has been clear about the pressures it faces, whilst giving the support required to deliver our shared priorities and ambitions within the Priorities for Culture.”