Flying the flag for high quality arts experiences in Wales

Last week the Wales Creative Industries Academy was launched at the University of South Wales, based in Cardiff. This is an incredibly exciting new collaboration between the University of South Wales and all Further Education (FE) colleges in Wales. And what’s even more exciting, Arts Award Gold is at the heart of it!

The Wales Creative Industries Academy has been set up to provide additional opportunities, teaching and guidance for young people identified as ‘more able and creatively talented’ amongst their peers. The first cohort includes young people, aged 16-19, from a range of artistic disciplines and backgrounds. We have been working with the Welsh Development Agency CCSkills to support the Arts Award side of the Academy and are thrilled to see it off the ground.

As a taster of the sort of incredible opportunities these young people will have access to, they received a lecture from BBC’s Head of Innovation, Robin Moore – who knows, the next Dr Who set or costume designer may very well have been in that room!

We are particularly excited that Arts Award Gold will form a core component of the Academy. Throughout the next 12 months or so young people will take part in arts activities, have workshops and training opportunities that enable them to complete their Arts Award. This will not only provide the participants with additional skills and knowledge of the arts sector but will also ensure that they develop a portfolio of work, ready to support them when they start to apply for creative courses or apprenticeships. And the additional 16 UCAS points probably don’t hurt either! College staff from the participating 11 FE colleges have been trained as Arts Award advisers at Gold level, ensuring that every Welsh college has a fantastic opportunity to become part of the wider Arts Award community. We can’t wait to see the outcome of these young people’s journey and the opportunities that are set to come their way.

Good luck to all involved!