WIREDGOV

The Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, Ken Skates, has praised Swansea for leading the way in planning community projects that allow those living in some of the city’s most deprived areas to reap the benefits of taking part in art, culture and heritage.

The Welsh Government commissioned Baroness Kay Andrews OBE to conduct a review to find out how enabling people to engage in culture can reduce poverty, by developing new skills and raising levels of attainment.

The report, entitled Culture and Poverty, was published in March, making 33 recommendations on how the Welsh Government, local authorities, cultural organisations, community bodies and schools can work together to ensure culture is accessible to all, regardless of their background and where they live.

The Deputy Minister was in Swansea recently, ahead of the publication of the Welsh Government’s response to the report on 11th November, to see the work already underway to improve access to culture for all through the city’s Creative Learning partnership.

This partnership is linking up community groups and Communities First activities with cultural organisations - including the city’s museums - to support adult learning, implementing many of the recommendations made in the Baroness Kay Andrews report.

The Deputy Minister said:

“Baroness Kay Andrew makes a convincing argument in her report for the benefits that participation in arts, culture and heritage can bring – in boosting skills, confidence, self esteem and aspiration. Participation should not be just for those on a certain income or in certain communities, it must be available to all. To enable that to happen she was clear that we need new levels of partnership working at local and national level.

“Tackling poverty is our overriding priority and we are proud of our commitment to overcoming social exclusion and supporting the most disadvantaged members of our communities.

“It’s great to be in Swansea today to see the work already underway here in implementing the reports key recommendations and to see the impact it is already having. There is still much work to be done but Swansea really is a shining example to other areas on the benefits of engaging people with culture to enhance skills and quality of life.”

Cllr Robert Francis-Davies, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Enterprise, Development and Regeneration, said:

“Culture has a critically important role to play in our ongoing battle to reduce poverty across the city. This is why schemes like our Passport to Leisure initiative are in place to ensure everyone, regardless of their background or financial circumstances, has easy access to our museums, galleries, archives, libraries and other cultural attractions.

“But we also recognise that ease of access to culture isn’t just about finance – it’s often about where people live too. This is why we’ve arranged schemes through organisations like the Glynn Vivian Art Gallery and Communities First, to take activities to communities across the city to give people access to culture right on their doorsteps.

“We know that access to cultural activities can often inspire people to seek further learning opportunities and study for qualifications, and that this sometimes leads to finding work. It’s real-life examples of this kind that show why access to culture is so important in our most deprived communities.”

The Welsh Government commissioned Baroness Kay Andrews OBE to conduct a review to find out how enabling people to engage in culture can reduce poverty, by developing new skills and raising levels of attainment.

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