TEN Powys arts organisations are set to benefit from a grant funding programme of more than half a million pounds, created to support creative industries.

Earlier this year, Powys County Council’s (PCC) arts service was successful in securing £675,000 from the Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF) with the programme focused on supporting resilience, sustainability and transformation within the arts and creative industries in the county.

The grants provide a shot in the arm for the organisations selected, who have been plagued by cuts to other areas of public funding over recent years.

Dance charity Impelo, which covers much of Powys and has a dance centre based in Llandrindod Wells, will be the biggest beneficiary, and is to received more than £100,000.

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Others include Rhayader-based organisations Carad and The Lost Arc, Builth Wells’ Wyeside Arts Centre, the Mid Wales Arts Centre in Caersws, the Mid Wales Opera, Presteigne Festival, Gregynog, Peak Cymru and The Welfare, in Ystradgynlais.

The funding will bring the organisations together in a collaborative peer learning network for the remainder of 2024 so that they can support each other in delivering their projects.

 “The cultural sector in Powys plays a vital role in delivering creativity, education, wellbeing and cultural tourism as well as strengthening the economic life of the county’s communities,” said Councillor David Selby, PCC cabinet member for a Prosperous Powys.

“We recognise the difficulties that the reduction in public funds is having on the arts and we are actively seeking ways to continue to support the sector during these challenging times. 

“The Shared Prosperity Funding that we have successfully secured will enable us to support the arts sector in Powys.

County Times: Impelo's cut in public funding has left question marks over its future. Impelo's cut in public funding has left question marks over its future.

“It was an extremely competitive process with huge demands for the funds. This means that difficult decisions had to be made about which organisations we support.

“I would congratulate those who were successful with their applications and look forward to working with them as we look to develop a resilient and sustainable cultural sector here in Powys.”

For further information about the project, contact project manager Alice Briggs via email at  arts@powys.gov.uk.

County Times: Gregynog Hall, near Tregynon. Gregynog Hall, near Tregynon. (Image: Stephen Mills)

The successful organisations:

  • Impelo (£106,842): The funding will be used to support redefining, remodelling and testing Impelo’s business plan and operations, building and scaling new commercial, charitable and other income to ensure financial sustainability and retention of the workforce.
  • Peak Cymru (£78,401): Peak, based in Abergavenny and Crickhowell, is an organisation which collaborates with young people, artists, and intergenerational communities.  The grant will fund a new alternative economies role to explore diversifying income, and an emerging young person under 30.
  • Mid Wales Opera (£75,906): Founded in 1989, it produces opera across mid Wales. The organisation supports young artists’ career development and this funding will enable MWO to redefine its mission, its business model and its means of funding.
  • The Welfare, Ystradgynlais (£75,129): A vibrant arts charity, funding will create a succession management plan, appoint a new community arts development officer and pilot the Coalfields Community Festival.
  • The Lost Arc (£68,000): The grant will be used to reshape, refocus and reinvigorate through bringing in commercial catering expertise, developing communication and engagement, board governance and volunteer management.
  • Carad (£66,071): The grant will create capacity to implement a new business plan, provide training and support for volunteers, develop new partnerships and a refocussed arts programme in Rhayader.
  • Mid Wales Arts Centre (£56,000): Based in Caersws, this organisation empowers artists by providing support, training, exhibition and enterprise opportunities. The centre will be able to deliver a new strategic vision and provide the team with resources to develop a more sustainable management model.
  • Gregynog (£52,153): An important landmark in the historical and artistic history of Powys, funds will go towards developing an events programme and creating a more resilient commercial model going forward.
  • Presteigne Festival (£51,400): Running for over 40 years, delivering musical innovation, commissioning new work and supporting composers and talented young artists. The grant will provide funds to commission research to understand and remove barriers to attendance, develop a fundraising strategy and refresh the festival website.
  • Wyeside Arts Centre (£45,098): The grant will be used to support transformation of the current business model to build organisational resilience through fundraising and development, additional marketing and audience development.