Funding supports digitisation, partnership working and specialist appointments across Wales as part of £9m cultural investment package.
The Welsh Government has awarded £1.9m to 15 projects that will build capacity in local museums, archives and library services across Wales, funding additional specialist expertise including curators, librarians and archivists.
The projects, announced on Monday 22 December as part of an £8.94m cultural investment package, will improve public access, digitise local history collections and use technology and outreach to deepen community engagement.
Funded initiatives include a national archives project led by Torfaen County Borough Council on behalf of Gwent Archives and the Archives and Records Council Wales. The Archifau Cymru Byw project aims to breathe life into historical records across Wales. Denbighshire and Flintshire County Councils will relocate their joint North East Wales Archives service through the NEWA Creative Archives project.
Newport City Council will create a local history digitisation project with a geocaching app, whilst Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council’s project will improve public engagement and collections access across the authority’s museums and libraries. Monmouthshire County Council’s Monlife service will deliver a project titled From Vault to View, focusing on collaborative archiving for public access.
Collections-focused projects include Swansea Council’s natural history collection storytelling project and Anglesey County Council’s initiative to engage audiences with the recently expanded archaeology collection at Oriel Môn. Wrexham County Borough Council will pilot new ways for museums to work in partnership through a Partnership Collections Officer post.
A further £900,000 in grant funding for local museums, archives and libraries services will be available for allocation until autumn 2026.
The Welsh Government has increased its spending for the broader culture sector by 8.5% this year and tripled investment in venues and sites compared to a decade ago. The announcement builds upon £11 million in capital grants awarded over the past six months since launching its Priorities for Culture initiative.
The wider £8.94, investment package includes almost £2.2 million for the Arts Council of Wales’ Strategic Capital Investment Fund, which has already supported 40 projects including Wales Millennium Centre, Sherman Theatre, Aberystwyth Arts Centre and Torch Theatre. Welsh National Opera will receive £767,000 via Arts Council of Wales to support ongoing work towards financial sustainability.
The National Botanic Garden of Wales will receive £250,000 to support projects improving sustainability and the visitor experience, including restoration of the Great Glass House and its collections. The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama will receive £2 million to safeguard its future as Wales’ only higher education provider delivering conservatoire performing arts training.
A further £1.87m has been allocated for the redevelopment of Theatr Clwyd to support asbestos discovery and quality furniture and equipment, subject to conditions. This takes total Welsh Government investment in the Theatr Clwyd project to £25.37 million since 2022-23.
Minister for Culture, Jack Sargeant, said the investment “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.”
Dafydd Rhys, Chief Executive of Arts Council of Wales, said the investment “will bring lasting benefits to communities across Wales, and we look forward to continuing our work with the arts sector to ensure inspiring, high-quality arts experiences are available throughout Wales.”
