Arts

The Arts Division is situated at the Civic Centre. It is part of the Arts, Culture and Tourism Service, which in turn forms part of the Regeneration Department. It comprises one full time post – Arts Development Officer.

Mission Statement

The Arts in Merthyr Tydfil will be central to community development and regeneration in the County Borough, seeking to make the arts accessible and understandable to the people of the area being both active and proactive in each individual part of the County Borough and in doing so will compliment the County Borough Council’s Vision and Aims particularly in the fields of Leisure, Lifelong Learning and Economic Regeneration.

The Vision

By 2012 there will be an awareness of the arts across the County Borough both in terms of provision and the potential provision available to anyone who wishes to access the service without discrimination on grounds of age, ethnicity, income, gender or ability. There should be an integral arts programme that compliments and supplements the various area partnerships, providing opportunities for all people to participate both as ‘performers’ and spectators and supporting groups and individuals in their work and leisure time.

Above all an arts culture should be created so as to celebrate and promote the wealth of local talent, developing new talent and expanding horizons so that people can feel that they too deserve the kind of facilities and programmes that exist in so many other areas of Wales and the wider world.

By 2012 the Arts in Merthyr Tydfil will have the following:

• A non-elitist arts culture that meets the need and wishes of all community members
• An increase in the number of professional companies / performances in Merthyr Tydfil
• An increase in the number of people being trained in the use / delivery of the arts
• An increase in the number of exhibitions and community performances
• Active community arts groups covering a wide geographical and art form spread
• A mature arts attending audience
• A secure and vibrant arts team based at both at the Civic Centre and in various communities

Why The Arts?

The arts are exploratory, they are intrinsic to daily life, and we are all in some way touched by them whether this be seeing an attractive painting on the walls of a doctor’s surgery or being lifted by a favourite song on the radio or relaxing watching a film in the cinema. Even if we are not aware of it, the arts impact upon our lives, emotions and even our social interaction without us thinking about it. They can also be ways in which we express ourselves, escape from mundane tasks, communicate with others or develop a sense of identity. The arts therefore encompass, but are not exclusively the following forms:

• Visual arts – photography, film, sculpture, painting etc.
  
• Drama – theatre, pantomimes etc.
  
• Dance – ballet, jazz, disco, contemporary, physical theatre, tap etc.
  
• Literature – creative writing, poetry, storytelling, journalism etc.
  
• Craft – applied arts, pottery and ceramics, glass-wear, leatherwear,  textiles, jewellery, work in wood, metal, stone carving etc. Plus hobbie crafts.
  
• Music – songwriting, playing instruments individually or in groups, singing, choirs, rock bands, music technology, DJ mixing etc.
  

For further information and details please contact the Arts Division. 

 (01685) 725382

Whats New

• 02/09/10 - How to make a bid
• 02/09/10 - August 2010
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