[North Wales version] Widening access to Wales’ culture: £550,000 to support museums, archives and libraries projects
[Fersiwn Gogledd Cymru] Ehangu mynediad i ddiwylliant Cymru: £550,000 i gefnogi prosiectau amgueddfeydd, archifau a llyfrgelloedd
Seventeen museums, archives and libraries projects across Wales are to benefit from additional funding - helping to deliver on the Welsh Government's Programme for Government commitment to widen access to culture - with over £550,000 being invested in communities across the country.
The funding, awarded through the Welsh Government’s Enhanced Local Culture Sector Support for Museums, Archives & Libraries Grant Programme, will allow projects to continue their activities to the end of March 2027, building on work that is already underway.
North Wales will benefit significantly from this additional funding, with 6 projects across the region set to build on existing successes in culture, heritage and archives.
- In Wrexham, the Partnership Collections Officer project will embed new partnership working between Wrexham Museum and the Royal Welch Fusiliers Museum.
- On Anglesey, the Trysor project will engage new audiences with archaeology and prehistory through enhanced bilingual interpretation and outreach.
- Denbighshire and Flintshire will develop a secondary school transition. programme as part of the Creative Archives Project.
- Flintshire will also develop an Adult Archaeology Club with the Gwella Trust.
- Denbighshire's Schools Outreach Programme will expand beyond Rhyl and Prestatyn to reach more children and families across the county.
- In Gwynedd, additional investment will support Storiel and Culture Gwynedd, alongside Every Child a Library Member and the continued development of LMS Cymru.
Heledd Fychan, Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport, said:
"Museums, archives and libraries are at the heart of our communities, connecting people with their history, their culture and each other. This funding will allow projects right across Wales to build on the fantastic progress they've already made, reaching more people, in more places, with the stories that matter to them.
"I want to thank all the organisations who have worked with us to develop these projects. Their continued commitment to engaging communities, protecting our heritage and widening access to culture is making a real difference, and I'm pleased we're able to support them to extend this vital work through to March next year."
Annabelle Dennis, Project Manager at Herstories in Merthyr Tydfil, said:
“Herstories is just the beginning. By combining the Herstories website with our immersive museum installation, that brings women's portraits and stories to life, we have created a platform that both inspires engagement and preserves history. While visitors can connect with these remarkable women through the immersive experience, the website serves as a lasting digital archive that can continue to grow as new stories are uncovered and shared.
“Together, they ensure that the voices of women from Merthyr Tydfil are not only heard today, but preserved for future generations, so that those who have been overlooked by history are recognised, remembered and never forgotten.”