Arts Council of Wales | Cyngor Celfyddydau Cymru

Arts Council of Wales (Cyngor Celfyddydau Cymru), established by Royal Charter in 1994, is the principal national agency championing the arts across Wales, with a mission to place creativity and culture at the heart of Welsh life for enhanced well-being, opportunity, equality, and vibrancy. Guided by values of equality, creativity, inclusion, Welsh language, and climate justice, it aligns with the Well-being of Future Generations Act through its 2024-2034 Strategy, emphasizing sustainable arts practice, audience connections, and a thriving Welsh-language culture. Distinctively, it prioritizes cultural democracy, sector resilience, and transformative action via evidence-led, consultative strategies.

It funds the full spectrum of arts—visual, music, dance, theatre, literature, combined, digital, immersive, traditional, and contemporary—targeting outcomes like community well-being, climate action, equal access, and talent development. Key beneficiaries include artists, freelancers, arts organizations, and audiences in Wales, with strong emphasis on children/young people in deprivation, underrepresented groups, Welsh-language practitioners, and initiatives advancing inclusivity, health (e.g., Arts, Health and Wellbeing), education (Creative Learning Cymru), capital projects, international exchanges (Wales Arts International), and sustainability. Grant types encompass project funding, capacity building, capital (buildings/equipment), networking, and core support for public benefit.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities and community groups based exclusively in Wales (all regions, urban/rural), of any size without income thresholds, provided they demonstrate professional arts engagement, sound governance, and alignment with priorities; unsolicited applications welcome via online portal. Typical grants range £2,500–£75,000 (projects), up to £200,000 (capital), with rolling (e.g., Small Create) or fixed deadlines (e.g., Large Create: 20 Aug 2025; Arts Capital: 2 Jul 2025); decisions in 8-12 weeks. Exclusions: non-Welsh activities, misaligned projects, or non-public benefit work—setting it apart as Wales' bilingual, equity-driven arts leader with statutory mandate for national resilience.