Welsh government announces funding for Anti-racist Wales Action Plan

The Welsh deputy minister for arts and sport, Dawn Bowden has announced £4.5 million of funding over the next three years for the culture heritage and sport actions of the Anti-racist Wales Action Plan.

£2.8 million has been awarded to 22 local, regional, national or independent culture, heritage and sport organisations.

To qualify for funding, projects needed to have a focus on co-production and a commitment to putting lived experience at the centre of policy, service development and delivery.

Recipients of funding include Tŷ Pawb in Wrexham and Monlife Heritage in Abergavenny, which will use the money to improve the interpretation of collections so that they tell their stories honestly, better represent their links to slavery, colonisation and empire and also respect their impact on past and present communities.

Cllr. Sara Burch, Monmouthshire County Council’s cabinet member for Inclusive and Active Communities, said: "We are proud to be part of the Welsh Government’s Anti-Racist Wales Action Plan. Ensuring that our heritage collections are truly representative and reflective of our diverse community is very important.

"We are determined that all Monmouthshire’s places of culture, arts and sport should be inclusive places and reflect the tremendous contribution of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic members of the community. We are grateful for Welsh Government funding that will enable MonLife Heritage in Abergavenny Museum and Chepstow Museum to continue this work."

£1.67 million has also been awarded to the Welsh Government's cultural and transport arm's length bodies.

Funding will be used by Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales, the Arts Council of Wales, the National Library of Wales, the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historic Monuments of Wales and Sport Wales to build on existing and new programmes of activity to accelerate their work on anti-racism at a national level.

Sport Wales will use the funding for the development and delivery of anti-racist training over a three-year period.

Funding for Amgueddfa Cyrmru will be used to provide more cultural programmes and events to be co-designed with community-based organisations, individuals and artists.

Deputy minister for arts and sport, Dawn Bowden said: "Our national and local museums, galleries, libraries, theatres, and sporting venues need to be inclusive of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people and places. Our culture, heritage and sports services must be culturally competent and reflective of the history and contribution made by Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people to Welsh society.

"I am committed to delivering the goals and actions in the Anti-racist Wales Action Plan and the Programme for Government commitments within my portfolio. I look forward to our continued progress as we deliver meaningful change with and for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people across Wales."

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