Creative Learning Cymru is proud to unveil an exciting new chapter in its mission to place creativity at the heart of education, following Arts Council of Wales’s recent successful application to the Curriculum for Wales grant support programme.

Funded through a £3m investment by Welsh Government, match-funded by National Lottery funding distributed by the Arts Council of Wales, the £6m three-year programme will run until March 2028. Building on a decade of impact and innovation in creative learning through the arts, the new Creative Learning Cymru programme will support schools across Wales to reimagine curriculum learning and experiences, deepen engagement, and unlock learner potential through bold, creative approaches.

Programme Manager Sian James from the Arts Council of Wales said, 

“This new initiative comes at a pivotal moment in Welsh education, aligning closely with the ambitions of the Curriculum for Wales. Through targeted grant funding, bespoke professional learning, and collaboration with creative professionals, we want schools to be empowered to develop imaginative, inclusive, and enquiry-driven learning experiences that support progress across all areas of learning and experience.”

The Creative Learning Cymru programme will work with the arts sector to support schools and commission artists from a range of arts disciplines to co-construct enquiry-led experiences, giving teachers and learners the tools to experiment, reflect, and take creative risks in the classroom. Creative Learning Cymru will also deliver a series of tailored professional learning opportunities for educators.

A clear focus on literacy, wellbeing, and creativity

This next phase for the Creative Learning Cymru programme has a focus on three key national priorities:

  • Raising literacy levels through creative learning strategies.
  • Improving learner wellbeing and engagement by making learning more meaningful and inclusive.
  • Supporting curriculum design to align with Four Purposes of the Curriculum for Wales, which aim to develop students into: ambitious, capable learners; enterprising, creative contributors; ethical, informed citizens; and healthy, confident individuals.

Driving forward innovation in curriculum design

Creative Learning Cymru’s fresh approach will drive forward innovation in curriculum design and champion whole-school transformation by embedding creative cultures and communities of learning. By engaging with leaders, teachers, learners, and artists, the programme will support schools to:

  • Embed the Four Purposes of the Curriculum for Wales, with a focus on developing enterprising and creative contributors.
  • Align to the integral skills by developing creative and critical thinking skills, helping learners to thrive in an ever-evolving world.
  • Improve literacy and oracy, especially for our most disadvantaged learners
  • Centre the learner voice in curriculum design and school development planning.
  • Provide a bespoke, responsive offer tailored to the unique needs and goals of every school.

Enriching Education Through the Arts

In addition, schools will continue to benefit from Creative Learning Cymru’s Go and See and Have a Go funds. These funds bring the Expressive Arts to life through:

  • Visits to high quality art in venues across Wales.
  • Hands-on workshops with professional artists.
  • A specific focus on developing speech, language, and communication through the five disciplines of the Expressive Arts Area of Learning and Experience: art, dance, drama, film and digital media and music. 

Dafydd Rhys, Chief Executive Arts Council of Wales said: 

“Congratulations to the Creative Learning Cymru team on being awarded this new programme, strengthening the already well-established and successful partnership between the Arts Council of Wales and the Welsh Government in the field of creative learning through the arts. We are calling on schools across Wales to join us in reimagining education - whether you’re new to creative learning or ready to deepen your journey. With funding, training, and expert support, Creative Learning Cymru is here to help your school think differently, teach creatively, and lead boldly.”

Cabinet Secretary for Education Lynne Neagle said: 

“I’m delighted to announce over £44m in education funding today, this is a huge investment in high-quality, nationally consistent support for all our schools. This includes funding to Creative Learning Cymru to help support literacy, wellbeing, creativity and access to the arts.

“We are helping schools to ramp up investment in literacy and numeracy standards, and to challenge and engage with their learners across the curriculum.”

Opportunities for schools, artists and organisations across Wales will be available from the autumn term onwards.  

For further information please sign up to the Creative learning bulletin or contact creative.learning@arts.wales