New strategy sets out vision to harness Newport’s creative potential

Newport culture strategy: empowering culture, transforming communities is an ambitious ten-year plan to grow the city’s cultural sector and offer.

It sets out a vision for a radically inclusive and accessible cultural offer, one which local artists and communities are empowered to take part in and shape.

Actions and outcomes for achieving this vision are set around four priorities:

• Newport being seen locally, nationally and internationally as a destination for culture
• empowering our communities to create culture by increasing access to cultural activities
• growing Newport’s cultural skills base to help grow our creative sector
• help culture endure by addressing sustainability challenges faced by the cultural and creative sector.

The strategy will be unveiled this afternoon at a launch event at the CAB in the city centre, ahead of the first ever Newport Music Trail, a free two-day festival style event taking place at bars and venues across the city.

The Music Trail rounds off a busy month in the city, which kicked off with a St David’s Day event at the Riverfront, and last weekend saw both the first ever Newport Festival of Words, and Newport Live Act Fringe, a three-day performing arts festival showcasing new and ambitious performing arts works in their early stages.

“The launch of this strategy is a landmark moment for Newport” said Councillor Emma Corten, cabinet member for culture and communications.

“Culture feeds our souls and fills our hearts. It is something that should be for everyone in the city, every community, and every age group.

“From our Roman and industrial heritage, to our art and music scene, culture is part of our city’s DNA. We must support it to help it flourish and survive.

“That’s why the council commissioned this strategy. But it is important to stress that it isn’t just our strategy. It’s for everyone in Newport who wants to see our city at its best. Creative, dynamic, and full of energy.

“Through the actions in the plan, we can all play a part in making the vision a reality, and further establishing Newport’s place on the cultural map.”

You can read the full strategy document here.

To coincide with the strategy launch, one of Newport’s cultural icons, the Newport Transporter Bridge, will be visited by Jo Stevens MP, Secretary of State for Wales.

Ms Stevens will be shown around the new visitor centre, and hear about the progress of the bridge restoration work, which has been supported by UK Government funding.

Commenting on her visit, the Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said:

 “UK Government’s £5 million investment will fund repair work to the iconic Newport Transporter Bridge so that it can continue to play a vital role in Wales’s tourism economy.

“This investment is an example of how our Plan for Change is delivering regeneration and economic growth, as well as protecting our cherished cultural heritage.”