Mike Hedges AM welcomes news that new priorities launched to support the growth of Wales’ Creative Industries

Mike Hedges AM welcomes news that new priorities launched to support the growth of Wales’ Creative Industries Speaking from his Swansea East Constituency, Mike Hedges AM said.. I greatly welcome this news as Wales has a strong record in the Creative Industries and this announcement builds on this proud tradition. We need to provide support to encourage new talent and to expand the range of venues in Wales. We also need to market Wales as a creative arts venue. I am sure that the type of investment outlined in the announcement will also support developments in our higher education sector. I look forward to supporting creative industries in Swansea in the coming years.  The Welsh labour Government has launched Creative Wales - to position Wales as the place for creative businesses to thrive. The main priorities for the Creative Wales are to: Drive growth of the Creative Industries sector in Wales with a more targeted regional and sub-sector focus. Develop the right skills across the sector to support continued growth, recognising that this cannot be done in isolation and will require closer working with industry and trade union partners. Raise standards and promote diversity and equality. This will include developing commitments from all partners with regards to inclusion, fair pay and exemplary working practices. Simplify funding support for the creative industry and ensure that we are able to respond to the fast pace of the sector. All funding will be delivered through an economic contract. Take a lead role in the marketing and promotion of the creative industries in Wales to the world, via a new Creative Wales brand. The Welsh Labour Government has also announced funding provided to Creative and Cultural Skills and their partners, in order to establish and deliver a pilot of the Creative Careers Programme Cymru. The programme will work with more young people to raise awareness and interest of the breadth of creative career opportunities available in the sector. To support the industry, Creative Wales will have two funding streams for capital and revenue funding, which will respond quickly and flexibly to sector needs, which will be more than £7m in 2020-21. Independent Venues Week takes place this week and the Welsh Labour Government also announced funding of £120,000 for Grass Roots Music Venues. The next steps will include establishing an advisory board, adverts for recruiting Board Chair and members will go live on 29 January. Gerwyn Evans has been appointed to the role of Deputy Director, Creative Wales.