25 Schools and 25 Creative professionals will join forces to devise and deliver innovative and creative projects that explore the key themes of Cynefin: Black, Asian and minority ethnic Wales.
A new curriculum will be introduced in Welsh schools in 2022 and following recommendations of a working group set up by the Welsh government to look at how the contributions of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Communities through history has been taught in schools, it was announced that all children will be taught about racism and the contributions of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities.
Since its inception in 2015, the Arts Council of Wales’s ‘Creative learning through the arts’ project has examined ways of putting creativity at the heart of the new curriculum, and recently recruited creative professionals to work in Welsh schools to look at ways of exploring the history and development of Wales as a multicultural society.
Two of the artists that successfully applied to be creative practitioners were professional singer Molara Awen and video artist and multi-disciplinary artist Joseph Roberts.
“People in the world and in Wales are starting to think about things like equality. If you have different hair, different skin, everyone can feel like they belong. Everyone can have a voice. Everyone is special. No matter what language you speak, no matter what colour your skin is, no matter what religion. “Cynefin” is an opportunity to get creative together. To be kinder, to talk to each other.” Molara Awen.
“This project would have been really beneficial to me as a young black kid in a predominantly white school so I’m hoping to bring that nuance, and that different voice that the kids might not be used to.” Joseph Roberts.
Commenting today, Kirsty Williams MS, Minister for Education, said:
“I am really pleased the Arts Council for Wales have worked closely with the working group on Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Communities, Contributions and Cynefin in the new Curriculum to develop this new strand to the Creative Learning through the Arts programme. It's very important our new curriculum reflects the true diversity of our population and learners understand how this diversity has shaped Wales.
“I’m looking forward to seeing the results of this work and how schools and creative professionals will work together to explore the contributions of Black, Asian and Minority ethnic individuals and communities to modern day Wales and beyond.”
Nick Capaldi, Chief Executive Arts Council of Wales said:
“Cynefin: Black, Asian and minority ethnic Wales, draws upon the strengths of the Lead Creative Schools Scheme that has helped schools explore new ideas and approaches to teaching and learning over the last 6 years. I am delighted that we are now also able to contribute in this way to the new curriculum’s increased emphasis on truly reflecting the diversity of Wales’ population and the impact of this on Wales’ past and future. It is also so exciting to see the schools and creative professionals collaborating to explore the contributions of Black, Asian and Minority ethnic individuals and communities in Wales and beyond.”
The 25 creative practitioners will now work with schools on creative partnerships and projects to enhance the quality of teaching and learning.
END 24 March 2021