What is the Welsh Government doing to support music and art festivals across Pembrokeshire?
The Welsh Government has provided direct financial support for two festivals over the past two years. Event Wales has supported the Big Retreat Festival in Lawrenny and the Unearthed festival in St Davids.
In addition, Welsh Government funding for the arts is channelled through the Arts Council of Wales (ACW) under the arm’s-length funding principle.
ACW provides support for the Fishguard and West Wales International Music Festival and Aberjazz – Fishguard’s Jazz and Blues festival. While these festivals are professional and international, they also offer the opportunity for young and local musicians to perform on stage. ACW has also provided project funding for the Boia Festival in St Davids and Ar Ymyl yr Tir - On Land’s Edge Bringing in Fishguard.
Some of ACW’s multi-year funded organisations like Torch Theatre and Span Arts hold their own annual festivals or support local community arts organisations to develop their own.