Welsh Government outlines new Priorities for Culture

Image: Minister for Culture, Jack Sargeant, courtesy of Welsh Government

The Welsh Government has published its new Priorities for Culture, a strategic document outlining its vision for a resilient sector that brings people together and celebrates Wales as a “nation of culture”, according to the Museums Association which reports:

'The document outlines how the culture sector will support the government towards delivering the Well-being of Future Generations Act 2015, which includes the central goal of creating “a Wales of vibrant culture and thriving Welsh language”.

'In its recent 2025/26 budget, the government announced a £15m strategic investment to support the culture sector to deliver on the priorities, including £7m for museums, archives, libraries and the historic environment sector, and £8m for an arts sector strategic capital investment programme via the Arts Council of Wales. More details of this funding will be announced shortly.

'The government’s three new priorities for culture are “culture brings people together”; “celebrating Wales as a nation of culture”; and “culture is resilient and sustainable”.

'Under the first priority, the document emphasises how the culture sector must connect with people and communities and support inclusivity, diversity, accessibility and cultural rights.

'“Our cultural workforce, collections, spaces and places must promote a modern and diverse Wales, reflecting the variety of people and cultures who call Wales their home,” the document says.

'The document also emphasises the role of culture in place-making and regeneration, stating: “Culture and heritage-led regeneration is powerful and transformative, and culture should be an important consideration in regeneration, economic and business development.”

'It highlights the “positive impact of culture” on community wellbeing, and says “there is growing evidence for how culture can help deliver wider policy aims, including health and wellbeing, education, tackling the climate and nature emergencies and the economy”.

'“We want to see approaches to improving well-being strengthened further, at a local and national level, by deepening existing partnerships and developing new ones”, the document adds.

'Under the second priority, the document outlines how culture can support the government’s ambition for a bilingual and multilingual nation and help promote Wales to the world. The government says it wants to see the profile of culture raised by “celebrating and promoting culture at a local, national and international level.

'Under the third priority, the government highlights its ambition to ensure the culture sector is sustainable and resilient.

It states: “There is a need for continued investment to ensure conservation and maintenance of our unique historic buildings and monuments, particularly those in public and community ownership, which contribute so much to our cultural identity and tourism economy.”

'The document also recognises “the importance of intangible cultural heritage or living heritage in Wales”, and acknowledges the challenges facing cultural institutions in terms of maintenance and storage.

'It says: “Our collections and historic assets should be relevant to a diverse and contemporary Wales, and be leveraged to inspire creativity and support learning and place-making. Access to our collections should reflect our desire to address inequality and ensure the cultural well-being of all the people of Wales.”

'Minister for culture Jack Sargeant said: “I am pleased to publish the Priorities for Culture today, delivering on our Programme for Government commitment. This £15 million investment provides vital funding to support our cultural ambitions and will have significant impact across Wales.

'“The enhanced funding will support several key priorities, such as improving opportunities for children and young people; addressing climate change and providing resources to help the sector achieve net-zero; developing skills; enhancing access and digital improvement.

'“I am immensely proud of the culture sector. Every day, I witness the positive power of culture. This is a vision developed with and for the sector, and I look forward to working collaboratively to deliver these priorities.”'