Press Releases

The Challenge Fund will be awarded to support the research and development of innovative ways to experience and interact with Amgueddfa Cymru’s collections on a local and global scale.

This is an opportunity to work with Amgueddfa Cymru to enable users and visitors to digitally and physically explore, and interpret the stories of Wales from wherever you may be.

Amgueddfa Cymru exists to inspire people and change lives, making culture accessible to all. It invites everybody to play an active part in creating the story of Wales. This means anyone can experience Amgueddfa Cymru in the way that they choose - be that in person or digitally, in our museums or in their communities.

Nia Williams, Director of Learning and Public Programmes at Amgueddfa Cymru said:

“We are thrilled to be working with Clwstwr. The Challenge Fund will bring Amgueddfa Cymru together with the creative industries in Wales, providing an opportunity for us to interact with some of the most cutting-edge technology and innovation.”

Clwstwr encourages creatives to let their ideas for new products, services and experiences in the screen sector thrive by doing research and development (R&D).

Adam Partridge, Producer and partnerships lead at Clwstwr, said:

“We welcome this new partnership with Amgueddfa Cymru and the chance to connect even more creatives with the heritage sector. Through the Challenge Fund, and Clwstwr’s wraparound R&D support, we anticipate lots of great ideas to push the boundaries of how museums are experienced now and in the future.”

Expressions of interest for the Challenge Fund will be accepted from 20 September 2021 after which applicants will be invited to develop their ideas at a practical Challenge Workshop before completing a formal application.

By November 2021, two successful teams will be awarded up to £25,000 each to research, develop and deliver their innovative projects for delivery in March 2022. Ideas should be modular, scalable and feature a strong element of co-curation. The successful teams will be provided access to the unparalleled cultural resources of Amgueddfa Cymru to aid their process.

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EDITORS NOTES

• Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales is a family of seven museums and a collections centre, which are all free to enter thanks to the support of the Welsh Government. Together, it is home to the nation’s art, history, heritage and science collections, which will continue to grow so that they can be used and enjoyed by both present and future generations.

One of its museums, St Fagans National Museum of History which explores the history and culture of Wales, won Art Fund Museum of the Year 2019.

As a registered charity, Amgueddfa Cymru is grateful for all support. The events and exhibitions programme is supported by players of the People’s Postcode Lottery. 

• Clwstwr is a five-year programme to create new products, services and experiences for screen. Clwstwr builds on South Wales' success in making creative content by putting research and development (R&D) at the core of production, creating a culture of innovation in the cluster which is moving the screen sector from a position of strength to one of international leadership. It is led by Cardiff University in partnership with the University of South Wales and Cardiff Metropolitan University. Clwstwr is funded by the Creative Industries Clusters Programme, which is part of the UK Government’s Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund, and Creative Wales.