Valleys Re-Told

The Valleys Re-told project is a co-created art and heritage engagement program with a core emphasis on discovering and sharing new knowledge and interpretations with people of the south Wales Valleys. The long-term vision is to bring together a national collection of art that reflects the people, culture, and identity of the south Wales valleys: a treasured accessible resource for the future. The funding has been provided by The Esmée Fairbairn Collections Fund – delivered by the Museums Association.

Amgueddfa Cymru, National Museum Wales has extended this collaboration beyond the network of schools and communities and sought to consolidate this vision with Cyfarthfa Castle Museum and Gallery and Cynon Valley Museum Trust, two well established museums situated within the heart of the south Wales Valleys. Together the partnership has created an openness towards sharing collections, developed an advocacy strategy and cultivated a trusting working relationship with communities and schools.

Throughout October to December 2021 a collection survey of artworks was conducted from all three museums, amassing hundreds of items which are in the process of being collated and made accessible to the recruited engagement groups: Dowlais Primary School, Dowlais Art Group, Painting4fun, Coleg y Cymoedd and Lee Gardens Pool Charity. The demographic spans from early years, KS5, 40+ ages and older aged people. A blog and vlog have also been published online and shared with the partner museums, and an evaluation plan that intends to capture both the quantitive and qualitative impact of the social bearing of this directive.