Past projects
Arts and Town Centres Regeneration
Stronger than it Looks, 2007
Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council's Cultural Services commissioned an installation from Artstation to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the William Edwards bridge in Pontypridd. The artists worked with students from University of Glamorgan, Porth County, engaged with local people and Costains (who were at the time building the Rheola Bridge as part of the Porth bypass) using only paper to create “y Bont” an architectural scale bridge in Porth Plaza. The project was funded by the Heritage Lottery, Costains and Travis Perkins.
Treorchy Gateway Seating / Banners, 2005-2006
Louise Shenstone, Public Art Co-ordinator for Rhondda Cynon Taff Community Arts, was commissioned by Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council Town Centre Regeneration team to create two Gateway artworks for Treorchy town centre. The designs for the Seating and the Banners were created during workshops with local school children.
Mountain Ash Bridge Mural, 2005, 2006
Created by Mobile Arts who worked with local school children to create designs.
Youth Arts
Summer Arts 2008
This summer period saw a fantastic, exciting and diverse programme of activity as part of the summer holiday programme. Offering young people many new experiences and the opportunity to participate and to meet new people. Workshops including Djing, breakdancing, graffiti art, drama, dance, ceramics, beatboxing and arts and crafts were made available to all young people age 5-18 living in Rhondda-Cynon-Taff. The Summer Holiday Programme has now become an ever evolving and positive service within the surrounding communities and Cultural Services are pleased to be part of this successful venture.
Arts Week
The Youth Arts Project and Disabled Children’s team deliver Arts Week at The Muni Arts Centre Pontypridd. “Arts Week” is a school holiday arts project designed specifically for young people living with disabilities. The programme of activities we provide include Rock and Pop, Creative Movement, Patua Dance, Forum Theatre, Singing and Percussion and music therapy and ceramics.
“Thank you for a wonderful week, the difference you make to all our lives. We always feel full of Happiness and life after these activities” Jane and Katie Mustafa, Grandmother and granddaughter who attend arts week.
Live Band Photography project 2007
What have Pop pin-up Donny Osmond, Pontypridd rockers Lostprophets and Opera singer Katherine Jenkins got in common? They all feature in a new photography exhibition, showcasing the work of six talented young photographers from Rhondda Cynon Taf.
Josh Blisko, Leah Evans, Hannah Culverhouse, Owen Williams, Abigail Jeremiah, Laura Williams and James Foxhall all worked throughout the summer with professional music photographer Darren Warner in a Band and Live Performance Photography Project.
They took photos at events as diverse as rock festival The Full Ponty, featuring Lostprophets and The Automatic, and Donny Osmond’s homecoming concert in Merthyr. Their photographs went on show in an exhibition in the Muni Arts Centre, Pontypridd, from Wednesday, October 10-November 10.
Liz Driscoll, Youth Arts Coordinator for Rhondda Cynon Taf Cultural Services, said: “This project aimed to support and develop tomorrow’s budding music photographers in Rhondda Cynon Taf, giving them a unique opportunity to receive first hand on-location training and mentoring.”
Young photographer Laura Williams, of Cilfynydd, said: "The project has been a great learning experience for me. My photography has vastly improved, especially from getting the opportunity to photograph Donny Osmond. Although I got completely soaked in the rain, I still came out with a wicked smile and some great shots!"
The project, for young people aged between 16-25, was supported by the Council’s Youth Arts Project, which is funded by Fframwaith. The exhibition will go on tour to other venues in Rhondda Cynon Taf and across South Wales.
For more information contact the Youth Arts Co-ordinator or 01443 490208
Digital Media
Examples of the amazing work this programme produces, includes:
Interskills – an international project delivered in partnership with Bro Dysg and the Youth Service to develop employment skills within young people interested in pursuing careers in the creative and cultural industries
Make iT – for musicians and media students to produce music videos, supported by the 14-19 Pathways Programme.
SONIG
The EnviroVision Song Quest Competition
Environmentally themed songwriting and recording project within schools, in which participants learn key issues through music, culminating in a high profile competition at The Muni. This year saw Stuart Cable, and Shaun Smith from The Blackout as judges to a sell out audience. Streecare Team intiative delivered in partnership with SONIG and The Muni.
MAKE IT Music Media Project (funded through the 14 - 19 Learning Pathways Fund, RCT CBC)
Local band 'Dead End' and local singer songwriter Kadisha Drijja were selected as this years winners by Amy Wadge and Darren Smith (Funeral for a Friend). They had a video created for them by 9 media students from RCT,under the guidance of Tantrwm Media, which were showcased at The Muni in May. Kadisha then went on to play at The Big Weekend. Delivered by the Digital Media Programme and SONIG.
Rock School at Cwmparc Hall in partnership with Community Music Wales
WNO Carbon 12
Workshops held over a four week period with SONIG participants at The Muni and the Porth Plaza building. Culminating in final recording at WMC and performance in Rhondda Fach Sports Centre. For a copy of the CD created by SONIG Participants, please contact Tanya.
