South Wales Valleys Literature Development Initiative
The Academi is the Welsh Literature Promotion Agency and Society for Authors. The Academi works with the support of the Arts Council of Wales and the Welsh Assembly Government The Arts Council of Wales’ 2010 Investment Review has designated Academi as one of six national companies, each representing different artform genres. The Academi is the Arts Council’s agent to develop and implement literature activity. In addition, the Academi runs events, competitions (including the Cardiff International Poetry Competition), conferences, international exchanges, events for schools, lectures and festival. Academi is also responsible for the National Poet of Wales project and the Encyclopaedia of Wales. Academi was a recipient of an Arts Council of Wales Beacon Company Award
Three years in seven Authorities: Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, Rhondda Cynon Taff and Torfaen Neath Port Talbot joined the second phase of the project in August 2010
The Geographical area covers 2586 square miles with a population of approximately 979,000 It is an area with an extremely high deprivation index falling within the top 10% of Lower Super Output Areas One fifth of the adults living in the areas have no formal qualifications and 27% claim jobseekers or disability allowance Low literacy rates (50-60%) are a key factor in these areas and there are high levels of disaffection from Education and learning
In total over 13,000 people have attended over 300 events
Sport Scott Quinnell Welsh Rugby Legend and Captain Quick Reads Title The Hardest Test
Cardiff City Football Club All Skilled Up Peter Read Mike Jenkins
Boxing Beats Welsh National Opera Louise Walsh
Ramblers Venture Out Poetry and Walking Robert Minhinnick
Mental Health Healing Words Head4Arts, GARTH, Arts Alive Mike Church, Anita Flowers, Graham Hartill
New Horizons Arriva Trains Patrick Jones
Expressions Day Hafal Graham Hartill Mike Church
Heddfan Carers Support Project Heddfan Mike Church
Day Conferences Space Time Machine & Monster Sci Fi, Fantasy & Horror Writing Aloud Publishers
Merthyr Literary Day Celebrated Authors Criminal Intent Crime Writing Women Writers Day Women Writers
Community Poems Greenmeadow Farm Adult Learners Day Abergavenny Food Festival Poem WNO MAX partnership
Specific Housebound writers Six Book Challenge Local celebrities
Gypsy Traveller History Month Home Educated Support Group Young Carers
Academi Mount Stuart House Mount Stuart Square Cardiff CF10 5FQ C.E.O Peter Finch