Our talent development programme, launched in July 2019, brings young people together who share a passion and talent for creating music. Its purpose is to offer progression routes for participants of our wider programme, especially encouraging young people from underrepresented and low socioeconomic backgrounds, to consider careers within the creative industries. It also enables our provision to extend beyond our designated centres by reaching out and supporting talents from across the wider region. 

We offer invited young artists bespoke creative development opportunities that nurture a diverse range of talents including emerging and more established solo artists, duos and bands. Providing them with the opportunity to work with various team members to develop their songwriting, production and performance skills as well as build portfolios of original work, produce quality recordings and gain valuable performance experience at various festivals and events. 

To date, we have supported 67 young people with creative development and performance opportunities, represented through 48 music acts of various styles and genres including indie, pop, opera and folk to more urban styles such as Hip Hop, R&B, drum & bass, soulful house and grime. 

We have managed youth stages at various events including Pride Cymru’s The Big Weekend, CultVR, Radio 6 Music Fringe and the University of South Wales Immersed Festival and presented smaller showcases in partnership with Cardiff Youth Service, Cardiff and Vale College, Wales Millennium Centre and Clwb Ifor Bach. 

Our Academy programme is supported by the Arts Council of Wales National Lottery Scheme and Anthem.