24 Hour Culture, a major survey focusing on South East Wales, wants to capture a 24-hour period of the cultural activities people enjoy as part of their daily lives. It can be anything, it could be getting caught up in a good book, unwinding with a new film or TV show, or performing on stage. Whatever form of cultural activity you do within the 24 hours from 12 noon on Fri 21 Oct to 12 noon on Sat 22 Oct, they want to know.
The survey aims to document what people aged 16 and over (who answer anonymously) do in the South East Wales region. They want to discover what culture and arts mean to the residents of Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, Newport, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Torfaen, and the Vale of Glamorgan in order to understand the narratives of everyone in the community. Any events or venues you visit within these 24 hours should be noted, as well as any interests and hobbies that you take part in within that time.
What Next?, a group of arts organisations and key individuals in Wales commissioned this project, with over 30 wide-ranging partners behind the event, including No Fit State Circus, National Theatre Wales, Sŵn, and S4C. Economy and Infrastructure Secretary, Ken Skates, said: “Arts, culture and heritage are at the heart of Wales and play an important role in bringing people and communities together. I welcome the What Next? 24 Hour Culture survey as an opportunity to celebrate the way in which people enjoy and take part in cultural activities – not just through our great arts, culture and heritage organisations but also in homes and communities. Through our Fusion initiative, the Welsh Government is driving up access to culture in some of our most disadvantaged communities, supporting people to gain confidence and skills and helping to boost attainment.”
Not only that, but leading Welsh figures are also supporting the event, such as Michael Sheen, who is quoted as having said: “We can’t know who we are or who we want to be unless we can imagine it first. Art and culture is all about possibility. It’s how we process what it is to be human and alive. Every time I read a book, listen to music, watch a film or TV series I expand what is possible for myself. It’s not a luxury – it’s at the very heart of who we are.” They are also looking for 24 volunteers who are willing to have their results profiled, which would then be put live on the project’s online gallery.
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To find out more, and stay up to date with the journey along the way, follow @24hrculture on Twitter, use the #thisisculture hashtag, or like their Facebook page. For more details, visit their website, which features a selection of inspirational events taking place across South East Wales, along with information on the survey itself.
words AMY-ANNE WILLIAMS
24 Hour Culture Survey. Fri 21 Oct-Sat 22 Oct. Info: www.24hourculture.wales