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 2008-2010

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 FestivalPoem

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

02920 472266

www.academi.org

C.E.O Peter Finch