Black History Cymru programme runs beyond October with 18 events
Black History Cymru 365 has a programme of 18 events across Wales between October 2026 and June 2027, according to Arts Council of Wales. The council’s 12 October update describes its partnership with Race Council Cymru following the programme’s launch at St Fagans. The aim is to bring generations together through music, performance and storytelling, while helping communities find routes into arts support. These are the programme’s aims, rather than measured outcomes.
Creative Steps: key dates
- October application deadline
- 21 October 2026, 1pm
- Required earlier step
- Expression of interest closed 30 September
- Next expression of interest
- 10 February 2027, 1pm
- Following application deadline
- 3 March 2027, 1pm
Funding for developing a creative career
One route highlighted is Creative Steps for Individuals. The council’s guidance says artists and creatives who identify as ethnically and culturally diverse, D/deaf, disabled or neurodivergent can apply, subject to the fund’s full eligibility checks. The fund supports professional and business development. It is for developing a career, rather than paying to create new artwork or deliver a project. Mentoring, training and practical resources are among the examples in the guidance. Applicants can seek between £500 and £7,500, plus access costs. The fund can cover up to 90% of developmental costs; the remaining contribution must come from outside the Arts Council or National Lottery and can include approved in-kind support.
Check the expression-of-interest deadline first
The published application deadline is 1pm on 21 October 2026, but the required expression-of-interest cut-off for that round was 30 September. A new applicant should not assume the October deadline is open without completing that earlier step. The next listed expression-of-interest cut-off is 1pm on 10 February 2027, followed by an application deadline of 1pm on 3 March. The council asks prospective applicants to contact creativesteps@arts.wales before submitting an application. Event details and booking arrangements should be checked through the official Black History Cymru 365 programme. An 18-event total does not establish that every event is free, ticketed or accessible in the same way.