Flourishing Creative Communities in Aberystwyth

On 15 July 2023, 35 members of Aberystwyth creative communities gathered in the Bandstand by the sea to explore how creative entrepreneurs and industries in the area could flourish. Hosted by the Aberystwyth University Dialogue Centre, the event was designed and facilitated by Dr. Eri Mountbattern-O’Malley, Director and Founder of FlourishCafe™.

Attendees included individual artists, photographers, musicians and performers as well as members of the Aberystwyth Rotary, Business Club and staff of arts organisations such as the National Library Wales and Arad Goch Theatre, and Ceredigion Museum. Elected representatives from Aberystwyth Town Council and officers from Ceredigion County Council also attended.

The afternoon included guest speakers Jacob Elis, Lead Change Maker for Public Affairs and International Relations at the Office of the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales and local business owner Julien Shelley. The second half of the event engaged attendees in thinking about what flourishing creative industries in the Aberystwyth areas would look like and some of the current challenges and the opportunities.

Explore the ‘What Was Heard Report’ to learn about themes that emerged during the event.

The findings will inform future opportunities for collaboration between Cyngor Sir Ceredigion County Council and Aberystwyth University Dialogue Centre.