Sparc is an integral part of Valleys Kids and delivers its youth arts programme across all Valleys Kids centres and beyond. This model, which brings together the expertise of community development, youth work and trauma specialists with youth and community arts practitioners, is unique in Wales and of proven success. After 25 years of delivery, people who joined our project as children have become qualified arts professionals themselves and are now working with Sparc as part of their practice, nurturing and providing aspirational figures for new generations of young people in their communities.

Sparc works in a variety of mediums including theatre, music, dance and digital arts. Sparc responds to what young people want to do and creates opportunities to suit their needs and desires. Using creative techniques, children and young people explore different areas of their lives and the lives of others in a positive way.

Our programmes provide powerful artistic provocation to fire the imagination and stimulate the senses of participants, allowing young people to explore the world around them in a responsive and creative way. Our work is delivered in supportive and non-judgemental environments and builds trust with the young people we work with through a bespoke approach to supporting their creative development that acknowledges the challenges, be they socio-economic, cultural or through a disability, where they require access and support. We value the opportunities and insights that learning can provide and encourage the young people who take part in Sparc to continue or to return to education and training.

At Sparc, young people are co-learners working in a reciprocal way with our Youth Arts workers.  Together they engage and inspire each other and those around them to be creative, work together and have fun. Sparc is inclusive and aspirational and creates an environment of trust and respect. All Sparc workshops are free to ensure that cost is never a barrier. The work of Sparc encourages participants to grow and develop, accept challenges and work together for a better future for our communities and themselves.

Through our partnership work, we want to encourage this idea of reciprocal co-creation exchange between partners, however big or small in scale, and share the effective model that we have developed for engaging young people who are from demographics underrepresented within the arts.

Sparc staff understand the difference that the arts can make in changing lives and are passionate about passing on their experience, knowledge and expertise. The Youth Arts workers understand the barriers that young people can face in accessing the arts so they are always on hand to offer support when needed and to encourage people to participate in a way that is helpful to them.

Recently, along with 16 partners, Sparc hosted the highly successful ‘Make It!’ project, which is run by emerging artists for emerging artists, to create a network in RCT and beyond.  Through the Make it! project and our Sparc Associates scheme, young people can continue their journey as early career artists up to the age of 30, working in a paid capacity alongside experienced professionals.

Sparc is based at the Factory in Porth, with a radio station led and run by young people, a yearly Life Hack event working with industry professionals  and Stiwdio Sparc which provides a rehearsal and training space.