Forté Project is an artist development scheme in Wales launched in 2015 by Beacons Cymru and Creative Wales.[1]

Forté Project
Forte Project
Founded2015
FounderBeacons Cymru
TypeMusic industry development
Region served
Wales
Websitewww.forteproject.co.uk

Every year Forté Project supports several Welsh musicians at early stages in their career. The project is offered to those aged 16–25 for 6-months providing support, opportunities and industry development.[2][3] Artists have received radio airplay and performances across the world.[4]

History

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The Forté Project started in 2015. In 2021 parent company Beacons Cymru was formed with support from Creative Wales.[5]

Until 2021, the Forté Project was only for artists based in South Wales.[6] However, for their 2021 cohort of artists, the Forté Project became a Wales-wide scheme.[4][7]

Forté Project's director is Spike Griffiths.[8][1]

Editions

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2023

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In January 2023, Forté Project announced 10 more artist for their eighth cohort of the scheme.

Forté Cohort 2023[9]
Name Hometown
ADJUA Cardiff
Aisha Kigs
Elina Lee Cardiff
ELIS Wrexham
Francis Rees Gwynedd
Half Happy
Ivor Woods
ManLikeVision Newport
NOOKEE
Razkid Cardiff

2022

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In January 2022, Forté Project announced their seventh cohort of the scheme, Forté 7. The 10 successful artists include:

Forté 7[9]
Name Hometown
Artyshawty Cardiff
Elin Grace Llandrindod Wells
Elis Derby Y Felinheli
Fig Caerphilly
Kitty Cardiff
Mali Hâf Cardiff
Ogun Newport
Only Rainyday Rainbow Swansea
skylark Caernarfon
sorry stacy Cardiff

Beacons Cymru

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Forté Project is one of the many projects created by parent company, Beacons Cymru during its formation in 2021.[10] Several other projects include the Honey Sessions, Crwth and Summit.

Podcast

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In September 2023, the Forté Project Podcast released featuring interviews with four artists from the 2023 cohort including ADJUA, Half Happy, Ivor Woods & NOOKEE. The podcast series is hosted by Connor Morgans.[11]

References

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  1. ^ a b "The Forté Project and USW: Creating marketing and content strategies for artists". University of South Wales. Retrieved 29 December 2022.
  2. ^ "About". FORTÉ. Retrieved 29 December 2022.
  3. ^ "FORTÉ Project". SONIG & Youth Arts. Retrieved 29 December 2022.
  4. ^ a b Review, Wales Arts (10 January 2022). "Forté Project Announces Ten New Acts". Wales Arts Review. Retrieved 29 December 2022.
  5. ^ Holl, Cath; ·News· (2020-11-09). "Forté Project Launches New Music Scheme Across Wales - God Is In The TV". Retrieved 2022-12-29.
  6. ^ "Forté Project: Talent Development Fund 2020". PRS for Music Foundation. Retrieved 29 December 2022.
  7. ^ Llewellyn, Rebecca (2020-11-09). "Forté Project Announce Application Launch and Expansion Across Wales". Becky and the Bands. Retrieved 2022-12-29.
  8. ^ "FOCUS Wales 2023 » Spike Griffiths (Forte Project)". FOCUS Wales. Retrieved 29 December 2022.
  9. ^ a b "Artists". FORTÉ. Retrieved 29 December 2022.
  10. ^ "Beacons Home". Beacons Cymru. Retrieved 29 December 2022.
  11. ^ "We made a podcast!". X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved 25 September 2023.
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