City centre arts programme

The programme is presenting art-based experiences in the city centre, which aim to enrich the public realm and provide alternative views of well-known public places and development sites during its renewal.

Through improvements to the visitor experience, encouraging people to look again and reimagine the centre of Swansea, it is envisaged that a sense of place will develop that will drive footfall and increase the time people spend in the city centre.

Enhancing public spaces, inspiring people to connect with places, encouraging playful fun, and producing new viewpoints that are intriguing, entertaining and accessible, will hopefully lead to a greater appreciation of the city centre.

"It's refreshing to see more public art on the streets of Swansea. Arts and culture can play a significant role in regeneration - and our city centre arts programme is promoting that. The programme is presenting artworks around city streets and public spaces during the city centre's ongoing £1bn redevelopment."- Robert Francis-Davies, the council's cabinet member for investment, regeneration and tourism.

Starting the programme are two new collections of colourful art created by people across Swansea:

• Swansea Songs - a collection of quirky portraits created by Swansea's young carers from the YMCA in St Helen's Road
• Swansea's Welcome Group - a collection of portraits of family and friends painted by Swansea's Welcome Group, which brings together refugees and people seeking asylum with city residents through art workshops based at the Glynn Vivian.