GB · International contemporary art platformY Peth Mawr, part of a £6 million immersive arts initiative, was held in Llandudno, North Wales, over three days in early September 2026. This pioneering programme brings together the four national Arts Councils of the UK, the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) to support artists experimenting with immersive technology and to connect the arts, creative industries, and research.
Llandudno was selected as the venue for its combination of a vibrant local community and its importance as a visitor destination. Wales’ tradition of innovative and site-specific creative work also contributed to its choice as host.
The 2026 theme, ‘Play is the Thing’, featured over 60 sessions, including keynote speeches, workshops, performances, works in progress, and practical opportunities to engage with immersive technology. The event included a strong Welsh presence, with participation from organisations funded by the Arts Council of Wales such as the Wales Millennium Centre, Frân Wen, and MOSTYN.
Y Peth Mawr is the first UK-wide arts funding programme to give equal prominence to Welsh and English, alongside a strong commitment to interdisciplinary work and accessibility.
The programme offered a unique opportunity for Welsh artists already working with immersive technology, as well as those from other artistic backgrounds interested in exploring its possibilities. It enabled them to test work, develop ideas, and network with leading artists and contacts from across the UK.
Y Peth Mawr aims to show that immersive arts are for everyone, building bridges between culture and technology and providing more ways for artists to experiment, tell stories, and express ideas.
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