Creative Cardiff Artist Commission

Creative Cardiff, in partnership with Local Authorities in Newport, Monmouthshire and Rhondda Cynon Taf, is currently seeking to commission nine artists to produce a piece of work on the theme of local creativity, community and innovation. 

This opportunity is being delivered as part of the Creative Industries Cluster Hubs (CICH) project. 

Commissioned works can be multidisciplinary across a variety of creative mediums, including but not limited to: visual arts, sculpture, video, spoken/written word, textiles, performance, dance, installation etc. 

Responses should explore what it means to be ‘a creative’ within one of the partner Local Authority areas. They should also seek to actively engage the community in debate and discussion around the role and importance of creative practice for wider society, as well as considering what a future thriving creative community could achieve for a place, and for its residents. 

Applicants must be living or working in Newport, Monmouthshire or Rhondda Cynon Taf. We are looking to commission three artists from each area. 

Background: 

Creative Industries Cluster Hubs was a project delivered by Cardiff University’s Centre for the Creative Economy, in partnership with local authorities Rhondda Cynon Taf, Monmouthshire and Newport, funded by Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). This work has focussed on exploring and piloting new partnership models to create three prototype hubs that can enable cluster growth, reach and impact. This is supporting a more inclusive and democratic approach to sector growth by creating tangible grassroots opportunities for new talent from communities in the region, and building new creative networkswhich connects a wide range of creatives across the Monmouthshire, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Newport areas. 

Creative Cardiff is now extending the work delivered during the pilot phase with a series of up to nine local commissioning opportunities across the partner Local Authorities. This will aim to capture the essence of the Creative Industry Cluster Hubs project and activities – which have focussed on connecting artists, collaborating with the community and showcasing local creatives – in tangible and shareable new ways. 

About the Centre for the Creative Economy: 

Cardiff University’s Centre for the Creative Economy creates a space for much needed research and engagement projects focused on the creative industries in Wales. Within the Centre, three specific programmes of work are being delivered, Creative Cardiff (established in 2014), Clwstwr (2018-2023) and Media Cymru (2022 – 2026). The Creative Industries Cluster Hubs work is a Clwstwr legacy project, managed primarily by the Creative Cardiff Team. 

The Commission: 

Artists and creative practitioners working in a range of mediums across the partner Local Authorities are now invited to respond to this commission with their ideas for work that captures and conveys a story of local creativity and community distinct to their area. 

We are seeking to commission diverse pieces of work that can deliver against some, or all, of the following objectives:  

• Actively and meaningfully convey the creative life and heritage of the Local Authority, and the people who live within it. 

• Reflect the ‘look and feel’ and unique identity of the Local Authority’s diverse communities. 

• Give a sense of a future vision for a local community that is fulfilling its creative industries potential. 

• Celebrate the variety of creative sector activity which thrives in the area. 

• Show what being a creative means to you , either as a local resident or someone who works within the area. 

• Links to a theme of ‘innovation’ in the creative sector. 

Through providing a multi-perspective, sector-generated narrative on creativity and the creative industries across the region, the commissioned works will play an integral role in  helping to further develop and shape the work of the Creative Industries Cluster Hubs project. This will be both through celebrating creativity, and in convening local creative clusters and communities.   

What will happen to the commissioned works? 

Creative Cardiff will capture and document the commissioning process, and the works created, through the medium of a film. The film will then form a key part of project dissemination, both as a prompt for discussion and debate around the role of creative practice in your area and as a demonstration of the strength and future potential for creative industries clusters across South East Wales. It will be shared widely through Creative Cardiff’s channels, within Local Authorities, with funders, and with our UK and international network of partners and stakeholders. 

Commissioned works will also be exhibited / displayed locally, where appropriate and feasible to do so. 

Format 

This is an open, multi-disciplinary commissioning opportunity.  

The creative medium for commissioned artists could include: visual arts, sculpture, music, video, poetry, dance, spoken and written word, textiles or other creative practices. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list. 

Application process 

We are asking applicants to send us a short application, addressing the following questions:   

1. Tell us about your creative practice (200 words) 

2. Tell us about your previous creative work (e.g. past commissions etc) with examples (300 words maximum). 

2. Tell us about your idea for this commission, and how it relates to the Creative Industries Cluster Hubs project, the Local Authority area, or the wider Cardiff Capital Region (500 words maximum). 

3. Explain in which format you would intend to present the work, and why?  

4. Please provide 2 references who we can contact to ask them about you and your work. 

Applications can be in written format, or short video. 

Submissions might also include an illustration, a digital design, an artwork, or photography-based practice. However, these are examples, and this list is not exhaustive.  

Application deadline: 

Please send your applications to creativecardiff@cardiff.ac.uk with the subject line ‘CICH Artist Commission: Newport' OR ‘CICH Artist Commission: Monmouthshire' OR ‘CICH Artist Commission: Rhondda Cynon Taf' by Friday 2 February 2024, 17:00.   in case of any questions. 

Timeline