Perspective(s)

Perspective(s) is a new collaboration between the Arts Council of Wales and Amgueddfa Cymru- Museum Wales which seeks to bring about a step change in how the visual arts and heritage sector reflects the cultural and ethnic diversity of our society. The project is supported by the Welsh Government as part of a collective effort to meet the culture and heritage goals of the Anti-racist Wales Action Plan.

About Oriel Myrddin (OM)

OM’s home is in Carmarthen and we’re currently undergoing a substantial capital redevelopment. The physical connection of our beautiful existing building and the new King Street premises will increase our visibility, accessibility, and presence. The new OM is designed to create a future which underpins our artistic vision to celebrate and showcase the extraordinary diversity and talent on its doorstep as well as welcome and exhibit artistic excellence from further afield. 

OM supports a creative environment where we can all pursue contemporary ideas through a unique and culturally diverse programme of craftsmanship in its widest definition of artistic skill, thought and imagination. 

We believe in using the contemporary visual arts as a platform for audiences to engage with big ideas that question the world around them. We believe that without artists and artistic ideas, the overall quality of life of our community would be considerably poorer. 

About Amgueddfa Cymru’s National Wool Museum (AC) 

Located in the heart of the West Wales countryside, this museum tells the story of the once-thriving woollen industry, which used to dominate the area. This gem of a museum is housed in the original Cambrian Mills, where industrial machinery and live weaving displays bring the process of 'fleece to fabric' to life.  This once mighty industry produced clothing, shawls, and blankets for the workers of Wales and the rest of the world. 

About You

You are a Wales based contemporary maker who is working within the fields that might include: textiles, ceramics, blacksmithing, woodworking, basketry, thatching, upholstery, and surface pattern and you are excited by the prospect of challenging the boundaries of your practice.  

You have a good understanding of learning through making. 

·    We are looking for someone who is socially and politically engaged who can work with both Oriel Myrddin and National Wool Museum to; challenge and disrupt colonial legacies and/or engage in anti-racism through potential exhibitions, displays, events, or performance. 

You can demonstrate previous experience or understanding of public engagement work and an interest in social issues or working with communities. Our audience comprises diverse community groups so you will need to be able to demonstrate socially inclusive approaches within your proposal.  

You identify as culturally and ethnically diverse.  

*We define ‘culturally and ethnically diverse’ as:

•  Anyone from the African, Asian, Caribbean, Hispanic, Latino, Eastern European or Middle Eastern diaspora in Wales  

•  Anyone who identifies as being from an ethnic group that is not exclusively White.  

•  Anyone from Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Communities 

What we offer

Fee – £25,000 for 100 days of work (split between OM and AC) to be concluded by March 2025 

Care – we are committed to working with inspirational makers and engaging with diverse communities, we will support you to enable community engagement, development, production, and presentation of your work.  

Artistic / Professional Development opportunity – the chance to create new work alongside OM and AC to realise your vision.  

This project is part of a larger programme (Perspective(s) and offers the exciting opportunity to meet and network with other likeminded creatives and professionals from AC.  

AC and OM wish to see the heritage and arts sector more representative of the people who make up our surrounding communities. It is through offering your voice and vision that will help make this happen. 

Involvement in the planning and evaluation of the programme* 

*To assess the impact of the Perspective(s) programme the following six building blocks will be used in the evaluation process. Creative Professionals will be required to contribute to the planning and evaluation process throughout the course of the programme. 

Space - To decolonise public spaces, such as museum and galleries. 

Community - Facilitate deeper and wider community engagement. 

Learning - To use collections, displays and exhibitions as catalysts for learning, especially in relation to colonialism, slavery, and Empire. 

Creative Practitioner Development - To facilitate the development of Creative Professionals from culturally and ethnically diverse backgrounds. 

Sector Development - To develop visual arts organisations and a heritage sector in Wales that is actively anti-racist and more intersectional. 

Democratise and Decolonise - To develop processes and new ways of working that are democratic and intersectional working towards an anti-racist arts and heritage sector. 

How to Apply

Please email your application to both CMSpring@carmarthenshire.gov.uk and RVater@carmarthenshire.gov.uk

In email Subject, please include ‘Perspective(s) Application’.

Your application should include the following:

• Five images that demonstrate the style and quality of your practice. These can be shared via a link to your website, or you can WeTransfer the images (minimum 300dpi)

• A link to your social media if you have an up-to-date presence.

• An explanation of how you fit the brief by answering the following five questions.

Q1) Tell us why you want to take part in the Perspectives program. What do you hope to gain or achieve? (max. 500 words)

Q2) Please let us know your experience in working on the following: (max. 500 words)

• Anti-racist/de-colonising projects

• Engaging with community groups/individuals from culturally and ethnically diverse backgrounds

Q3) Part of the Perspective(s) programme is about OM’s learning, development and engagement with diverse communities. How can you help OM develop as part of this programme? (max. 500 words)

Q4) Please tell us about your practice and the journey you have taken to date. (Exhibitions, development of practice etc.) (max 500 words)

Q5) There is capacity to bring other creatives on board to support you and the project. Can you tell us of other practitioners or crafts that you would like to collaborate with and why?

For an informal chat and any questions please contact:

OM Gallery Manager Catherine Spring – CMSpring@carmarthenshire.gov.uk

OM Gallery Assistant Rachel Vater – RVater@carmarthenshire.gov.uk

Key dates and deadlines

Call out closes Sunday 18 June 2023

Interview dates - week beginning Monday 26 June

Please note, If successful in your application, you are required to attend the two following events:

12 July first networking event (in person. Location TBD)

19 July – half day for networking event for Creative Practitioner (online)