CWLWM CELF is our brand-new Artists Membership scheme for RCT.
A first of its kind in the UK, this commitment to local artists recognises the unique potential in cultural services and cultural ecologies working together.
Similar to a traditional Libraries Membership, this programme will facilitate parity of access to local authority resources, support and infrastructure.
Over the last two years we’ve made a deliberate effort to reimagine our relationship with artists resident in RCT.
This has included:
- ‘Artist in Service’ programme
- ‘Artists Summer Intensive’, a paid two-week CPD course
- Work-in-progress performances and ‘Scratch Nights’ at the Park & Dare
- Open commissioning process for the ‘Pitch Pot’ programme
- Regular newsletter highlighting local, national, and international news and opportunities
We’re now proud to launch: CWLWM CELF - supporting local artists in RCT.
Benefits:
- Access to COLAB dedicated artists co-working space in Treorchy Library
- Access to paid Artist Development Workshops & Masterclass programme
- Access to the RCT ‘Artist in Service’ programme.
- Access to ‘Art Bws’
- A bookable 9-seater vehicle to run short trips across South Wales.
- Access to bespoke reports from OCSI (Oxford Consultants for Social Inclusion) ‘Local Insight’ data toolkit.
- Drawing on information from 1,667 national data sets and 1,168 data sets for Wales including data sets on population, health, employment, crime, housing, education, transport and WIMD etc.
- Access to RCTCBC Welsh Language Translation Services
- Including live simultaneous translation (headsets and translators)
- Access to weekly Artists Networking sessions (including coffee mornings) and seasonal events (including Xmas Party).
- Access to project support from Arts Service officers (subject to capacity).
- Attend an AGM with Arts & Cultural Service Senior Management Team and the Cabinet Member for Culture:
- This is your opportunity to hear what the service has planned, ask questions and make suggestions.
- Access to a dedicated bookable Cwlwm Celf Zoom account for large and unlimited meetings.
- Ticket discounts for selected RCT Theatres events.
- The ability to stand on the Cwlwm Celf Steering Group
- Advise on the future structure of artist networking and its integration with RCTCBC processes and resources.
- A membership card.
What it costs you:
Nothing. It’s free. Like other public services it’s funded by a combination of direct government investment, council tax, and grants (including Arts Council Wales).
This scheme will allow us to better understand the spread of cultural activity across the county borough and ensure our support isn’t ringfenced for specific areas/demographics.
By increasing the visibility of artists and the vital contribution they make to sustaining the county’s cultural offer (for residents and visitors), we hope to strengthen the argument for future funding and support.
Who can join?
Memberships are not limited to ‘professional’ artists, those who earn a living from their work, or those with an established industry profile.
Instead, this programme is open to all. You may have a prolific career as a photographer or just a smart phone and a dream. You may have a degree in drama and be looking to start your own company or just retired and thinking about treading the boards for the very first time.
Our only requirement is that you self-identify as an artist and that you’re willing to meet with us to discuss what that means to you.
How do i Join?
Once you’ve applied an Arts & Cultural Services officer will be in contact to arrange an induction into the programme and COLAB space.
If you have any questions, please contact
jesse.briton@rctcbc.gov.uk.