BME Arts Development Programme
The BME Artist Development Programme aims to increase the number of artists from Black and Minority Ethnic backgrounds working professionally in the arts in Wales.
Identified needs incliude: 
- Artistic skills training
- A continued commitment to supporting emerging artists and companies
- Visible career structures
- Role models to demonstrate the arts can be a viable career for Black and Minority Ethnic arts practitioners
The Artist Development Programme for Black and Ethnic Minority Artists has gained momentum and support from a range of partners including its principle funder, the Arts Council of Wales. The two pronged programme compiled of the Artist Database and an Artist Professional Development Programme, was launched in 2006 at the Senedd.
After discussions with the Arts Council in 2005, the Black Voluntary Sector Network Wales (BVSNW) established the BME Artist Database to promote the arts, artists and cultural diversity. The aim was to showcase to a wider audience the positive impact of multiculturalism on society and how contemporary Wales has been enriched by the influences of multiculturalism through a variety of artistic mediums.
The Database enables the wider audience such as schools, community centres, local authorities and festivals to identify artists and their specific art forms. Many festivals, community activities and events are themed to be culturally specific and this database links artists to their specific art forms. It also raises the profile of multicultural arts and encourages equality in participation and equality of employment opportunities for diverse artists.
The Professional Development Programme has recently been developed to facilitate progression and professionalism along with equality of opportunity for ‘Diverse Artists in a Diverse Wales’. It is aimed to help identify the training and development needs of artists and the ways in which funding bodies can tailor their grants to assist artists in their professional development and also link with and offer support to mainstream arts training and professional development agencies to increase access to services.
Since its conception the project has blossomed into a programme delivering:
- Assessments of client needs and ability through 1-2-1 professional development sessions
- Training and support through art from specific partner agencies by referral such as Community Music Wales, g39’s Warp programme, Skillset Cymru, Academi and Community Dance Wales
- Resources and improved access to resources through open internet access and BVSNW’s service information library
- Regular e-bulletins
- Regional seminars and forums
- Opportunities for involvement in events such as Black History Month, Chinese New Year, International Women’s Day and Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month
- Employment and volunteering opportunities
- A service which is culturally and religiously sensitive to the needs of artists and in particular female Artists wishing for a female only training and mentoring environment
- A united voice for artists through ministerial representation and campaigns
- Consultations and general support to artists
Here are a few case studies showing how our service has worked:
ABU – BAKR MADDEN –AL –SHABAZZ
Literature, African History, Islamic History
Abu Bakr was a visiting lecturer who faced several barriers to being able to teach Black History in Wales. BVSNW’s Arts Development Officers recognised his potential and high skills level and encouraged him continue to try and find a way. BVSNW supported him in developing a workshop that was showcased at the Black History Month Cardiff event in 2007. The success of the course and feed back from the widely diverse audience proved to be a turning point.
With additional support Abu Bakr provided further workshops at the first All Wales - Black History Month finale event in 2008, including one specifically for young people. These workshops aimed at providing the missing pages in world history and attracted a significant mix of cultures and interest levels. Having made contact with Cardiff University Abu Bakr has now developed the first ever accredited Black History Course in Wales. In this initial year 2008, applications to attend were so high that the single course was divided into two separate courses.
Aided by publicity in BVSNW’s bulletins and talks on Radio Cardiff, he now finds himself in a more centralised position with added legitimacy through his connection with Cardiff University. Further courses have been held in BVSNW’s offices and new courses will take place in 2010. His workshops on contemporary issues of family and identity as affected by the entanglements of past enslavement were held at the 2009 Black History Month finale event held in the Wales Millennium Centre. Abu Bakr is currently writing his first book concerning role models and the Black family and he is also lecturing in several Universities on General History.
His intention over the next few years is to convene workshops in Black History and Islamic Studies within the community and seminars for degree students in varied universities. Already in the planning stage are seven separate courses over the next 18 months. He states that he has done more in the last three years than in the previous seven, while quickly gaining in reputation for his inclusivity, attracting participants covering the widest diversity in Wales. He believes that without the continued support and encouragement from BVSNW none of this would have been possible.
ISSAC BLAKE
Awarded a Dance and Drama Scholarship in 2000 to attend Laban, one of the most prestigious dance institutions in the World, Isaac performed with dance companies across the UK and America, including DV8 (London), Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance (New York) and Festival International De Nouvelle Dance (Montreal)
On returning to
Isaac’s professional career is now developing through choreography and he has recently been awarded an Arts Council of Wales grant for a new contemporary dance piece entitle ‘Lavior’ to be performed at the Riverfront Theatre and Arts Centre in
Isaac has recently established a charity, the Romani Cultural and Arts Company, which leases space at BVSNW’s offices 2 days a week. He says that the BVSNW team supported him to tackle discrimination both personally and against his community more constructively and effectively.
MARVA JACKSON LORD
Multimedia Artist, Writer, Cultural Critic
Jamaican Canadian and work at home parent with a background in varied arts including; community radio, events organisation, new media and music. Marva had not worked consistently in the arts for an extended period, due to family and other work constraints. Often feeling excluded from localised arts developments and cut off from any other diversity communities. A combination of issues greatly affected her confidence, prior to finding information about the BME Arts Development Programme.
BVSNW initially assisted by promoting Marva’s successful and self managed Griots Black Cultural Festival through our fortnightly bulletins and providing artists from the Diversity Arts Database to perform. BVSNW also helped in attracting attendance from Cardiff and other areas and supporting her in regaining her confidence through partnership working. Marva has also received bookings for workshops through being on the database and with further support has become more aware of issues concerning the indigenous BME community. As founder and coordinator of Griots Productions Cultural Community Initiative -.aimed at promoting community harmony and understanding, Marva was the key figure in sharing information about community arts and encouraging positive community action. The Festival itself attracted international artists to perform in Haye-on-Wye and constituted the only Black History Month event held in Powys.
Marva has often stood alone in the value creation processes utilising diversity arts, finding huge differences between the arts support systems in Canada and those of Wales. While based in Wales for nearly 10 years she was an initial member of the Hay2 Timbuktu Twinning Committee. In 2009 Marva utilised her extensive skills to become the local consultant and coordinator for one of the BME Arts Development Programme’s regional arts seminars, held in Haye-on-Wye. This experience has further encouraged her to return to work as a singer. Marva believes working with BVSNW gave her the confidence to become more involved with rural arts groups in Powys such as the Powys Arts Forum and also get herself listed on the Powys Council Arts Engine initiative
Marva has now gained an increased understanding, regarding challenges in promoting events addressing BME issues in rural Wales. She has also developed the confidence to apply for and secure an arts business development grant in Powys. Having now returned to studying, doing professional development training and taking regular voice lessons. Her intention is to develop a series of audio-visual learning aids related to the music she is interested in and produce a vocal harmony CD.
FRANK LINLIN YU and MDC
Chinese Calligraphy
Frank’s tutor and grandfather was the professor of the most famous university in China. Frank now teaches in schools across Wales and assisted Chinese New Year in Cardiff. An early member of the BME Artists Database he was assisted in networking and developing his ideas and eventually, established a business-Multicultural Development Consultancy (MDC). This currently comprises fifteen artists initially Chinese and Japanese, they have extensively included; Malaysian, Polish, Korean, Sri Lankan and Welsh. Many have distinctive skills never witnessed previously in Wales. MDC trains, develops and promotes artists across Wales
Frank’s intension is to communicate through Chinese and Eastern cultural arts, promoting and utilising mainly oriental cultural styles to benefit the future of Wales’s children. His wish is to extend MDC’s services throughout Wales and enable children to perform and create oriental arts. MDC is building into a successful enterprise and will sometimes undertake work for schools freely, if they prove unable to access funds. Frank remains grateful for the continued support of the BME Arts Development Programme in dealing with certain language and cultural challenges. The Arts Development Programme have provided help to complete business plans and documentation concerning funding bids etc. However the goal is to gradually enable him to gain in comprehension to become more or less self sufficient within a few years and much progress is being made in this direction. BVSNW has also worked to establish a home for Chinese New Year activities including discussions with St Fagan’s National History Museum.
Frank and MDC produced their first Chinese New Year in 2009 when the previous organisers had to pull out at short notice. With attendance of over 2,000 they were invited back to the Wales Millennium Centre to produce an even grander event for 2010/11. This event in Cardiff has had an interesting history and for a few years was very representative of Hong Kong Chinese culture. However MDC are progressing the event to be representative of the more than 80 ethnic groups that constitute China with a multitude of art forms. MDC are initiating an event unseen in Wales for its grandeur utilising the many rich traditions of their homelands in China.
To discuss future partnership working, enquire about an artist/art form or to register as an artist please contact the team on 029 2044 0188
Alternatively e-mail Nicky Delgado on n.delgado@bvsnw.org.uk or Leanne Rahman on l.rahman@bvsnw.org.uk