Welsh and Wales-based LGBTQ+ creatives have made significant contributions to the country's vibrant cultural scene, enriching it with their unique perspectives, experiences, and voices. However, like many marginalised groups, LGBTQ+ artists and performers often face systemic barriers that limit their access to resources, opportunities, and platforms. Despite significant progress in recent years, many LGBTQ+ creatives still face barriers to accessing opportunities and platforms for showcasing their work. Fortunately, there are several organisations in Wales that are dedicated to providing a safe space and platform as well as supporting and showcasing the talents of LGBTQ+ creatives in Wales, providing them with the resources and opportunities they need to succeed. These organisations play a critical role in creating a more inclusive and diverse arts and culture scene in Wales, helping to ensure that LGBTQ+ voices are heard and celebrated. By shining light and supporting these collectives, we hope to raise awareness of their vital work and inspire others to support their efforts to create a more inclusive and equitable creative scene in Wales.
Here are 5 organisations that work to represent, support and encourage LGBTQ+ creativity in Wales:
1. The Queer Emporium
What started as a pop-up has now become a thriving hub for creativity, inclusiveness and representation. The social enterprise and now retail store based in Cardiff aims to provide a safe and welcoming space for the LGBTQ+ community, selling a range of products from clothing, accessories, books, and artwork from queer artists and businesses. The store also hosts various events and workshops, including art exhibitions, poetry nights, and drag performances. In addition to this, the hub works with multiple LGBTQ+ charities such as Trans Aid Cymru and Glitter Cymru, working towards supporting and providing necessary care and resources to the local and wider community. The Queer Emporium has been praised for its inclusivity and positive impact on the local community and creative scene, and it only continues to grow and expand its offering.
Last year saw The Queer Emporium host Wales’ first-ever Queer Fringe Festival. Spanning over a month, the festival featured a whole host of comedy acts, drag performances, poetry, literature and dog walks (!) collaborating with over 20 venues around the Cardiff region.
If you want to learn more about the Queer Emporium, you can visit their website or social media pages for the latest updates and events. @thequeeremporium queeremporium.co.uk
2. Cardiff Umbrella
Cardiff Umbrella is an artist-led, community-focused, and socially-driven art space and organisation in Cardiff. The exhibition space is located within the Capitol Shopping Centre in the heart of the city, which makes it a central location for locals and visitors alike. Cardiff Umbrella aims to provide a platform for emerging artists and creatives in the local community, showcasing a range of contemporary art exhibitions, workshops, and events. The space is also designed to be an inclusive and welcoming environment, encouraging community engagement and collaboration.
In addition to its exhibition space, Cardiff Umbrella also hosts various community-focused initiatives, such as art projects, educational and mentoring programs, and outreach activities. The aim is to use art as a tool to bring people together and promote positive social change.
Cardiff Umbrella is a valuable addition to Cardiff's thriving arts and culture scene and the LGBTQ+ community, providing a much-needed platform for emerging artists and promoting community engagement through art.
If you want to learn more about Cardiff Umbrella, you can visit their website or social media pages for the latest updates and events. @cardiffumbrella https://direct.me/cardiffumbrella
3. On Your Face
On Your Face Collective is a social enterprise that focuses on bringing visibility to LGBTQ+ creatives in Wales. The collective was founded in 2021 by Africa Olle out of a need to connect with other LGBTQ+ artists and the frustration at the lack of spaces and representation of the community in the rural areas of Wales. The collective organises various events, exhibitions, and workshops that highlight the work of LGBTQ+ creatives across different art forms, such as photography, visual arts, music, and performance. These events provide a space for LGBTQ+ artists to showcase their work and engage with the wider community, helping to create a more inclusive and diverse arts scene in Wales. They feature an online directory of queer creatives, as well as an LGBTQ+ Creatives Wales Facebook group.
In addition to its creative endeavours, On Your Face Collective also has a strong focus on social impact. The emphasis on social responsibility and community engagement in more rural areas of Wales is at the heart of On Your Face Collective's ethos and values. Applications for funding are underway but OYF is run on a completely volunteer basis. Their aim is to create paid jobs and opportunities for queer creatives in Wales.
On Your Face are hoping to have a physical space in Carmarthenshire (where they are based) which will act as a queer central hub, in addition to working across Wales in collaboration with different galleries, groups and organisations. OYF is currently looking for more members, directors and volunteers to get involved in the shaping of the organisation's future and its advancement. If you are a queer creative of Wales and want to register with them or want to be more involved you can find more information on their website onyourfacecollective.org.
Visit their website or social media pages for the latest updates and additional events. @onyourfacecollective https://linktr.ee/onyourface
4. Lone Worlds
Lone Worlds is a collective of LGBTQ+ creatives based in Wales with a mission to community build, educate and encourage creative development for queer people. After feeling the impact of limited LGBTQ+ resources and events, the collective was founded in 2020 with the goal of creating a supportive and inclusive community for LGBTQ+ creatives specifically in Wales. Lone Worlds organises various events and initiatives that bring together LGBTQ+ creatives, providing opportunities for networking, collaboration, and creative development. The collective's events include exhibitions, workshops, talks, and performances, showcasing the work of LGBTQ+ artists across a range of disciplines, including visual art, photography, music, and literature.
One of the key goals of Lone Worlds is to provide a space for LGBTQ+ creatives to develop their skills and talents, with a focus on mentorship and education. The collective offers mentorship programs and workshops that are designed to support emerging LGBTQ+ artists and creatives, helping them to develop their skills and connect with others in the community. In addition to its creative initiatives, Lone Worlds is also committed to creating a more inclusive and diverse arts scene in Wales. Lone Worlds is an important initiative in Wales, providing much-needed support and community for LGBTQ+ creatives. The collective's focus on education, mentorship, and community building makes it a valuable resource for emerging LGBTQ+ artists and creatives in the region.
If you want to learn more about the Lone Worlds, you can visit their website or social media pages for the latest updates and events. @loneworlds https://loneworlds.org
5. Dyddiau Du
Dyddiau Du is a NeuroQueer community library and sober, safe space located in the Capitol Shopping Centre, Cardiff. The space is dedicated to providing a safe and inclusive environment for the NeuroQueer community, which includes individuals who identify as neurodivergent and/or LGBTQIA+. The library is a central feature of the space and includes a wide range of books, zines, and other literature focused on topics related to neurodivergence, LGBTQIA+ issues, and social justice from Welsh Queer, people of colour, and neurodivergent artists and authors. Visitors can browse the collection, read books in the cosy seating areas, or participate in book clubs and other literary events.
In addition to its library, Dyddiau Du also serves as a community space for events, workshops, and art exhibitions. The space hosts a range of events focused on art and literature, providing a platform for NeuroQueer artists to showcase their work and collaborate and network with the wider community.
One of the unique aspects of Dyddiau Du is its commitment to creating a sober and safe space for its visitors. The space creates a welcoming environment for individuals who may not feel comfortable in traditional bar or club settings.
Dyddiau Du is an important initiative in Cardiff, providing a valuable resource and community space for the NeuroQueer community. The library's focus on neurodivergent and LGBTQIA+ literature, combined with its commitment to creating a sober and safe space, makes it a unique and valuable addition to the city's arts and culture scene.
If you want to learn more about Dyddiau Du, you can visit their website or social media pages for the latest updates and events. @dyddiaudu https://direct.me/dyddiaudu
If you have a space in the city or the surrounding region which you’d like to share with Creative Cardiff’s community, email creativecardiff@cardiff.ac.uk to feature as part of our ‘space spotlight’.
Article written by John Evans
