John Evans, Events and Projects Officer
At Creative Cardiff, we see change in many forms. It might be trying out a new creative medium, stepping into an unfamiliar industry, or navigating a completely different work environment. It can also mean acknowledging the broader shifts happening across the creative landscape – whether that’s adapting to new technologies, responding to societal shifts, or making space for voices that haven’t always had one.
And if I can be honest here: in this sector, if you’re not adapting and changing, you’re already behind the curve.
Throughout April, I’ve been getting comfortable with the uncomfortable. We hosted our second GORWEL event in partnership with Lone Worlds, where we explored the world of opera with the brilliant Christian Hey. Opera is a whole new creative sub-sector for me, but it was refreshing to step into something I knew little about and come away with a deeper appreciation – and maybe a soft spot for dramatic arias…We also had a surprise visit from S4C’s Newyddion team, who came to film the event and conduct interviews. I was grateful and beyond proud that GORWEL was given the platform at such a crucial time when our support is needed the most. A huge diolch to everyone involved. Read the article and watch the segment.
Before I pass on to Carys and Tori, I wanted to challenge myself in the spirit of this month’s theme – so I did something I don’t often do: I attended a new event on my own. The session, run by Spindogs, was all about web accessibility and inclusive design, and it turned out to be not only relevant to my work but also genuinely eye-opening. I met some great people, stepped out of my comfort zone, and learned new ways of thinking about how we design digital spaces to be more inclusive. It was a small act of change for me personally, but a reminder that embracing new experiences – especially solo ones – can lead to surprising benefits in both work and life. Plus, I didn’t get lost or sit in the wrong room, so I’m counting that as a win!
Carys Bradley-Roberts, Creative Cardiff Manager
Change can be scary, unsettling, exciting or inspiring, or sometimes – probably most of the time - a mix of these things.
For me, an unconscious response to change, which I’ve been consciously thinking about since Krystal Lowe’s brilliant talk at our Creative Cuppa in April, is to consider change in the context of your core values. By doing so, it helps remind you of what’s important and that you’re still working to the same goal, regardless of the different or evolving ways this can manifest.
When change takes you away from your values, that’s when it should be resisted or questioned.
Change doesn’t always have to be big or life-changing, it can also mean trying something new and getting out of your comfort zone. For the Creative Cardiff team, we’ve found lots of ways to embrace new challenges this month, including being interviewed for S4C’s Newyddion about GORWEL- our partnership with Lone Worlds to champion trans+ creatives, researching new methods to initiate networking at our events and scoping a new regional events series in Barry and Caerphilly. Ymlaen!
Tori Sillman, Digital Content Officer
“Ch-ch-ch-changes!” I sing, palms on cheeks staring into the distance channelling my best Bowie. April has been a month of meaningful change and eye-opening experiences. One of the most impactful moments was attending Creative Cardiff's 'Gorwel' event, where I gained a deeper understanding of the opera world through a queer lens - an experience that refreshed and expanded my perspective on representation in the arts. I also had the chance to attend a music meetup with key venue operators and stakeholders from across Cardiff’s music scene. It was a rare and valuable moment where everyone came together in one room to openly share ideas, explore best practices, and discuss how we can collaborate more effectively to strengthen and grow the local music ecosystem.
Embracing change on a personal level, I took a bold step and hosted my very first panel at the Lovely Town music industry and networking festival in Swansea. It was a little daunting at first but unravelled to be super enjoyable and a rewarding experience. The panel focused on exploring opportunities beyond Swansea, sparking conversations about how expanding horizons can drive real change for young musicians.
All of these moments reinforced the power of change, community and dialogue in shaping a more inclusive, dynamic future for the arts in Wales.
Right, I’m signing off to chat to Matthew Kelly about a Stars in Their Eyes reboot... ch-ch-changes...
