I first heard about Creative Cardiff whilst studying for my MA in Arts Management at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama (RWCMD) back in 2017. Having moved from Caernarfon, where it is easier to travel by train to London than Cardiff, I was somewhat unfamiliar with the creative landscape in our Welsh capital. I’d always assumed I’d need to try to find a job in London once I finished my degree, thinking it was a necessary first step to begin my career in the creative industries.
Shortly after starting my studies at RWCMD, Sara Pepper delivered a session on creative cities, where she talked about the wealth of creativity and creative innovation in Cardiff. It was the first time I seriously thought about staying in Wales to find my first creative role. This thought grew and solidified the more I experienced the arts and creative industries in the city.
Five years later, my respect and admiration for our creative community, especially after an exceptionally challenging few years, remains. Cardiff’s creativity is unique and exciting, it’s bilingual, cross-sector and is constantly evolving and growing in a collaborative and supportive space. I’m continually amazed by our creative community, as well as by the array of creative spaces we have available to us. Since moving here, I’ve met some inspiring Cardiff-based creatives whilst working at the Wales Millennium Centre, Literature Wales, RWCMD, on Hay Festival’s Writers at Work programme, and more recently, at Cardiff University. I’m thrilled (and nervous!) to start my new role at Creative Cardiff and look forward to meeting you all.
My first creative jobs: Getting to know creativity in Cardiff
My first role with a creative professional development project
Whilst at Literature Wales as a communications placement student in 2018, I worked as a Project Co-ordinator on Hay Festival’s Writers at Work scheme. This professional development scheme ran during the 11 days of the festival and served to nurture Welsh or Wales-based writing talent during a series of workshops with acclaimed writers, with opportunities to network and engage with the industry. I returned in 2019 and this scheme allowed me to meet some fantastic Cardiff-based (and Wales-based) writers and I’ve loved seeing what they have gone on to accomplish.
Working at my first festivals and events
I volunteered at Bafta Cymru in St David’s Hall and the multi-venue Sŵn Festival in 2019. At Bafta Cymru, I worked on the red carpet with the PR team, and as a Production and Artist Liaison volunteer with Sŵn. Volunteering at both within a few months of one another showed me first-hand the variety of creative endeavours in the city. From its thriving music scene to our successful television, gaming, and film industry, it was a rewarding experience to witness the work that goes on behind the scenes to showcase creative talent.
The National Eisteddfod is always one of the most important events in my calendar, and I particularly enjoyed seeing it widen access to new audiences in 2018, with free entry to the festival site in Cardiff Bay. In this picture, I’m with my friend Josh, who had never heard of the Eisteddfod before this year, and he enjoyed listening to Band Pres Llareggub and Omaloma with us! I worked on RWCMD’s stall that year and loved hearing from the Cymraeg curious (or just Eisteddfod curious!) about their experience at the festival. It was lovely seeing new faces, hearing new voices and opening the doors of Welsh language culture to the whole of Cardiff and beyond.
Working in my first full-time creative role
Whilst studying and working at RWCMD, I attended a range of live performances and exhibitions, constantly in awe of the talent of our emerging new actors, singers, designers, stage managers, technicians, musicians and everything in-between. I went to regular production meetings, dress and tech rehearsals and then went to see as much as I possibly could in the theatre, studio, gallery, foyer and concert hall.
My first few days at Creative Cardiff
For the first few days in my new role I’ve been trying to research and read as much as I can about our creative community, as well as familiarise myself with Creative Cardiff’s work and getting to know our network. Working with Vicki Ball, our Project Manager, I’ve been learning about our recent projects and their impact, such as our Joining the Dots research, our creative Cardiff, our creative place storymap, CAER heritage project and Community Gateway Project. I’m excited to work with the team to plan and communicate our new activity, and continually engage with our network.
Share your story
In my first few weeks, I’m particularly interested in meeting our network and sharing the story of our creative community. If you would like to tell us about one of your Creative Firsts, a first job or first project or even first time networking post-lockdown, I’d love to hear from you. I’m also eager to hear from those who would like to share how Creative Cardiff has helped them in their creative career, from those who’ve found a job through our Jobs section, found work (or someone to work with) through our network directory or taken part in one of our projects, events or podcasts.
Please email us at creativecardiff@cardiff.ac.uk if you’re interested in sharing your story with us and our network.
