Some reflections on our research into artist-led initiatives, by Laila Diallo
THIS ARTIST-LED THING
We just completed a piece of research made possible thanks to funding from Bristol City Council through their Originators programme.
Our aim with this work was to explore existing artist-led models, and get more insight into what they do and how they do it in order to, on the one hand, inform our thinking around the development of GATHER UP and, on the other hand, shine a light on the brilliant, vital work independents are doing in the cultural sector. We would love to contribute in some way to a wider discussion about the structures that support artistic work - what they are and what they are not, what they could be.
We had four inspiring conversations with people doing inspiring things in dance: Groundwork Pro (Cardiff), Independent Dance (London), The Work Room (Glasgow), Wainsgate Dances (Hebden Bridge). We exchanged notes and shared learning and questions, spoke of joys and challenges, of resourcing the work, of need for a physical space, of building and sustaining win-win project partnerships, of cycles of fundraising, of the balancing of work and personal lives, of exploring new ways of doing things and why do it.
We are still reflecting on all those conversations and research. Mulling over. Letting it come in and out of focus as we get on with our work, and as we continue to imagine what GATHER UP might grow up to become.
In attempting to draw parallels between those four very different interlocutors, first and foremost we note the specificity of each: their difference in structure, size, access to resources, years. But also what comes to light is that, perhaps, the defining difference these artist-led projects make is to bring the perspective from the ground. Yes, maybe this is the distilled difference and crucial offer of the artist-led within our cultural landscape: an approach that is from the ground, from a place of practice, and that is informed by this location and interaction with other artists. The work needed might be to shine a brighter light on this and show that from here insightful thinking and action can emerge; ambitious and strategic thinking to match that of Board rooms, with its finger on the pulse.
SHINING A LIGHT
A list.
Recently, and as this period of research draws to a close, we hosted a meal and conversation where we invited Diverse Artists Network - another artist-led initiative based in Bristol, this one operating across art forms - to talk about their journey, and what they do and aspire to do. This event was also an invitation to our extended GATHER UP family to join in our reflection. We were curious to hear who/what artist-led projects they knew and were inspired by, inviting them also to join in the dreaming of possible futures for this artist-led thing that is GATHER UP.
We suggested that we could collate all of this and share a list of the projects and networks we came across in our research. So here it is. A list. A list that includes links for people we talked with, and links for others we wish we could have spoken to; for projects we read about; for other initiatives we know well or only vaguely. It is not an exhaustive list.
Go see. Click and glimpse at what these people do. It’s an inspiration. It truly is.
Led by artists since 1984, ID supports the development of dance through radical enquiry, learning, community-building and audience engagement.
Groundwork’s mission is to support, nourish and connect independent dance artists across Wales.
The Work Room (TWR) is an artist-led membership organisation. Our members are artists who work in dance, movement and choreography.
Wainsgate Dances hosts an international artist-led programme of workshops, residencies, performances and other dance related events.
Diverse Artists Network is a development agency for diversity in the arts, promoting cultural competency and representation in the sector. DAN brings together artists/ musicians across Bristol and the South West region, intending to build national and international networks encompassing the broadest spectrum of diversity & representation.
Artists 4 Artists is an artist-led initiative established to address the lack of access to opportunities afforded to Hip Hop artists. It champions Hip Hop dance theatre in the UK.
Chisenhale Dance Space (CDS) is an artist Member-led charity, championing experimentation in dance and performance.
Supports fast response political artworks in public spaces. A panel of artists, activists, creators and producers make decisions on applications within seven days.
creativeShift CIC is a small team of dedicated arts on referral practitioners committed to supporting people across Bristol and the South West experiencing social isolation and mental health challenges.
A collective of Black Indigenous People of Colour (BIPoC) artists in Bristol.
PAF is a user-created, user-innovative informal institution. It is a place for professional and not-yet professional practitioners and activists in the field of performing arts, visual art, literature, music, new media and internet, theory and cultural production, and scientists who seek to research and determine their own conditions of work.
A voluntary artist-run space/organisation that supports and is supported by its membership and surrounding communities in Glasgow and beyond, since 1983.
A dance company whose vision is to build a thriving dance scene in Bristol and create transformative, entertaining, world-class productions for stage and screen.
Bristol Experimental Expanded Film (BEEF) is a film and sound collective supporting experimental practice in Bristol since 2015. Members are a mix of artists, curators, producers, organisers, writers, teachers and academics
The Centre for Live Art Yorkshire (CLAY) currently hosts a community of artists who have made a base there through their membership programme. There are 12 artists and companies who subscribe to studio space there with a wide range of practices focused around liveness.
East Bristol Contemporary (ebc)
east bristol contemporary (ebc) is an artist-led gallery established in 2016. ebc seeks to counteract the lack of established showing spaces for grass roots contemporary artists in bristol, and additionally aims to support artists based in the south west. They run events for the public, including artist talks/tours, workshops, screenings, performances and opening events as well as an education programme, ebc schools.
Led by young creative thinkers, Rising Arts Agency advocates for sector and cultural change through campaigns, research projects, industry consultation and creative agency services.
Founded in Bristol, UK in 2015 by Laura Lewis-Paul, Saffron operates as a non-profit organisation that primarily offers training in music production, sound engineering and DJing, as well as running an artist development programme and record label.
Gentle/Radical is an artist-run project, interested in change. Their starting point is culture. From culture they connect community, politics, spirituality and social justice, building projects from the ground up.
Idle Women is an arts, environment and social justice collaboration founded by artists in 2015. Their projects reach for something beyond the horizon, creating transformative spaces for women that can't be cut, closed or taken away.
People Dancing is the development and membership organisation for community and participatory dance, driving forward inclusion and excellence through professional development, resources & safeguarding services, specialist programmes & networks. It supports a UK-wide network of members - dance artists, practitioners and organisations - who make great dance happen in all its diversity.
Interval is an artist led collective that shares a base at The Exchange on Corn Street, Bristol. They are a group of performance makers whose work spans, live art, contemporary theatre, dance, visual art, community work and sound art. Interval provides not only space to make but a collective within which to share, critique and push new ideas and research.
An international group of artists curating events, performances and workshops committed to highlighting improvisation as a dynamic, high skilled and inclusive art form. They seek to nurture peer to peer workshop environments for multidisciplinary artists whether early-stage artists, students or professional practitioners.
Neuk Collective is a collective of neurodivergent artists. Their work focuses on advocating for neurodivergent people in the arts.
ProDanceLeeds is an artist led project running classes for independent dance professionals.
Heartfelt thanks to Lisa May Thomas, Katy Noakes, Lauren Scholey, Deasy Bamford, Vanessa Melody, Charlie Morrissey, Heni Hale, Nikki Tomlinson, Alison Thomas, Saffy Setohy, Anita Clark, Jodi Ann Nicholson, and our extended GATHER UP family for the generosity and wisdom. We are feeling buoyed up by you all.