Held-Space
Credit: A promotional image for How Shall We Begin Again? A image of a small tree growing a garden. The title of the performance overlays the images in subtly staggered serif font. Photo: Jo Fong. Graphic Design: Lisa Mattocks
Held-Space is a collective of Global Majority artists from across Wales engaged in a range of visual and performing arts. With the support of Artes Mundi, they meet virtually once a month to discuss individual practices, develop and engage in a series of activities such as studio assemblies, mentorships, peer-to-peer learning, commission development and workshops, and to share experiences of the difficulties in navigating the art world and challenges and benefits in being creative.
First established by Artes Mundi in 2020 with the support of Sadia Pineda Hameed and Umulkhayr Mohamed as an open assembly, it quickly evolved into a space where decisions were taken by the group collectively. In 2022, the group was supported by Farah Allibhai who coordinated meetings and assisted the development of evaluative methodologies. During this time, there was a programme of peer one-to-ones focusing on individual’s practices, as well as sequence of group crit sessions with guest artists including Prabhakar Pachpute and Amak Mahmoodian.
In January 2023, the group co-created a commission for 64 Million Artists’ January Challenge and some members also took part in a workshop with director, choreographer and performer Jo Fong looking at embodied practice. Support was also provided to enable research travel and visits.
Forthcoming, the Held-Space will work collaboratively to develop new activities and opportunities in support of each other’s practice, as well as individuals being involved in new commissions and public presentations.
Held-Space Resources
These resources were shared or developed in partnership with the workshop facilitators as part of the Held Space (Welsh POC Network) programme 2023-24. These resources are tools to support and help you navigate the ever-changing landscape of the creative industries. Use these resources as needed and apply as much of knowledge generously given.
Artist Contract Worksheet
This resource was developed to support artists when writing, reading, signing and negotiating contracts. It is designed to enable a sense of agency when working with arts organisations and understanding your needs and rights as an artist. You can use this template and advice as the foundation for developing what a contract can look like for you as a creative.
Resources Handbook
Set Goals
Having a vision is an important part of your creative development, and this Handbook gives you all the tools and resources you may need to do that. Packed with vital information and her recognisable 5 C structure, this will assist you in developing a career you envision for yourself.
How To Communicate your Artistic Practice Resource Worksheet
This exercise is designed to build the confidence needed when speaking about your creative practice in many settings, such as studio visits, speaking opportunities, developing an artist website or your artist statement. The worksheet resources provide tools to develop a statement you can use to further communicate who you are and what your practice is about, especially if it’s multi-faceted.
Expanding Your Creative Practice Zine Worksheet
If you are seeking to expand or locate your practice within social engagement, i.e., working with community groups, schools, etc, then this zine resource provides the foundation for mapping out what this could look like for you and your creative practice.
Lead As An Artist Handout
You don’t need to be in a senior or executive position to take the lead. As an artist you have the ability to determine your own creative career and development. This resource provides a foundation for exploring what ‘Leading as an Artist’ is and considerations toward how to develop yourself and practice.
Grant Writing Hacks
As part of the Held-Space programme, we invited artist and researcher Phoebe Davies to create a short video offering top tips for artists on fundraising for their practice. The video covers key advice for applying for grants, bursaries, opportunities, and public funding. Watch the video below.
