The Chapter Arts Centre, one of Europe’s largest arts centres renowned for their encouraging work with artists, will this year be taking their support one step further as they launch the Peilot Associate Artist Programme. Funded by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and the Arts Council of Wales, the scheme selected several vibrant new artists and companies centred on dance, theatre, live art, and music, and will be providing three years of support through both financial and artistic means. The artists selected will not only receive three years of dedicated assistance from the Peilot Creative producer Cathy Boyce, but also receive opportunities like use of rehearsal space, funding, and a supportive programme designed to best create new work.
The chosen artists, a selection of both companies and individuals, have a variety of different talents between them, from poetry and theatre to music and dance. Friday’s special launching event revealed the names of these artists, and details about the programme.
The chosen artists are: Tim Bromage, who has presented at numerous festivals and whose work draws on areas of folklore and stage magic; Be Aware Productions, a company founded last year by Pınar Öğün, which creates innovative performances with international dimension; Common Wealth, an award-winning theatre company creating political and contemporary work with electronic sound and visual design; Rhodri Davies, a harp and electric-harp player who won the 2012 Foundation for Contemporary Arts, Grants to Artists Award; Jo Fong, a director, choreographer, and performer who has worked with National Theatre Wales and who is currently touring the UK; and Triongl, a company created by Valmai Jones, Rebecca Knowles, and Rebecca Smith-Williams, whose range of experience and diversity helps them create pieces of humour and social relevance.
Peilot Creative Producer Cathy Boyce says she’s “excited to be working with such a brilliant cohort of artists”, and that she cannot wait to “connect Peilot artists with new audiences”. The programme, running for the first time, will maximise international opportunities for artists and partnership working.
Peilot: Chapter Associate Artist Programme, Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. Info: 029 2030 4400 / www.chapter.org
words DAISY FARROW