Arise 2024
Applications are open for Arise 2024!
Fio and Wales Millennium Centre are thrilled to present Arise. We are seeking 8 people from the Global Majority who are looking to take the next steps in their creative careers. Arise is a year-long programme running from September 2024 to September 2025.
This opportunity is paid, you will receive £150 a month to support you to attend the sessions.
What happens on the programme?
Each month, the group will take part in an industry-led masterclass, plus you will have an individual 1:1 session focusing on you own career goals and a 1:1 with a bespoke industry mentor. We will assign you a mentor based on your special interests. The masterclass will take place on one evening in the month at Wales Millennium Centre, and the 1:1s will take place at a time that suits you online.
Practical experience
Across the year, you will have the opportunity to work on three projects, with Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, BBC Audio and S4C. With Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, you’ll have the chance to collaborate with theatre designers, and bring a concept for a theatre production to life in model box design. This is all about collaboration with other creative team members, developing your peer networks and honing your creative vision. John Norton, Producer of BBC Audio Drama will give a masterclass, and there will be opportunities to sit in the BBC studios and observe some audio drama recordings, and then the group will be supported to create and direct their own audio dramas. S4C will provide a masterclass about getting into TV, the commissioning process, and will offer you support to secure a placement with a production company in Wales to experience how TV is made.
Making your own work
At the end of the year, you will have the opportunity to create your own piece of work according your creative discipline. This will be filmed with a professional production company for you to add to your portfolio, as well as shared at a public celebratory event at Wales Millennium Centre to finish the programme.
Your creative background
You can be from any creative background, with any creative discipline; you might be a director, writer, producer, filmmaker, photographer, facilitator, dancer, choreographer, musician, artist. You may have transferrable skills from something you’re already doing, and be really passionate about getting into the creative cultural sector. We’re looking for people who already have some experience but are looking to upskill and take their careers to the next level.
Examples from our pilot year of Arise
Here are some examples of previous work created from participants of Arise 2023:
The programme promises to provide hands on practical experience in the cultural field, as well as a bespoke journey of self-development. We want to help take you to the next level of your career.
Who are the programme leaders?
Sita Thomas
Dr Sita Thomas is a Welsh-Indian cultural leader and creator based in Cardiff. She is Artistic Director and CEO of Fio, a theatre company that focuses on creating work with Welsh Global Majority creatives and participants. She is Creative Associate at Wales Millennium Centre and Associate Artist at National Youth Theatre.
Sita holds a PhD from the University of Warwick and a Masters in Movement Direction from Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, both funded by Arts and Humanities Research Council. She is a trustee of Emergency Exit Arts and Young Vic, and is part of the advisory groups for Refugee Week and Movement Directors’ Association. Sita is also a presenter of Channel 5’s milkshake!
Ndidi John
Ndidi John is an author, scriptwriter, actor, musician, spoken word artist and wellbeing practitioner; a combination of skills which enable her to take a holistic approach to creative activism. A seasoned storyteller, her exceptional communication skills resonate through her therapeutic stories which demonstrate her understanding of the metaphysics of life. Her commitment to providing a better future for all has been the driving force for GoGo Wellbeing, an initiative crafted over years to offer an individualistic cultural approach to meaningful change across the arts, education and business sectors.
Jain Boon
Jain Boon (she/her) is an award-winning Trauma Informed theatre professional with over 35 years of experience of co-producing theatre that places people’s experience of adversity and trauma centre stage with the aim of reducing stigma and isolation. She is passionate about the democratisation of mental health and wellbeing and believes that the arts create a space for connection and healing.
Emma Evans
I have worked in at a senior level in the arts, cultural and public sector for over 15 years. As a Producer I have worked with a range of Companies from new-writing to physical theatre, dance to outdoor arts.
I am currently Head of Creative Experiences at Wales Millennium Centre leading on the strategic development of all WMC’s work with artists, young people and communities including development of Digital Experiences, Cabaret and Llais festival.
Prior to joining Wales Millennium Centre I had a successful portfolio career as a producer and consultant leading and developing National projects such as Hynt a Wales wide ticketing scheme supporting audiences with additional needs to access theatres and arts centres.
How to apply?
Please fill in the below application form by midday 29 July 2024.
Want to find out more?
We’ll be holding an online Q&A where you’re welcome to come and ask any questions and get to know more about the programme on Wednesday 10th July 5.30-6.30pm. We will have representatives from the partner organisations there to chat with you.
Have any further questions?
