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This months round-up of creative opportunities for Welsh creatives. Including funding, grants, apprenticeships and more.

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POWER UP


Open to mid level Black music creators and professionals
Deadline: 14 March


Find out more here

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BLACK ARTISTS GRANT

Offering no strings attached support for Black British artist
Deadline: Rolling monthly

Read more here

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INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FUND

Open to individuals and organisations looking to foster artist relationships with international partners Deadline: Rolling monthly

Read more here

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COACHING PROGRAMME FOR WOMEN IN THE ARTS

Open to women working or wanting to work in the creative industry

Deadline: 28 March

Read more here

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THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME

Callout for 6 artists to put on performances at Volacano Theatre, Swansea.

Deadline: 29 March

Read more here

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IRIS PRIZE

Worlds lagest short film prize for developing LGBTQ+ short films

Deadline: 31 March

Read more here

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CRIW

Apprenticeship programme for young people looking to break into the film and TV industry in Wales

Deadline: 8 April

Read more here

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GRAND PLAN

This grant supports people of color to start new creative projects

Deadline: Mid May (date TBA)

Read more here

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BLACK BRITISH WOMAN CINEMATOGRAPHER SCHOLARSHIP

Offering a fully-funded scholarship for an MA Cinematography degree at National Film and Television School. Open to Black British women.

Deadline: 8 May
Read more here
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CULTURE MOVES EUROPE: INDIVIDUAL MOBILITY ACTION

Open to British artists to carry out arts project with a partner in another Creative Europe country

Deadline: 31 May

Read more here

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Send us an email at Hello@jukeboxcollective.com if you need any help with an application.

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Exploring streetwear culture in Ghana

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In the landscape of African fashion, Ghana stands out as a hub of creativity and innovation. Much like Nigeria’s Street Souk – the largest streetwear convention on the continent, Ghana’s streetwear scene is gaining the attention of fashion enthusiasts globally. Spearheaded by a new generation of designers, it’s a testament to the power of youth culture and creative expression.

Inspired by the DIY ethos of hip-hop culture, underground music and the skateboarding and surf scene. Ghanaian streetwear blends Western influences with local styles to communicate the lived realities of its youth. From vibrant prints to intricate detailing, it celebrates the country’s rich cultural heritage while embracing contemporary design aesthetics.

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At the forefront are homegrown brands that embody the spirit of innovation and self-expression. From Free The Youth’s commitment to social activism, to Subwae’s architecture-inspired designs. Each brand offers a unique perspective on Ghanaian identity. 

As this scene continues to grow and develop, here are six brands to watch:

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Free the youth

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Free The Youth is a collective of young creatives determined to empower Ghanaian and African youth to connect with art scenes worldwide through street-style fashion and culture. Founded as a social media-based street-style blog, it has now evolved into a multi-branched collective featuring a fashion brand, creative agency and NGO. Their apparel is known for its bold designs and thought-provoking messaging centred around liberation and social change. Over the past few years, the brand has seen a number of successful collaborations with brands such as Daily Paper, Nike and features in Vogue and GQ.

Watch our interview brand co-founder Joey Lit

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Subwae

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Blurring the lines between art and fashion, Subwae is a sustainable concept brand founded by Christopher Akpo in 2018. Drawing inspiration from architecture, art and Ghanaian landscape, the brand describes its aesthetic as continuously evolving visual social commentary. With sustainability at the heart of their ethos, the brand prioritises using sustainable materials and working collaboratively with local artisans in Accra.

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Palmwine Icecream

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Founded by British-Ghanaian creative director, Kusi Kubi, this brand bridges London’s fashion scene and the vibrant markets of Accra. Each piece begins by Kusi Kubi and his team scouring Kantamanto Market (the largest second-hand clothing market in West Africa) to source clothes and materials, which are then reimagined into unique, genderless pieces that sit at the intersection of everyday comfort and grandeur. Gold and leather are central themes in all the designs, honouring Kubi’s Ashanti heritage. From bold graphic tees to intricately embroidered jackets, Palmwine Icecream celebrates the diversity and richness of Ghanaian heritage.

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Complex Department

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Complex Department is a high-end streetwear label that is entirely sourced and produced in Ghana. It draws inspiration from the emerging youth culture, contemporary art, and craftsmanship. The brand’s collections showcase vibrant colors, cultural monograms, and bold graphics in relaxed, oversized, and tailored statement pieces. Additionally, the brand has recently launched the Complex Academy program, which is aimed at developing the entrepreneurial skills of young Ghanaian creatives navigating the creative industry.

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Common FTR

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Common FTR is a rapidly emerging streetwear brand based in Accra. The brand’s founder and creative director, Omimi Okere, emphasises that Common FTR embodies the essence of youth culture, which is defined by an unapologetic pursuit of dreams, boundless energy, and an unwavering desire to make a difference. The brand’s latest collection is inspired by the bustling streets of modern African cities and the fearless young people that inhabit them.

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Studio.kojokusi

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Founded by visual artist Kojo Kusi, StudioKojiKusi sits at the intersection of graphic art and fashion. Its designs often feature structured tailoring, bright colours, printing techniques, and intricate patchwork. With a commitment to unfiltered personal expression, this brand is gaining worldwide attention with recent features in Vogue, Nataal, and GUAP.

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As the streetwear scene in Africa continues to develop and capture a global audience, one country that stands out is Ghana. Its young and talented fashion designers are redefining the boundaries of fashion, reclaiming their cultural identity and are fearless in the pursuit of their dreams. 

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Connecting over 100 Welsh creatives across fashion, music and art at the future creatives link-up

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On October 26, we hosted the Future Creatives Link-up, connecting over 100 Welsh creatives across the emerging intersection of fashion, music and art. The event, which took place at Rhostio Cafe in Cardiff, brought together Welsh creatives for a chance to network and connect. Hosted by Liara Barusi and Cherrelle (Coco) Tucker, with sounds from DJ Dan Willow, and guest performances from music group Source. Guests were served bespoke cocktails created in collaboration with Rhostio, as well as appetisers from The Real Ting. 

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The event brought together creatives across various fields and industries from South Wales, Bangor and London. Allowing for inter-industry connection and community building. Music industry creatives included Sage Todz, DFlexxx, DJ Willis, singers Aisha Kigs, MissFaithee, and KingKhan, as well as rappers Mirari and Andrew Ogun. Fashion creatives such as brand founder Ibby Abdi, textile-designer Ophelia Dos Santos, designer Miguel Brito and hair stylist Bronwyn De Kock were also present.

The evening also hosted a number of visual artists and creators, such as Onismo Muhlanga, emerging illustrator Amarie, and graphics designer Ibby Tarafdar. Photographers Zaid Djerdi, Amber Ford, Sally Nguyen and Taiye Omokore. Many dancers were also present and could be seen leading the dance floor, these included Reuel Elijah, Patrick Gabco, Plamedi Santima-Akiso and David Udemezue.

Additionally, the event hosted a few representatives of the creative industry in Wales. Namely, Loren Henry, co-founder of our partner organisation Urban Circle. Toni Andrews founder of Lab7, representatives from Radar Magazine, and Devinda De Silva of Arts Council Wales.

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With the link-up we sought to deliver a creative industry-level event for the future creatives network that excites, inspires and creates a space for growth and connection. Utilising the event as an opportunity to introduce the Future Creatives event taking place in 2024 in St Fagans Museum, and to open channels for creatives to reach out for collaboration and partnership.

We encouraged creatives to connect with others beyond their immediate circles and industries. A networking session was facilitated by Liara Barussi and Cherrelle (Coco) Tucker, inviting creatives to join groups and answer postcards with questions they would like to ask each other.

The event also featured sounds from DJ Dan Willows, bringing a selection of hip-hop, RnB, Afrobeats and rap. As well as a guest performance from emerging local band, Source, composed of singers Adjua, Lily Webbe and Bruna Garcia. Fresh from their recent performance at Llais Festival 2023 x BBC Horizons, they delivered a soulful and captivating performance. 

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Guests were served with arrival cocktails, designed for the event in collaboration with Rhostio, inspired by Cardiff, the Caribbean and West Africa. As well as authentic appetisers from Jamaican local street food pop-up, The Real Ting.

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The link-up wouldn’t have come together without our sponsors Arts Council Wales and Vans. As well as all the creatives and local businesses that helped us put it all together. These included Naomi Ferne, Pierre Gashagaza, Joe Andrews and Tom Swindell for documentation. And our incredible team members, Liara Barusi, Lauren Patterson, Darnell Williams, Samandal Sidig, Tarina Tajul, Kairese Hawkins, Akeylah Hinton, Teaghan Scanlon and Karim. 

 

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This event was delivered as a part of our Future Creatives project. The project began in 2021 through a community investigation into the experiences of young black and minority creatives’ in Wales, and has since grown into a highly collaborative and supportive network. The project highlighted a need for more inclusion of creatives in decision-making, community-led initiatives, and tangible long-term support for artists. In response, we have made a commitment towards curating events, and opportunities for this network in 2023. And launching a major event in collaboration with St Fagans museum in 2024.

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Are you a creator based in Wales? Join our mailing list to hear about our upcoming opportunities and receive a monthly round-up of paid jobs and commissions available for Welsh creatives.

SIGN UP HERE

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A round-up of creatives opportunities available for Welsh creatives, for the month of December 2023

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Apply now to the content creation challenge

https://cultureconnect.wales/about-creative-challenge

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Find out more about the Good Ancestors Club here:

https://www.ssap.org.uk/…/the-good-ancestors-club-art…

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Find out more about 2024 Music Futures here:

https://www.nyaw.org.uk/music-futures

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Find out how you can join the Reggae & Riddim festival here:

https://reggaeriddimfestival.com/youthteam

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Read more about the international showcase fund here:

https://prsfoundation.com/…/international-showcase…/

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Read more about the create fund from Arts Council of Wales here:

https://arts.wales/funding/create

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Apply to the nextgen fund here:

https://youthmusic.org.uk/nextgen/nextgen-fund

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Read more about the artist callout for Queer Space here:

https://www.elysiumgallery.com/artist-callout-queer…/

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Find out more about the Astain fund here:

https://www.anthem.wales/apply-for-funding/

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Read more about the Weavers Grant here:

https://www.theomoormantrust.org.uk/how-to-apply

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Get in touch with us here

We know how exhausting it is as a creative to be constantly looking for new work, so that’s we curate a monthly newsletter featuring jobs, commissions and opportunities for Welsh creatives.

Sign up here 

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A go-see trip to one of the biggest festivals celebrating African and Black music and art in Africa, Our Homecoming 2023, Lagos Nigeria.

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In April 2023, we went on a go-see trip to one of the biggest festivals celebrating African and Black music and art in Africa, Our Homecoming 2023, Lagos Nigeria. Bringing along one Welsh creative from our Future Creatives network for a fully funded experience of the festival.

Homecoming is a movement founded by Grace Ladoja, a Nigerian-British MBE music mogul. Their annual festival held in Lagos is one of the largest music exchange platforms in Africa. Inviting Black artists from across the globe to perform alongside African artists from Nigeria and other parts of Africa.

Gabin Kongolo, Actor, poet and filmmaker from Cardiff, was commissioned to curate an IG takeover on the Jukebox Collective Agency page following his experience at the festival. Giving audiences insights into the events, and capturing Vox Pop moments with festival attendees. 

A highlight of the takeover can be watched HERE

The festival hosted many events and pop-ups scattered throughout Lagos, they included a fashion pop-up, art tours, panel discussions lead by creative industry experts, a sports game, live performances and many more. Throughout our trip, we connected with industry leaders, artists and brands who we hope to involve in our 2024 events.


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Our community dance classes are up and running for kids and teens in Cardiff

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Join us every week as we deliver beginner, mixed and advanced dance classes for kids (ages 7-11’s) and teens (13 – 18) in Cardiff (Ely, Grange and Butetown)

Classes cover hip-hop, street dance and afro dance in a welcoming class led by one of our incredible tutors. Focusing on foundations, learning at your own pace and exploring individual creativity through choreo and freestyle.

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Kids Classes

For those who want to get involved in a range of street styles we recommend joining our Kids Beginners and Kids Intermediate dance classes. Delivered every Tuesday in Cardiff West Community High School. As well as our Kids Mixed Ability classes every Wednesday at Butetown Community Centre. And every Thursday at Grange Pavilion.

Click here to read more!

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Teen classes


For the teens who are just starting out, we have a dedicated teens beginners dance class every Wednesday at Butetown Community Centre.

Find out more here!

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What’s Open Class?

We like to keep things fresh so every Wednesday we invite a guest tutor to deliver our Open Class, where kids and teens of all abilities are welcome to join! Open classes are a great place to learn a new dance style, step out of your comfort zone and explore your creativity. We invite tutors from all over the UK and have had classes in afro, popping, breaking and litefeet. 

Read more here!

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How much does a class cost?


£5 per class 

We also have a pay what you can scheme. Contact us or speak to any of our tutors and they’ll get you sorted

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How to sign up?


Head over to our Classfit page HERE
to sign up to the dance class you would like to attend.

You’re also welcome to turn up on the day and we’ll sign you up on the spot!

Got any questions? you can email darnell@jukeboxcollective.com with any enquiries or to sign up directly.


Classes run throughout term time, follow us on Facebook and X (Twitter) for any updates. Or sign up to our email newsletter to get them straight to your inbox.

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Jukebox Collective was invited to attend the Labrum fashion show at London Fashion Week 2023 on 17 September, as the brand unveiled its Spring/Summer 2024 collection titled Nomoli Odyssey.

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Founded in 2014, by Sierra Leone-born Foday Dumbuya. Labrum is a London-based fashion brand telling compelling stories about African culture and heritage through wearable art. As it brings together West African sensibilities with classic British tailoring, it seamlessly bridges the gap between the two worlds.

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For Spring/Summer 2024 at the London Fashion Week 2023, Labrum showcased Nomoli Odyssey, a collection inspired by the Nomoli figures of Sierra Leone, the lasting remnants of the Liberian empire. The collection effortlessly blends formal and casual elements within classic silhouettes, drenched in vibrant hues of teal, olive greens, deep blues, and muted reds.

Masquerades and folktales are explored through the textiles, monograms and embroidery that adorn each piece. While classic silhouettes are boldly exaggerated, adding movement to the garments, capturing the spirit of the 70’s migration era.

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“The storytelling of this adventure is on textiles through daring colours and patterns” says Foday. 

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Techniques such as screen printing, quilting, weave and knitwear all used to amplify the story further. Every detail represents the hopes, dreams, and aspirations of those who have sought new horizons, leaving behind traces of their vibrant cultural heritage.

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The show took place in the Four Seasons hotel at the Trinity Square, with guests seated in a circular formation, leading to a grand piano with pianist Karim Kamar and soul-singer Tawiah guiding the show through hypnotic arrangements. The venue, once the Port of London Authority, resonates with the migration stories that inspired the collection, paying homage to thousands of migrants who once passed through the building as they arrived in London in search for a better life.

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The collection kicked off with former Arsenal forward Ian Wright sporting a subtly monogrammed blue suit. Unknown T also made an appearance, showcasing Labrum’s collaboration with Netflix’ Top Boy and Hackney Wick FC in a classic British tracksuit adorned with pyramid patterns and golden embroidery. Other runway guest appearances included rapper Wretch 32, and presenter Eddie Kadi.

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Labrum’s SS24 collection also featured their exciting collaboration with Adidas. As models took to the runway sporting the revived Y2K Sambas, alongside the Stan Smith and adiFOM Mule, all decorated in textiles and artwork inspired by Nomoli.

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“The shoe is reimagined and adorned with our Mende and Temne mask repeat print and features our latest Nomoli figurine. With the collection and the Adidas Samba we celebrate the interconnectedness of humanity.” declared Labrums founder.

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Weaving together history, culture and contemporary fashion, Labrum seamlessly combines West African and British styles as it positions itself at the forefront of high fashion and Black culture.

Images: courtesy of Labrum.

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A special edition of Creative Opportunities Round-Up featuring Arts Council of Wales

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With so much going on in the creative industry, it can be easy to forget that Arts of Council of Wales has funding available for Welsh creatives all year round. So for this edition of creative opportunities round up, we’ve broken down all their funding options and how you can apply to them.

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CREATE FUND

The main funding option from Arts Council of Wales. Ranging from £500 to £50,000 in funding, and available for individuals and organisations, this fund supports the creation of high quality public art.

Find out more here

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CREATIVE STEPS FUND 

In recognition of some of the obstacles that individuals and organisations face, this fund was specifically created by Arts Council of Wales to address those barriers. By providing dedicated funding and access support, this fund ensures that public art is accessible and reflective of our diverse communities.

Find out more here

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INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FUND

This fund is for individuals and organisations looking to collaborate on art projects with international partners. It supports two-way collaboration, helping Welsh art reach audiences abroad and the exposure of Welsh people to art from other nations and cultures.

Find out more here

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FOUR NATIONS INTERNATIONAL FUND 2023

A new pilot fund launched in collaboration between the arts councils of the four nations in the UK, namely Arts Council England, Arts Council Northern Ireland, Arts Council of Wales/Wales Arts International and Creative Scotland. This fund is designed to facilitate art collaborations across the UK and with international partners.

Find out more here

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FUTURE WALES FELLOWSHIP

Supported by Arts Council of Wales, Natural Resources Wales, National Trust and Elan Valley Trust. This fund supports 8 individual artists or creative individuals to spend 16 months undertaking creative research on the theme of “connection to nature”.

Find out more here

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Get in touch with Arts Council of Wales here 

Find more about access support here

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Get in touch with us here

We know how exhausting it is as a creative to be constantly looking for new work, so that’s we curate a monthly newsletter featuring jobs, commissions and opportunities for Welsh creatives.

Sign up here 

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We’re on the lookout for our next Participation & Programme Manager. This is an exciting role for anyone interested in artist development and community engagement. 

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For this role you’ll work with young people from diverse backgrounds. Developing programmes that nurture their creativity and equip them with the skills, knowledge and confidence they need to flourish in the creative industry. 

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As the participation manager, you will lead our multidisciplinary community classes. These are regular classes that we deliver to young people across Cardiff. Offering relevant, accessible, progressive dance and music classes for ages 11-18. 

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As the programme manager, you will support the next generation of creatives through our academy. Jukebox Academy provides a unique opportunity for students to develop artistically and fulfil their potential to shape positive, creative futures. This three-year artistic development programme equips students with the creative skills, knowledge and confidence to prosper. 

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Securing partnerships with leading arts organisations and clients is integral to the role. We organise regular community outreach projects, training opportunities and specialist workshops across Wales and beyond.

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Another exciting aspect of this role is working with the local creative community. You will help produce events that feature and collaborate with our growing network of creative Welsh talent.

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Finally, as a manager of one of our main strands, you will grow our reach and impact through strategic funding and opportunities. As a black-led non-profit organisation, we must consistently transform and adapt to deliver on our commitment to empowering creative talent in Wales; securing funding and opportunities is how we stay resilient and ensure our survival. 

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As an organisation, we are guided by the values of curiosity, integrity, resilience, kindness, and initiative. We aim to inspire and enable talented people to do their best work in environments that foster personal and professional growth.

If this sounds like the role for you, we’d love to hear from you! Download the full job description below and apply now.

Closing date:

18 Sep 2023

Programme & Participation Manager job description

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Jukebox Academy music students perform at Diff Ambition Youth Music Showcase alongside a line up of emerging Welsh talent

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Jukebox Academy music students, Kayz, MS, Aerial, One84k, Eddie, Moe, Young Tay and 4SZN, delivered an unforgettable performance at the Diff Ambition Youth Music Showcase, alongside a lineup of emerging Welsh talent.

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Eddie led the showcase with his solo performance, delivering his latest track, with the rest of the artists , Kayz, MS, Aerial, One84k, Moe, Young Tay and 4SZN, performing a group set highlighting their individual styles.

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The event was the first of a series of live music showcases presenting emerging 12-18 talent in Cardiff. Presented by Anthem Cymru at the iconic St. Davids Hall on 26 July. This first wave of artists included rising D&B selector DJ Beats, singer-songwriter Ella, eclectic performer Elvis Fiera, Welsh indie-pop band Gwenu, MC Chaos of Sound Progression and New Era, rap lyricist MC Kaybee, and vocalist Mill$. 

The event was hosted by the emerging MC MissCheif, with guest performance by BBC’s Introducing Wales Artist, Rightkeysonly.

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Anthem Cymru is an organisation supporting young people making and learning music in Wales. Established in 2018, through their work, they enable access to music by generating opportunities across genres and communities and nurturing diverse talent to take the next steps to musical careers. 

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Jukebox Academy, in partnership with Lab7, presents Find Your Sound, a music programme for teens in Cardiff.

Through weekly studio sessions, we explore all aspects of music creation and provide mentorship, industry insight sessions, go-sees and showcases, to equip students with the skills and experiences needed to become professional music artists.

If you’re a young person between 13-18 years old in Cardiff and want to kickstart your music career, check out the page below to find out how you can take part in our programme.

FIND YOUR SOUND

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