Awen’s Associate Artist programme

Awen Cultural Trust is pleased to launch its second round of its two-year Associate Artist programme, aimed at those currently under-represented within Awen and the creative and cultural sector.

The registered charity is looking for applicants for three new freelance positions from artists of any discipline who identify as Deaf, disabled or neurodiverse, part of the global majority, queer/trans or and/or a Welsh speaker.

Artists will work with Awen on a range of flexible creative opportunities over a two-year period from April 2026, with a total fee of £4,500 available each year (£9k total) per Associate Artist including expenses.

Artists should be aligned to our aim of making lives better through creativity, with opportunities to deliver workshops, projects and live indoor and outdoor events with our Creative Wellbeing team, support masterclasses and productions for Bridgend Youth Theatre, deliver creative libraries opportunities, create artistic trails and events throughout Bryngarw Country Park, and performances, installations and exhibitions within our live music and theatre venues.

The successful applicants will work across Bridgend County Borough and in Pontypridd and Abertillery.

Opportunities will be flexible to fit in and around your existing commitments. We welcome and encourage artists of all disciplines who are both emerging or established to apply.

If you wish to be considered please send your CV and cover letter or a short video application, if preferred, by Friday 27th February to Claire Cressey, Head of Theatres & Creative Wellbeing, Awen Cultural Trust: .

Funded by Arts Council of Wales and Welsh Government.

• To work with a variety of creative teams at Awen Cultural Trust, to deliver creative project outcomes as agreed. These may include workshops, installations, performances and projects in line with your art form. Activities will be contracted separately each time.
• Teams include Theatres, Creative Wellbeing, Libraries and Bridgend Youth Theatre. Locations include the county borough of Bridgend, Pontypridd and Abertillery.
• To input into the development of Awen’sEquity, Diversity and Inclusion action plan and/or Welsh Language action plan through attendance at working group meetings as relevant.
• Where relevant, to enter into free mentoring or professional development training opportunities offered by Awen.
• To enter into and support Awen’s evaluation process for all projects and the Associate Artists programme.