ACGC Artist Register Review

Audit Results, Analysis and Future Steps

Published by

Arts Care Gofal Celf

For the purpose of the application for the position of Programme Manager for WAHWN Stepping In project - some information has been redacted.

Additionally some pages have not resized for a website page accurately.

Contents

Introduction

Artist Register Review

Results

Welsh Language Proficiency

Equal Opportunities Monitoring

Artist Meetings

Wellbeing Feedback

Training Feedback

Future Steps

Introduction

During March, Arts Care Gofal Celf, undertook an audit of the register of freelance professional artist practitioners with whom we work.

The register is a key resource for our organisation and required updating with a view to achieve the following :

• Build a stronger connection with artists
• Update important information
• Clarify which artists would like to work with ACGC in the future
• Create a user-friendly and easy-to-access register
• Invite feedback on wellbeing and training opportunities
• Monitor equal opportunities of artists
• Assess the Welsh Language abilities of artists

This report hopes to gain an understanding of the current relationship that ACGC has with those on the register and find ways to improve that relationship. The abovementioned will play a vital role in analysing where there is opportunity for growth as an employer that prioritises equal opportunities, the Welsh language and professional development of local artists. In doing this, ACGC hopes to evolve as an organisation and leader of Arts in Health and Wellbeing in Wales.

At this juncture, we felt it important to ask for feedback on what training that the artists would like to see offered by ACGC. We posed questions about how we could further support them in their professional development and personal wellbeing. Additionally, we requested any information that they felt would be important for us when booking them onto a project, for example, the need for sinks or a short walking distance from the car to the space for those who carry heavy items. To conclude this section, we were curious to know whether the lead artist would feel it necessary and/or beneficial to have a supporting artist, where feasible.

On page three of the document, we requested for artists to complete a Welsh language proficiency questionnaire. The answers of which would give us a sound idea of the plausibility of delivering art sessions multi-lingually and hopefully, bilingually.

To finish, we politely requested that artists answer questions so that we could analyse the diversity and equal opportunities of those on the register. These involved questions concerning age, ethnicity, marital status, gender, religion, sexual orientation, working pattern and whether they were caregivers. The information received from this section is vital in gaining a clear understanding of the characteristics of the artists that we employ and will most importantly, highlight key areas for development.

Results

Of 89 questionnaires that were distributed, we received -

• 53 completed forms
• 3 artists requesting removal from the register

Our register is now available using an Excel spreadsheet that has all of the information provided by the artist concerning their artforms. It also lists their contact information and any support or specific considerations when booking them for sessions. For example, mobility issues and any transport obstacles.

By using an Excel spreadsheet, it offers us the chance to view all of the artist register more clearly than on SharePoint, which was clunky to use and often proved difficult to search for specific information. With 53 artists currently on the register and all of their information available at a glance, the register is now streamlined and clearer. This will accelerate navigating the register to find the right artist for a project and also ensure that we are drawing on the whole register of artists, and not a core of familiar artists.

These are the artforms available on our new register:

Ceramics,

Crafts,

Painting,

Mindfulness,

Throwing,

Building,

Creative Writing,

Art Appreciation,

Dance,

Drama,

Storytelling,

Drama Improvisation,

Yoga

Drawing,

Wire Art,

Spot Welding

Willow Sculpture,

Basketry,

Felting,

Illustration,

Visual Scribing,

Jewellery,

Textiles,

Portraiture,

Documentary Speed Sketching,

Printing,

Stained Glass,

Silversmithing,

Pyrography,

Copper Stamping,

Mosaic,

Cob,

Model Buildings,

Papier Mache,

Lanterns

Woodcarving,

Sculpture,

Woodland Skills,

Bushcraft,

Spoon Carving,

Barddoni (Poetry),

Rap,

Performaning Arts,

Tin Whistle,

Theatre Design,

Masks,

Collagraph,

Photography,

Kundalini Yoga,

Sacred Breath,

Weaving,

Cyanotype,

Belly Dance,

Creative Dance,

Women's Dance,

Spoken Word,

Clay,

Macrame,

Environmental Art,

Papier Mache,

Murals,

Silk Painting,

Collage.

Welsh Language Proficiency

Based on the information provided by the 53 artists, here are the following Welsh language proficiency statistics.

In light of the results from the Welsh proficiency questionnaire, we have implemented a Gwaith Iaith course with Dysgu Cymraeg and Aberwystwyth University.

We arranged a certified Mynediad course for the registered artists, volunteers and staff of ACGC on Monday mornings until August, 2024. After which, we will be offered the opportunity to complete an examination and receive certification of achievement at entry level.

We are currently in Week 10 of our course and it is attended by five members of staff, one volunteer and three registered artists. We also offer revision sessions on a Friday which are casual and are helpful in clarifying any sections of the course that may be causing challenges.

We are aiming to recruit more Welsh speakers as well as provide opportunities for artists to feel confident in using Welsh in their sessions.

Equal Opportunities Monitoring

Based on the information provided by the 53 artists, here are the equal opportunities statistics.

Gender

Age

Relationship

Status

Ethnicity

Disability

Religion or Belief

Sexual

Orientation

Working Pattern

Caring

Responsibilities

Analysing the above statistics, our current registered artist profile is :

Artist Meetings

In addition to the survey, we invited registered artists to meet with us. It was an opportunity to offer feedback on how we may be able to improve our relationship with artists and as well as support them in their professional development.

We offered two meetings at varying times of the day to ensure that it was possible for artists to attend.

Four artists attended in total, two per meeting, which exemplifies how much more we can do to encourage dialogue with the professional artists that are on the register.

Considerations shared by the artists were the benefits of having supporting artists and an online portal that is username and password protected for artists to access via our website and within which we had noticeboards and training modules.

It was also frequently mentioned the benefits of having events for knowledge sharing and coming together with other artists to socialise and to develop creative skills as a means to combat feelings of working in isolation.

Wellbeing Feedback

Within the questionnaire dessimated to the artists, we enquired for feedback on what we can offer to artists to support their wellbeing as they work with us.

It is important that we recognise the difficulties of working within clinical settings or with vulnerable community groups and the impact that it could have on artists.

Therefore, we have a duty of care to offer opportunities for attending to the wellbeing of artists. Listed below is their feedback :

• An annual review
  
• Informal debriefs
  
• Mentoring for young practitioners
  
• Meeting up socially
  
• Training regularly
  
• Zoom meet-ups
  
• Mentoring
  
• Team meetings
  
• Workshops that they can engage in artistically
  
• Artist and coordinator days where they can share ideas and support and connect with each other (Dance)
  
• Wellbeing days - check-in walks with the team or chat or yoga together once every few months (Dance)
  

It is important to note that a lot of the feedback from artists correlates with the impact of working in isolation, and regular training, social events and meetings all contribute to a stronger sense of wellbeing and community.

Training Feedback

Finally, an opportunity was presented to the artists to give guidance on what training would be most useful for their professional development.

We enquired as to what training artists had already received and what they would like to see offered.

Below are the results :

• Emergency Mental Health First Aid
  
• Health and Safety
  
• Creative Practice and Therapeutic Intervention
  
• Art and Mindfulness
  
• Welsh Language
  
• Skill Sharing with other practitioners
  
• Makaton
  
• Dance sharing practice to develop skills
  
• Training on gender identity awareness
  
• First Aid for epilepsy
  
• Sign language
  
• Inclusive dance - wheelchair dance
  
• Dance for people with MS and Parkinsons
  

Training Feedback

Future Steps

By looking at the results of the questionnaire, it is clear to see that there is more that could be offered to the artists to improve wellbeing and professional development and address the key issues experienced by those we employ, which are :

• Working in isolation
• Minimal opportunities to share knowledge
• Minimal opportunities to develop professionally

A solution is investing time, funding and energy into creating a network of artists, which will address all of the key issues listed above. It will create bonds and a sense of belonging among artists and provide opportunities for knowledge-sharing and training. Everything that we invest into this network and our relationship with artists will ultimately trickle-down into the sessions that the artist have with beneficiaries and will guarantee the best service to participants, project shareholders and our collaborators.

This report is being used as evidence in a bid to have financial support in establishing our network through the following ways :

• Pay for an online portal to be created
• Cover the costs of external speakers for virtual and in-person events
• Provide lunch at event days for artists
• Cover artist fees for those facilitating on event days

We will deliver virtual monthly sessions to boost wellbeing and invite speakers to join these as well as in-person event days, in which artists can put themselves forward to lead workshops to share their skills. These funds will also develop the diversity of registered artists by inviting speakers from organisations who will train artists in how to work with people with protected characteristics and who will hopefully help us to recruit people from different ethnic backgrounds, ages and sexual orientation.

By developing this online portal for artists, we can also disseminate important policy updates and training opportunities as well as administrate a noticeboard for the sharing of work and resources. This will be ideal to connect with more ruralised artists and facilitators who may struggle to attend in-person events.

Our vision is to create a connected community who come together, virtually and in-person, and learn from each other and from our invited speakers. We hope to widen engagement with those with protected characteristics and create a welcoming network of artists who support and collaborate with each other. By achieving this, we will have listened to the needs of the artists and created a bespoke response to their requests and feel privileged to support the wellbeing and professional development of artists in West Wales.