Socially Engaged Practice Artist for Dyfi co-design community coastal adaptation project
“Art is a powerful storyteller. Artists can tell the stories of communities affected by climate change, the challenges of activists, or the possibility for a more sustainable future through paintings, sculptures, photos, or even performance art. These tales might humanize the problem and make it relatable.”
(Muhammed Badamasi and Idongesit Amba, 2022)
We are looking for an artist to support and develop a creative and collaborative exploration to help deliver our co-designed digital coastal adaptation handbook.
Tir Canol has been working with the Dyfi community since Autum 2024 to co-design a handbook that will help community members understand the possible changes in the coastline due to climate change and the methods used to manage the change. The vision for this work is to empower communities effected by climate change and give them the knowledge and power to engage with consultations and decisions that affect their landscape.
This work has been started by our wonderful Coastal Officer who will be going on maternity leave at the end of September. To continue to maintain and build on relationships formed during the process so far we are looking for a Community Engagement Artist to step in and ensure continuity of relationships with the community.
We expect the Community Engagement Artist to support the wider project aims, enabling the designers and Tir Canol team in deepening the work with the Dyfi community and place.
We would like the contract to start at the beginning of August to give the Artist time to embed with the team and the community and to become part of the co-design group, drawing in creative tools and processes to this phase of the work.
There will be opportunities for the Community Engagement Artist to participate in the co-design workshops who are designing the handbook. Once all the workshops are completed in the Autum there will be a period of drawing together information for the digital handbook and other assets.
In addition to attending the co-design workshops we envisage the Community Engagement Artist will spend time with the Dyfi community, engaging listening and reflecting on their climate context, with most time in situ between August and January.
Expected Outcomes
This project aims to achieve the following key outcomes:
- Empowered Co-design Group: Members of the co-design group will clearly understand and be able to explain the critical need for a community-led adaptation handbook.
- Increased Community Awareness: The broader Dyfi community will gain a deeper understanding of future predictions for their area, alongside potential strategies to adapt to or lessen negative impacts.
- Community Agency and Resource: The Dyfi community will have access to a valuable resource that empowers them to understand and effectively respond to future government proposals for coastal adaptation plans.
- Artist's Central Role: The artist's role isn't to create a specific artwork. Instead, they will be central to exploring effective ways to communicate climate change information to diverse audiences. They'll also facilitate cohesive, community-led adaptation planning through creative and inclusive processes.
Timeframe:
We are looking for an Artist that can commit to 35 days in the Dyfi between August 2025 and January 2026.
Key workshop dates 18th August, 8th September, 2nd October
Requirements
We would expect the Artist to have good communications skills in both Welsh and English to deliver this role. We are looking for artists who have clear knowledge of the Dyfi area, and an understanding of the communities we are working with.
Budget
£300 per day x 35 days = £10,500
£1000 materials
Budget to cover T&S to be negotiated
How to apply:
- Covering letter or short film telling us
- Why you would like to be involved in this project?
- A clear methodology outlining the approach, and develop relationships with the community
- CV and examples of previous work
- Details of a referee
Deadline
Application deadline 12pm 28th July
Interviews 1st August
Please send applications to Tir Canol Programme Manager Alice Briggs alice.briggs@rspb.org.uk