A NEW scheme at one of Cardiff’s cultural hubs is allowing visitors to “adopt” artists, filmmakers and performers.
Lovers of Chapter Arts Centre were given the opportunity to support builders and bricks during the venue’s £3.9m redevelopment.
Now that is complete, organisers have decided it is time to focus on Chapter’s artistic programme.
So people are being asked to donate £50 to encourage emerging talent and help artists in all areas of their work, from buying new materials to setting up exhibitions and performers.
Chapter Arts Centre director Janek Alexander said: “We’ve called the scheme ‘Adopting Inspiration’ and the idea is that all donations go towards helping up-and-coming artists, filmmakers and performers find that moment of inspiration and realise their vision.
“We’re always looking to support new and emerging talent at Chapter and now we have a bigger, better space, we want to spread the net wider and encourage as many artists and performers as possible.
“By getting involved in the campaign, individuals are investing in people rather than bricks and mortar.
“Patrons can come and visit our exhibitions and see new plays and films, and feel that they have been a part of it.”
One of the first artists to benefit from the scheme will be Cardiff-based artist Holly Davey, who has been selected to showcase her work in Chapter’s new 60ft lightbox.
She will use the building to mark out a series of frozen tableaux using her body to create an imprint at a given moment in time.
A final image will then be selected from a range of “snapshots” and enlarged to fill the space.
Holly’s work follows that of North Wales artist Bedwyr Williams, whose idea of filling the box with 40 giant flies has been on show in the lightbox since the venue’s relaunch in November.
Another initiative Chapter is rolling out is its Scissor Lift Syndicate, raising money to enable the arts centre to install a lift which will be able to carry up to 340kg of heavy equipment up to the theatre and backstage area.
Mr Alexander added: “So far, individual donations to the Scissor Lift Syndicate have reached £4,000, bringing Chapter halfway to its goal of £8,000.
“This means that we only need another 160 individuals to donate £25 each to reach the target.
“Installing this lift will allow larger scale theatrical productions to be staged here and it won’t limit organisations on the equipment or staging they want to use.”
If you would like to support Chapter’s fundraising initiatives visit the website at: www.chapter.org/18190.html or contact Elaina Gray at Chapter on 02920 355622 or Elaina.gray@chapter.org
