Frequently Asked Questions

Culture Swindon

What does Culture Swindon do?

Culture Swindon is part of Swindon Borough Council. Along with running the Swindon Arts Centre in Old Town, Create Studios digital media centre, Artsmad, Mobile Media and Artsminds, we also promote visual arts, organise exhibitions, and festivals and events, including the Bowl concerts. Swindon Museum and Art Gallery, and Lydiard House and Park are also part of Culture Swindon. We work in partnership with other arts organisations both in Swindon and regionally.

Can I get some help and support to develop my career in the arts?

The Culture Swindon team offers a support and guidance service for local and aspiring artists, or anyone looking for a career in the arts and creative sector. If you know what are you are interested in you can contact the following direct.

Visual Arts: Barbara Dixon

Film and Digital Media: Keith Phillips

Music Technology: Stuart Webb, John Farrow

Digital Technology:John Farrow

Literature:Matt Holland

Theatre: Clarry Bean

Festivals: Liz Lavender

Arts Management: Helen Miah

Schools & Youth Arts:Kirsty Carter

Marketing: Nicola Western

For general enquiries, or if you’re not sure where to start, contact Helen Miah and have a good browse through our develop yourself web pages to find out more.

How can I develop my skills?

There are many ways. You could volunteer at the Arts Centre, do some work experience, talk to a professional in one of our many surgeries, or attend a course.

Local artist/ event support/ what is Artsminds?

Artsminds, an initiative managed by Swindon Borough Council Arts Services, is a free forum and network for Swindon's creative arts practitioners and supporters. With over 200 members across all art forms it is the easiest way to get in touch and network with like minded people.

How can I get a job with Culture Swindon?

Check out Swindon Borough Council’s jobs pages but come along and volunteer, enjoy some work experience first.

Do you provide funding for arts activities?

Culture Swindon has a very small project fund, which can be used to support specific grant applications where leverage is required. Guidance and advice from Culture Swindon on grant applications/project development can be classified as support in kind for funding applications. Please discuss any grant applications where you would like support with Helen Miah.

Culture Swindon often works on specific projects, which meet a number of Council priorities. As a team we develop, manage and deliver a variety of arts activities with a range of community groups. Often this is in partnership with other local arts organisations and/or artists.

What is Artsmad?

Thousands of Swindon children and young people have been involved with the arts, thanks to Artsmad. From dance to drama, music to creative writing, digital art to visual art, youngsters - from the age of three to 25 - have been enjoying great experiences. Artsmad is a local strategic development initiative driven by Swindon Borough Council Arts Services and Arts Council England. It is working in partnership with local and regional organisations to provide access to high quality arts experiences for children and young people.

What is Create Studios?

Create Studios is a digital media centre offering everyone opportunities to get involved with video, film, scripts, 2 & 3D computer animation, sound, photography, and web design. Whether people are established in their career, just starting out, or just in it for fun, Create has something to offer everyone.

What is Mobile Media?

Mobile Media is the youth arm of Create Studios and offers opportunities for young people to get involved with video, film, scripts, computer animation, sound, photography, and web design. Through Mobile Media, over 7,000 young people – from age 7 to 25 - have learnt how to make films, create animations and get involved in other digital technologies.

How can I get involved with making a film?

You can take part in one of our regular film-making courses or sign up as a volunteer. If any of our regular users are making a film, they often come to us for volunteers for crew or acting.

Do you show short films made by local filmmakers?

We are part of an annual, county-wide, series of competitive screenings called Preloader. Films are judged by industry professionals, and winners are usually awarded production support for their next project.

Can I hire equipment?

Yes, please see our equipment list and email John Farrow with your requirements.

Can you produce DVDs in bulk or transfer from film or VHS?

Create does have equipment capable for doing these things, but we strongly advise going to other companies who are dedicated to these services. There is a good list in the Yellow Pages.

Do you make corporate videos?

We do. For a recent example, go to http://www.creativeswindon.org.uk

One of Create’s aims is to support local creative companies. Our commissioned production strand is one way we do this. Our productions are produced and directed by the best local talent. Productions also provide genuine work opportunities for recent graduates and other skilled volunteers.

Who decides what acts get shown at the Arts Centre?

Clarry Bean is the Arts Centre programming manager. He attends the Edinburgh Festival each year, along with other research trips, and then commissions suitable acts. Local drama groups also perform at the Arts Centre.

I’m from a local drama group? Can we perform at the Arts Centre?

Possibly. To talk more, please contact Clarry Bean, Arts Centre Programming Manager.

How can I get work experience at the Arts Centre?

Contact Matt Davis, explaining your age and what you want to gain from the experience.

I would like to volunteer at the Arts Centre – what do I do?

See our pages on volunteering. If that sounds like you, then contact Jean Goodall.

What rooms/spaces do you hire at the Arts Centre?

We have a studio space for art and other classes.

Gallery one is ideal for larger meetings, while gallery two is a smaller meeting space.

We also have the 212-seater auditorium, which is ideal for seminars etc.

How can I book rooms at the Arts Centre for a meeting or performance?

Please email Clarry Bean or telephone 01793 466565.

When is the One Act Play Festival?

The Harold Jolliffe One Act Play Festival takes place at the Arts Centre in February each year, and is a competitive festival run by the Swindon and District Theatre Guild. For further details visit their information page.

Does the Council organise the Swindon Festival of Literature?

Swindon Borough Council, and in particularly its Culture Swindon and Library Service, plays a key part in Festival organisation in many ways. It provides venues, partnerships, programming ideas, marketing, and other support in kind. Crucially, it also provides an annual grant to the Festival, as well as financial support to its organiser to create literature development events within the main programme. The Swindon Festival of Literature is a project of the Lower Shaw Farm Association in Shaw, West Swindon, where it was founded in 1994 and has its head office. Its organizer is Matt Holland. He has the direct support of a team of six, representing sponsors and users.

Do you run the Mela?

Swindon Borough Council’s Festivals and Events Officer co-ordinates the Mela, in partnership with the community organisation Swindon Mela.

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Culture Swindon Frequently Asked Questions