ABOUT AM
AM was launched as the first digital website and app platforming digital arts in Wales in March 2020. In its first three years it grew as a home to over 380 channels (a combination of artists and creative organisations), over 230 000 unique users and over 8000 piece of content - a new digital presence and cultural audience for Wales. It is a platform based on facilitating and promoting an inclusive bilingual cultural Wales, therefore Welsh language content, disabled arts content, LGBTQ+ content and content from culturally and ethnical diverse artists are a proactive priority. It is also a platform aiming to give equal access to new and established, small and bigger creators/establishments, whilst bringing more community creativity to a national ‘stage’. During our first year we have learned a lot, shaping our future direction and what we’re aiming to offer. The idea behind this project is to bring all those insights and questions together through investigation and sharing, to learn some of the next steps in the digital journey of the arts in Wales and for the development of AM as a crucial part of that journey..
WHAT KIND OF ORGANISATIONS CAN APPLY?
- All organisations must have, or be open to creating, a channel on AM.
- We are aiming to support smaller and/or less well-resourced organisations that may feel they have struggled digitally due to lack of resources or experience.
- We are particularly interested in ensuring that the programme's participants represent a balanced mix in terms of language, diversity and equalities as well as geographic spread.
PROGRAMME OUTCOME AND TARGETS
The programme will consist of two ‘Digital Journeys’, devised according to your artistic programme, ambitions and current situation in relation to digital working. Eestablish programme timelines and plan for the inclusion of mentoring support from the programme leader and AM staff. Whilst not limited to these themes, the participant needs could focus on partnerships, marketing, audience understanding and data analysis.
CRITERIA
Selection of the Digital Journeys participants will be carried out by AM staff Alun Llwyd, Mari Hedd Lewis, Lea Glyn and one member of PYST Cyf Board.
The criteria for selection will be based on:
- The innovation and challenge of the idea as presented
- Current need, also taking into consideration the organisation’s size and resource
- Track record around digital working
- Language, equality and diversity, geographic spread
WHAT IS THE ASK OF SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS?
- Flexibility in terms of attending lab sessions to plan and identify areas that need tackling to establish the expertise required to fulfil your ambition
- Complete a survey at the end of the programme to note your experience and opinions.
The timing of the lab workshops will be dictated by the participant’s artistic programme. Flexibility will be required in the completion of the individual labs and for the final feedback.
Transparency and buy-in to the Digital Journey concept and the sharing of experiences and learning with other participants is a crucial part of this programme. AM will utilise all opportunities to learn and evolve our practice through this programme. We are seeking to enhance our offer and better serve the sector in future, and the more innovative and challenging areas of practice are of interest to us.
TIMELINE
Selection of participants
Start date of the programme will be established in collaboration with the successful cohort of applicants, but we envisage starting the programme at the beginning of September 2024.
Whilst we anticipate many organisations could complete this programme within two to three months, we are prepared to support some journeys up to (but no-longer than) 6 months.
WHAT WILL SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS GAIN FROM THE PROGRAMME?
The benefits of Digital Journeys to your organisation will be multiple and varied:
- Free, intensive and bespoke mentoring alongside practical advice around routes to market and promote your content
- Continuous support from the programme leader - freedom for the organisation or participants to ask questions within one-to-one sessions
- Structures and relationships created for long term digital growth in a virtual and blended environment
HOW DO I APPLY?
To apply to be a part of the Digital Journeys programme, you will need to submit an application that addresses the above context and includes:
1. Your current digital situation, noting specifically:
- Current programme of digital work
- What you feel your greatest strength is in relation to digital working
- What you feel your greatest weakness is in relation to digital working
2. Your organisation set-up and background
- Number of staff
- Organisation structure
- Brief description of your track record and current area of work
3. Noting which members of staff within your organisation will be involved in the programme (at a minimum, this needs to include team member with decision making responsibility around this area of work)
All submissions must be submitted by filling out a form by the 12th of June. Apply HERE
If you would like to discuss any aspect the Digital Journeys programme in advance of submission, or if you have any further questions around your application, please email mari@pyst.net