Queer Creations

SPAN Arts works to create platforms for diverse voices across our community.

As a rural community, the true diversity of West Wales can be hard to see. When in truth, Pembrokeshire is physically, culturally, mentally, and sexually diverse. Without the central gathering points of large urban bases, these communities are often hidden from view and lack representation in our wider cultural life. This invisibility can lead to a lack of understanding from the wider community and a loss of enriching cultural exchange.

SPAN has revived support for the National Lottery Awards for All fund to support new co-created LGBTQ+ led creative programming in Pembrokeshire. The events, projects and activities under this funding are designed and agreed on by a group of LGBTQ+ artists and community members. If you are interested in supporting this work, please email director@span-arts.org.uk. Alongside this work, we are seeking new ideas through the open call below.

Artist Call Out

SPAN is looking for ideas for small scale events or projects from local Queer creatives.

Deadline to apply: 27/06/2025

SPAN has £1,500 to support a new LGBTQ+ led small-scale event or project in Pembrokeshire

What we are looking for:

• It must meet SPAN’s aim of using the arts as a vehicle for social change. This means the events or activities must have some sort of social impact on the people engaged.
• The events, projects, or programming must be artist-led and creative.
• The lead creatives/artists must be part of the LGBTQ+ community.
• The events/projects do not have to be aimed solely at Queer audience and participants, but they can be if you feel that is important to the idea.
• It can be of any subject matter or theme that is relevant and resonates with the people of Pembrokeshire.
• They must be community-focused; the idea must engage with the people of Pembrokeshire in some way
• They must take place in accessible locations in Pembrokeshire (this could also be outdoors or online).
• The engagement could be passive (watching a performance or film) or active (participating in an event or workshop/s), or a mix of both
• The event or project must take place before the end of October 2025
• We would welcome ideas that come from LGBTQ+ creatives from the Global Majority community and/or creatives who are Disabled

To respond to the Call Out, please send the following information to info@span-arts.org.uk by Friday the 27^th of June. This can be in any format that is most accessible to you, written, audio or film.

A brief summary of the event or project:

Tell us what it is that you want to do and why.

Let us know if you have an idea of where it could take place or who you want to engage with.

Who will lead the project? Is it just you, or do you want to collaborate with others? Who are they?

Budget:

Let us know what sort of costs would be involved and how you would spend the £1,500. For example, this would need to include artist fees, venue costs and materials.

Be realistic in your ambitions, this is a small budget for a small-scale project or event.

Marketing costs, production support, and some tech costs can be separately supported through SPAN.

Timescale:

Let us know when you think the event or project could take place. Ideally, we are looking for projects that will be completed by the end of October 2025 at the latest.

Support:

SPAN can help with producing and organising the event. Let us know what sort of support you think you may need to make it happen.

FAQ’s

How do you define LGBTQ+?

This means people who are lesbian, gay, bi, trans, queer, or fall under the growing number of other definitions terms used by the Queer community to identify themselves. We understand that Identities are deeply personal, and many people will define theirs using language that looks different to ours. Language is also evolving constantly, and LGBTQ+ terms are no exception to this. If you are still unsure, then Stonewall has an evolving glossary of terms here

Does the idea have to for Queer audience of participant?

No, the idea must be led by an LGBTQ+ artist or creative but can engage with whoever you feel would benefit most.

How will you decide what project or idea to support?

All the responses will be shared with our Queer programming group, this is a group of LGBTQ+ artist and community members who support SPAN in their Queer programming. Together with the SPAN team, the group will decide which project or event to support.

Does it have to be a new idea, or can it be a continuation of an existing project?

We are ideally looking for a new project but are happy to consider a development from existing work, provided the activity has not been delivered in Pembrokeshire before in the same way.

Can I apply for access costs?

We have a small pot of funding separate from the call-out fee that can be used to support key access costs for the lead artist/s to enable them to deliver the work if needed.

If I’m submitting an idea, should I include a fee in the budget?

If you would be actively involved in planning, organising or delivering the project, then yes. It is for each artist to set their own fees, but advice on standard industry rates can be found here.