THE Elan Valley’s prestigious artistic fellowship is now open to applications.

Created through Arts Council Wales funding and further support from Elan Links partners, the opportunity is one of only three Creative Wales Fellowships supported by Arts Council of Wales and puts the Elan Valley on the international creative map.

The Elan Valley Creative Wales Fellowships offer a unique opportunity for artists based in Wales at a significant juncture of their career in any art form, including music, literature, theatre, visual arts, craft, dance and film.

“We see the Fellowships as an investment in an artist’s creative development, not only for them as individuals, but for further developing the Elan Valley and surrounding area as the creative heart of Wales,” said Catherine Allan, partnership member for Elan Links and chair of Trustees at CARAD (Community Arts Rhayader and District).

“We hope artists will immerse themselves in the landscape and culture of Elan to stimulate and communicate new ideas, responses and understandings of the area.”

The fellowships will be a chance to experiment and reflect, offering the time and space for artists to develop their creative practice through research, study and practical inquiry, by providing them with an opportunity to spend time in the wonderful and secluded Elan environment.

Dr Ieuan Joyce, chairman of the Elan Links partnership and Elan Valley Trust, said: “We welcome this award by Arts Council Wales which is recognition indeed that the Elan Valley is a special place, and look forward to seeing how the successful Fellow develops and benefits from time spent here during their Fellowship.”

Currently the applications are open for one Fellowship, for 2019/20, and the closing date is midday on July 19.

More information is available on the website at https://www.elanvalley.org.uk/news/article/elan-valley-creative-wales-fellowship-open.

The selection will be a competitive process with applications invited from Wales based practising artists of all spectrums.

The successful Fellow will need to demonstrate a track record and how they could benefit from the Fellowship opportunity which includes an award of £9,000 in funding.

The only requirement is that the Fellow must reside at the Elan Valley for a significant amount of time within the 12-month period to enable full immersion. As such up to six months’ accommodation within the Elan Valley will also be included.

The Fellowships form part of the artist residency opportunities currently being offered at Elan Valley through the Elan Links: People, Nature and Water landscape partnership which is an investment of £3.3 million over five years by Heritage Lottery Fund, Elan Valley Trust, Dŵr Cymru, Community Arts Rhayader & District, Tir Coed and Natural Resources Wales.