The CDS Artist Community is a network of almost 270 independent artists and arts workers, who come together to collaborate, learn from each other, build solidarity, and advocate for a more inclusive arts sector. These artists are the beating heart of CDS, activating our space through a wide range of interdisciplinary art practices. The Artist Community form CDS’ artistic leadership, regularly inputing their ideas to guide our values, ethics, and direction.
Being part of the CDS artist community feels grounding and reassuring. It’s a space where I know i’ll be in rich exchange with other artists. CDS staff are always very supportive and interested in what artists bring and who they are; they encourage each artist to own the space and to take responsibility for their work and their role within the community.
- Manuela Albrecht, Artist & Researcher, Collaborator @ CDS
Once you have joined, artists can stay in the community as long as they like. As a reflection of how artists’ lives are constantly in flux, we have two different roles, which shift every year:
Collaborators: These artists make up the majority of our community. Collaborators feel an affinity with the practices and values of CDS, but can engage as little or much as they like. These artists receive most of the same the benefits as Activators, but are in a supporting, rather than leading, role.
Activators: This is a smaller, core group of around 65 artists, who are of Global Majority heritage and/or Disabled/Neurodivergent experience. These artists meet more regularly at four gatherings per year, and form a supportive cohort, nurturing each others’ practices. They also take on a key role in collective decision making and shape CDS’ programmes.
In addition to these two roles, five artists from our community take on roles in our Artist Committee, a paid steering group who work with staff and trustees to lead CDS’ direction. These artists meet for a day per month and are selected as representatives of their peers for a period of two years.
This role prioritises those who experience racism and/or ableism, furthering the leadership of marginalised artists. You can read more about our current committee here.
Being an Activator at CDS has been a lifeline for me. It’s provided me with a community, a family and opportunities that I never thought I would get as a neurodiverse and Disabled artist.
- Blodwyn Jenkins, Artist & Choreographer, Activator @ CDS
Photos of Past Programmes
Find out more about present and past Artist Community programmes here.
Find out more about our artists here.
Find out more about the benefits of Community Membership here.
Find out more about how to join here.
Got a question? Email Sonya, our Artist Community Producer, on sonya@chisenhaledancespace.co.uk