We are excited to be supporting actor, writer, poet and creator Connor Allen with his LOYALTY Development Programme this year.
Established in 2021, LOYALTY supports a cohort of six emerging Black artists every year with mentorship, masterclasses, a development grant and a final performance opportunity.
This year’s artists are:
- Elena Blackmore – Visual artist
- Tia-zakura Camilleri – Spoken Word artist & Theatre maker
- Zaid Djerdi – Photographer and Creative Director
- Elemchi Nwosu – Writer, Actor and Film Maker
- Chelsey Owen – Musical Theatre Performer
- Mason Rodrigues-Edwards – Producer
The 2025/26 programme, which runs from April 2025 to March 2026, is funded by Arts Council of Wales with contributions from Awen and ten other arts and cultural organisations across Wales.
Awen’s Chief Executive Richard Hughes said:
“Connor set up LOYALTY to bring Black artists based in Wales together as a collective to develop their craft, build confidence and grow as creative professionals. His vision aligns with Awen’s commitment, to create culturally vibrant communities where everyone – regardless of race or background – feels they belong. We are proud to support Connor’s worthwhile work and look forward to engaging with this year’s group.”
Connor Allen added:
“It’s beyond humbling that so many organisations have come together to be partners on this programme and support the development of Black talent in Wales. It’s a consortium of different organisations with all of them pledging to help nurture and break down barriers for Black talent in Wales. It’s a statement that these organisations are using their resources and not just talking the talk, but walking the walk as well.
“It’s amazing to have an organisation like Awen on board to help the mission of amplifying diverse voices in Wales and having already developed a wonderful relationship with them I am excited by where this partnership is going to take us.”
The other partners involved are:
- Wales Millennium Centre
- The Riverfront
- Newport Council
- MTW
- People Speak Up
- Literature Wales
- Theatr Clwyd
- Creu Cymru
- TEAM Collective
- DandI
