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Gypsy / Traveller Arts P…

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Citrus Arts

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NTW10: The Soul Exchange

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Isaac Blake posted a blog post

Cosh 2019, by Dan Turner

Gypsy Maker 4 Artwork NarrationCosh 2019, 90 cm x 60 cm x 10 cm, wood, Perspex and foam by Dan Turner“My work has become not only a journey to learn about my own culture, but also a way to integrate my identity and my art practice. I am interested in how human life can be deﬁned and archived through made objects. I want to explore how these objects communicate across…See More

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Isaac Blake posted blog posts

Friday

Isaac Blake posted blog posts

Jan 29

Isaac Blake posted a blog post

Traveller Communities – Step Beyond the Stereotype. A discussion and networking event about representation and portrayal.

About this EventDate: 21st January 2020 (7:30 PM – 9:00 PM)Venue: Young Vic Theatre 66 The Cut London SE1 8LZIn close collaboration with Young Vic Taking Part, Equity is delighted to be hosting an evening panel discussion to focus on good practice in the representation and portrayal of Gypsy, Romany and Traveller (GRT) people and communities. GRT people and communities…See More

Dec 11, 2019

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Isaac Blake posted a blog post

The Romani Cultural and Arts Company proud - RomArchive wins prestigious award

Paris, 29 October 2019 – The winners of the 2019 European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards, Europe’s top honour in the field, were celebrated with the Grande Soirée du Patrimoine Européen at the recently restored Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. On this occasion, Plácido Domingo, President of Europa Nostra, announced the 7 Grand Prix laureates. …See More

Nov 25, 2019

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Isaac Blake posted blog posts

Oct 15, 2019

Isaac Blake posted a blog post

An insider’s guide to working with Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities Training day

Date: Tuesday 17th December 2019 (9.30 AM – 5:00 PM)Venue: First Space Chapter Arts Centre, Market Rd, Cardiff CF5 1QEAdmission: The cost for the day (including light refreshments and lunch) is £162.29 per delegate, if you book before the Tuesday 3rd December 2019 and £183.85 per delegate if you book between Wednesday 4th December 2019and Monday 16th December 2019. Places…See More

Oct 10, 2019

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Isaac Blake posted a blog post

Isaac Blake to represent UK at the International anti-discrimination congress in New York

21-23 September 2019, New YorkThrough the National Federation of Gypsy Liaison Groups (NFGLG) Isaac Blake RCAC (Romani Cultural Arts Company) has been chosen to represent NFGLG for the UK at the September 2019 International Congress on Discrimination based on Work and Descent, Untouchability, Anti-Gypsyism and Contemporary forms of Slavery (ICDWD) Conference in New…See More

Sep 17, 2019

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Isaac Blake posted a blog post

It is the Romani Cultural and Arts Company’s 10th Birthday this year and we’d like you to celebrate with us.

10 years of community strength and success! 2009 – 2019The Romani Culture and Arts Company has been the leading Romani organisation in Wales for 10 years and has become the strongest Romani and Traveller led organisation in the United Kingdom, with an extensive network across Wales, England and Europe. The RCAC has an impressive portfolio of activities, programmes and…See More

Sep 2, 2019

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Isaac Blake posted a blog post

LGBTQI Gypsy, Roma & Traveller Conference Report 2019

The Romani Cultural & Arts Company was proud to hold the first Gypsy, Roma & Traveller (GRT) LGBTQI International Conference in the UK on July 4th 2019. The event was hosted by the Senedd – National Assembly of Wales and featured an international selection of speakers including activists, academics, artists and community champions who focused on the current and…See More

Jul 25, 2019

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Isaac Blake posted a blog post

Equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex people in Europe ILGA-Europe’s Annual Conference in Prague, Czech Republic

Isaac Blake is pleased to have received a scholarship to attend The 23rd ILGA-Europe Annual Conference, in Prague, Czech Republic from 23-26 October 2019. Stronger TogetherThis is the year in which we celebrate 50 years of Stonewall, a moment to acknowledge the journey and celebrate our incredible collective achievements. Around the world Stonewall is considered the start…See More

Jul 23, 2019

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Isaac Blake posted a blog post

Gypsy Maker Report 2019

The Romani Cultural and Arts Company’s groundbreaking Gypsy Maker project employs artistic excellence and experimentation to challenge racism and discrimination. The project began in 2014 in response to the lack of any significant programme of support for GRT artists throughout Wales and the UK. Gypsy Maker’s main objective continues to be the development of innovative…See More

Jul 17, 2019

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Profile Information

What I do:: Isaac Blake - Director - Romani Cultural & Arts Company, Cardiff

A little more about me:: Isaac Blake is a Romani Gypsy and has worked as a professional dancer and choreographer.

He is currently Executive Director of the Romani Cultural & Arts Company in Cardiff, UK, which is funded by the the Centre for Equality and Diversity, BBC Children in Need, the Big Lottery, Cardiff City Council and Newport City Council, working with Gypsy, Roma, Traveller communities across the country.

From 2000 – 2003, he studied Dance Theatre at the Laban Centre London (Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance). Whilst at Laban, Isaac worked with numerous artists and companies including Adventures in Motions Pictures (AMP), DV8 and Ballet Rambert.

After graduating from Laban, Isaac furthered his studies in New York at Martha Graham School. He then went on to choreograph performances at the Wales Millennium Centre and the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, where he continues to teach.

As Executive Director of the Romani Cultural & Arts Company (RCAC), Isaac has developed arts and performance programmes on Gypsy and Traveller caravan sites with young children and adults, worked in schools and colleges, and promoted arts as a medium for empowerment and advocacy throughout Wales with Gypsy, Roma and Travellers. He has engaged widely with non-Gypsy communities to promote dialogue and improve social cohesion. His leadership and management of the RCAC has seen the organisation grow from a small voluntary group to a major third sector (NGO) agency that leads the Romani and Traveller field in Wales and is one of the major players in Romani and Traveller advocacy and empowerment in the UK. Isaac is also a Dance Curator, leading a team of academics and researchers in collating appropriate items and artefacts for the RomArchive. The RomArchive is devised as an international digital archive for art of the Roma – a constantly growing collection of art of all types, complemented by historical documents and scholarly texts.

Location:: Wales

Projects I’m working on:: The Romani Cultural and Arts Company was formed in September 2009 as a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee (No. 07005660) and is a registered charity (No.1138150). Working through the arts the Company raises funds to take community development and educational projects onto Gypsy, Roma and Traveller sites and into Gorger or ‘gadjó’ and ‘country-folk’ communities across Wales.

We are a Gypsy, Roma and Traveller community development organisation at heart. We are led by Gypsies and Travellers, we are about Gypsies and Travellers, we are for Gypsies and Travellers. We believe that the community can be developed to become fully accepted participants in mainstream society while still retaining their distinct culture and heritage.

All of our projects are designed to enhance awareness and improve cultural understanding through the Arts.

Our current projects include: http://romaniarts.co.uk/projects/

Personal Website/CV:: http://romaniarts.co.uk

Twitter @username:: @Romaniarts

Isaac Blake's Blog

Cosh 2019, by Dan Turner

Gypsy Maker 4 Artwork Narration

Cosh 2019, 90 cm x 60 cm x 10 cm, wood, Perspex and foam by Dan Turner

“My work has become not only a journey to learn about my own culture, but also a way to integrate my identity and my art practice. I am interested in how human life can be deﬁned and archived through made objects. I want to explore how…

Continue

Posted on March 30, 2020 at 13:10

Gypsy Maker 4 Artwork Narration

Pani Kekkavva (Kettle) Rose 2019, 160 cm x 59 cm x 0.5 cm by Cas Holmes

“The works I produced for Gypsy Maker4 are influenced by the time that I have had to reflect on my Romany heritage. I am interested in the commonalities we all share as people, the need for a place of our own, and for family and food. With migration, and changes in our…

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Posted on March 27, 2020 at 10:09