Rewarding creativity

Cardiff University’s School of Welsh has confirmed four Creative Minds Scholarships for 2020.

The Scholarships, which are worth £1,000 each, were established in 2015 and are designed to encourage prospective students to flex their creative skills, convey their personalities and articulate what the Welsh language and Welsh culture means to them.

Dr Iwan Wyn Rees, Admissions Tutor at the School of Welsh, said: “The Creative Minds Scholarship scheme always delivers. The standard never dips and the creativity, care and thought put into each entry is impressive. In recent years, we’ve had custom wall art, illustrated short stories, a magazine and songs submitted. There’s always a lot of interest and excitement in the School when new entries arrive!”

Alaw Jones (BA Welsh and Journalism) and Annell Dyfri (BA Welsh and the Professional Workplace) received Creative Minds Scholarships in 2019. They joined the School in September and have quickly settled into life in Cardiff.

Alaw said: “I applied for a Creative Minds scholarship as I felt it was an excellent opportunity to express myself in a creative way and secure funding as well. As part of my application, I created a magazine called ‘Bwrlwm’ which included different aspects on Welsh. It reflected my pride in being able to speak Welsh and I included a short story about the benefits of speaking Welsh and the range of opportunities I’ve received which have supported my personal development. Hearing I had won a scholarship was very exciting.”

Annell added: “I submitted a piece of creative writing and produced a short video introducing myself as part of my application for a Creative Minds scholarship. It was quite a surprise when I received a letter a few months later telling me I’d been awarded a scholarship. It’s such a privilege and the money has been very helpful as I’ve settled into university life.”

There’s no application form to complete and applicants can demonstrate their interest in Welsh language, life and culture in any format they choose – it could be a video, podcast poster, song, sculpture, art, a poem…. anything. The aim is to be as creative as possible.

Entries should be sent to the School office (School of Welsh, Cardiff University, Column Drive, Cardiff, CF10 3EU) or via email (derbyncymraeg@caerdydd.ac.uk) by 29 February 2019. Further details available on the website.