We hold a series of networking and learning sessions for artists and contributors in the lead up to the registration deadline and festival dates.
These are a great opportunity for you to meet the WAF team and get the most out of taking part.
We offer online toolkits and guidance, and a 1-1 clinic session for more specific advice on realising your ideas and fundraising, including making an application to our grant scheme.
Please note, the dates below may change – keep an eye on this page and on our social media channels for further updates, or sign up to our Creative Practitioners mailing list.
WAF Grant Surgeries
- Wednesday 12 October, 3pm - 5pm on Zoom (fully booked)
- Monday 7 November, 10am - 12pm on Zoom (fully booked)
- Thursday 10 November, 5pm - 7pm on Zoom (fully booked)
Book a 1-2-1 surgery with the WAF producers to ask questions about your WAF Grants application - email cath.mattos@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk to book your session.
Please note: You need to have completed an Expression Of Interest form before you can be offered a surgery slot. Grants surgeries are in high demand, so each artist/organisation can benefit from one grant surgery only each year. We advise you have a go at filling out the application form and budget before your surgery to get the most out of your session. One-off questions can be emailed directly to WAF Producer Cath Mattos at any point after completing your EOI.
Creatives Sessions
Session 1: Introduction to WAF 2023
Wednesday 5 October 2022, 6pm - 7.30pm on Zoom
Meet the team and talk about ideas for getting involved with WAF 9 - 25 June 2023.
We'll cover:
- Introductions to the WAF team.
- Expressions of Interest: How to get involved.
- The economics of taking part in WAF: What to expect and how to raise funding.
- The WAF Grants: How to apply.
To get the Zoom sign up to our Creative Practitioners mailing list or complete an Expression of Interest form.
Session 2: WAF Artists and Venues Matchmaking
Wednesday 2 November 2022, 6pm - 7.30pm on Zoom
An opportunity for WAF Creatives to meet the Venues! You can start looking for your venues now on our WAF Venue Directory.
To get the Zoom sign up to our Creative Practitioners mailing list or complete an Expression of Interest form.
Session 3: WAF Registration
Thursday 8 December 2022, 6pm - 7.30pm
Help with your WAF online registrations and guidance on creating your event listings.
We'll cover:
- Registrations
- Accessibility
- Providing Copy
Session 4: WAF Ticketing & Registration support
Wednesday 18 January 2023, 6pm - 8pm
Help with your WAF online registrations plus an opportunity to discuss pricing strategies and ticketing.
We'll cover:
- Registrations
- Ticketing
- Providing Copy
Session 5: WAF Ticketing & Registration support
Wednesday 8 February 2023, 6pm - 8pm
Help with your WAF online registrations plus an opportunity to discuss pricing strategies and ticketing.
Session 6: Marketing
Wednesday 15 March 2023, 6pm - 8pm
Advice and support for marketing your WAF event.
Session 7: Introduction to Evaluation - Telling Your Story of Change
Thursday 20 April 2023: 6pm-7.30pm, on Zoom.
For all participating WAF artists and collaborators although we strongly recommend attendance from WAF Grantees.
Evaluation is a process of finding out how a project or activity is working/has worked, what difference it has made to those involved, and what can be learnt. Anyone can do evaluation, and it can be fun and creative too. It can help you plan future projects and activities, make decisions about what you do, document and tell the story of your work, and evidence your impact to others.
In this interactive 1.5-hour online workshop you will:
- Learn about the different types of evaluation, and principles for good evaluation
- Understand the building blocks of a ‘theory of change’ and how to create one for your performance, event, project or activity
- Hear how creative methods (storytelling, journalism, drawing and writing, journaling, film and photography) can complement and enhance traditional research and evaluation methods such as surveys and group discussions
- Consider the practical steps for collecting information and data and doing a small-scale evaluation
- We will also support one another with ideas and solutions for current or future evaluation work.
This session will be led by Chris Hayes, Research Consultant at Live Projects. Chris is an experienced researcher and evaluator passionate about helping community and creative organisations document and tell their stories in meaningful and inclusive ways.
Session 8: Storytelling & Evaluation
Wednesday 10 May 2023: 6pm-7.30pm, on Zoom.
For all participating WAF artists and collaborators although we strongly recommend attendance from WAF Grantees.
Evaluation is a process of finding out how a project or activity is working/has worked, what difference it has made to those involved, and what can be learnt. Anyone can do evaluation, and it can be fun and creative too!
Storytelling and creative methods – journalism, drawing and writing, film and photography – can make evaluation more meaningful, creative and enjoyable.
In this interactive 1.5-hour online workshop you will:
- Learn about Old Fire Station’s storytelling methodology
- Hear how creative research and evaluation methods can help you document and tell the story of your project and activities
- Learn simple tools and question guides to collect stories from people involved in your projects and activities
- Consider the practical steps of collecting information and data and doing a small-scale evaluation
We will also support one another with ideas and solutions for current or future evaluation work.
This session will be led by Chris Hayes, Research Consultant at Live Projects. Chris is an experienced researcher and evaluator passionate about helping community and creative organisations document and tell their stories in meaningful and inclusive ways.
Post-festival reflections and evaluation
Weds 12 July 2023, 6pm - 8pm
Let's share our learnings from this year: we'll share our stats and anything we have learnt this year, and you can tell us what you thought of it all and what you have found out too!