Events

The Cardiff-based Romani Cultural and Arts Company was formed in September 2009 as a not-for-profit company. Working through the arts the company raises funds to grow community development and educational projects from within Gypsy, Roma and Traveller sites and then onto Gorjer and ‘country- folk’ communities across Wales. The company uses arts and culture as a vehicle for change and has a growing interest from a variety of high-profile organisations such as the Arts Council of Wales.

The company is intended to overcome the ignorance and mythology relating to Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people living in Wales, and to promote a greater sense of self-worth among members of a community who largely internalised the racism that they experience.

Born a Romani Gypsy, Isaac Blake is a professional choreographer and Artistic Director of the Romani Cultural and Arts Company. He completed a 3 year undergraduate Diploma Dance Theatre Course at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, London and also attended The Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance, New York. He has worked with artists and companies including Adventures in Motion Pictures, DV8, Ragdoll, the BBC, Chapter Arts Centre, Arts Council, FIND, S4C and local housing and education authorities in and around Wales and London.

In a recent Arts Council of Wales report, its author stated that she "has uncovered nothing but praise for Isaac Blake – his work is universally acknowledged by academics, Gypsies, Travellers, politicians, public bodies and international organisations. This is a unique Welsh-based company that should be supported in every possible way." (Yvonne Cheal August 2012)