About us: The Muse Agency CIC
The Muse Agency is a new arts and culture organisation based in Brecon that aims to work in collaboration with the local community to create and present contemporary art and culture. We have been operating as a team of freelancers and volunteers for some years, and have happily curated and facilitated a wide range of culturally democratic projects. We strive to continue this work with the wealth of skills and experience in our community, towards creating high quality arts and culture for all to enjoy.
We operate along-side The Muse Brecon from where we work with the public to create, programme, produce, promote and participate in innovative arts and culture, both at The Muse and in other spaces in our locality.
The Muse Agency is an incorporated Community Interest Company (Company Number 16043375).
Founders:
Ruth Lloyd has worked in the arts sector for over twenty-five years and has a specialist interest in the notion of cultural democracy and learning through creative process.
Living in Brecon since 2014, Ruth has worked with a range creatives and organisations to develop innovative arts and learning programmes and acted as a strategic consultant for clients including Jukebox Collective, National Arts and Education Network, Cadw and Theatr Brycheiniog. She has worked with the Arts Council of Wales on the delivery of their Creative Learning Through the Arts national plan, managing the Arts and Education Network for South-East Wales and leading the set-up of the National Arts and Education Network for Wales. She has worked extensively with schools across Wales through the Lead Creative School Scheme, supporting teachers in the classroom and leading training for teachers, artists and cultural educators.
Previous to 2014, Ruth worked for thirteen years at the V&A Museum (London), towards increasing and diversifying audiences by working specifically with contemporary artists, designers, collections and communities and establishing the flagship Museum Residency Programme. As Programme Manager for Visit Exhibition Road she co-ordinated the set-up of the organisation, establishing governance, communications and fundraising while leading a programming of large partnership festivals in the public space in and around Exhibition Road to support the Exhibition Road redevelopment.
Ruth grew up in Rhayader, mid Wales. She trained in Fine Art Textiles (Goldsmiths College, University of London) and has a Masters Degree in Heritage, Interpretation and Representation (Leicester University). She is a single mother to a son and loves living near to her extensive, extended family in Mid-Wales. She is a Trustee of the Sydney Nolan Trust.
Ruth Gibbs moved to Brecon in 2006 and from early on became actively involved in the cultural life of the town, committed to strengthening and building community life. She owns and runs the independent business The Muse, Brecon, as a busy community venue with a reputation for live music and community arts.
She has been a dedicated member of L’Arche Brecon working alongside adults with learning difficulties for 18 years. This work developed an interest in the reciprocity of relationships, our human need for belonging and connection, and the importance of creative practice in self expression, identity, and empowerment for all. It raised questions about how to overcome ‘otherness’, and how to find innovative ways to bring people together.
In 2016 Ruth founded the Frazz Parade (“where the Brecon Jazz and Fringe festivals meet”) providing free-access arts workshops in preparation for an annual parade that has become a public, fun and free spectacle at the heart of the famous Brecon Jazz festival. Now a constituted group, Ruth has been Chair of Brecon Frazz for 3 years. Free-access remains a central premise to this work. She is also a trustee of the Brecknock Art Trust.
Ruth grew up in the South East of England and moved to Wales after gaining a BA (hons) (First Class) in Sociology withEuropean Studies at Exeter University. She is an active parent, raising three daughters in Brecon.