CARAD (Community Arts Rhayader and District) is an inclusive community arts and heritage charity based in Rhayader, Powys. Our ambitious and wide-ranging programme of large and smaller scale public events, community workshops, training and exhibitions have been ongoing for thirty years. We grew out of several successful community projects.
CARAD - The Beginning
CARAD grew from a National Drama Competition winning Rhayader YFC performance of ‘Valley of Nantgwyllt’, written by Trustee Peter Cox. The adults involved enjoyed the process and decided they wanted to have a similar experience.
They began organising and fundraising and consultations over three years which led to the writing and performance in 1994 of a large scale community play ‘The Lost Harp – Y Delyn Golledig’ by Peter Cox.
Around 200 people, took part led by a professional team of Designers, Musical Directors, Production, and Director. We held around 500 workshops and events to upskill community members, do research and develop the story, as well as fundraising and publicity.
As there were many requests to continue working together and developing activities after the play ended, we held more community consultations and CARAD was born.
More community consultation and fundraising followed this, enabling us to buy two empty industrial units on East Street, the very ones where you’ll find us today! One was converted into a multi-purpose community arts building, the other was transformed into Rhayader Museum and Gallery, created with the original town ‘folk museum’ collections. This was opened in 2009 by the then Culture Minister who described us as, ‘a flagship organisation and a shining example of a community working together’.
CARAD Today
Between 2021 and 2023, thanks to Welsh Government funding and LOTS of hard work, we set about transforming the museum and turning it into what’s waiting for you today: TimeScape Rhayader, a 'museum with a twist' and “an outstanding example of what a museum should be”.
CARAD is now a volunteer led, inclusive organisation supported by a part-time finance officer, with projects, events or workshops run by paid specialists or by skilled community volunteers.
As well as serving our wider community, we support people who may be going through some life challenges and have improved the economic health of the area by bringing in grant funding - which gets spent in the community and employing professionals to run what we do. Every £1 spent on creative activities generates between £2 and £6 in local income and saves the NHS around £17 (Govt figures.)
Day to day, the organisation is run by Trustees and Co-Directors Cath Allan and Krysia Bass, with the practical support of board members and community volunteers. CARAD is an independent charity and is funded by grants, sponsorship and donations.
Our Mission
CARAD looks to create a positive future informed by and rooted in our community’s past.
CARAD is a volunteer led, inclusive organisation supported by a part-time finance officer, with projects, events or workshops run by paid specialists or by skilled community volunteers.
- Promotes participation in arts and heritage activity for social, personal, cultural and economic benefit.
- Encourages individuals to develop and share existing skills and inspires them to learn new ones.
- Uses creative projects to celebrate and represent the area’s distinctive voices.
- Works in partnership with all ages and abilities to foster a sense of place, worth and confidence.
As well as our wider community, we support people facing a range of personal, physical, emotional, or social challenges. CARAD is an independent charity and is funded by grants, sponsorship and donations, personal, physical, emotional, or social challenges.
Meet the Team
Our trustees are the engine room of CARAD and behind all of the great stuff we do. Please say hello to...
Get Involved
We always need help and there are several ways you can support us that will enable the community work we do to continue.