Matt Bayford

I am an artist living on the edge of The New Forest. I use folklore, folksong, old customs, games and rituals to explore contemporary issues particularly social and economic disparity. Country living can be a strange mix of bounty and hopelessness but when people have access to their own strong and sinuous roots, their own history and stories they have anchorage and hope. I seek the stories that connect us and as an artist I’m thinking of different ways of pinning them up on the metaphorical village hall notice board for all to see. Alongside my own practice I run drawing workshops as The Village Hall Draw and community workshops around the New Forest working with Culture in Common and Hampshire Cultural Heritage amongst others.

I’m an artist based in Southampton, and I work freelance as a specialist in Artist Support, helping other creative people with their work. Drawing on my 20+ years experience as an animation director, creative business owner, university lecturer, and work with local and national arts organisations, I provide one-to-one advice and support with: finding opportunities and building networks planning a project or activity feedback on your work making an application for funding managing work-life balance I also run workshops, deliver training and host panel discussions events and crit groups, and I provide access support for funding applications. I’m happy to meet in-person or online. Feel free to get in touch if you’d like to know more.

I am an actor, writer, director and workshop leader based in Salisbury. As an actor I have worked for over 20 years in theatre, touring nationally and also in the West End. I am currently developing a play called ‘Becoming Simone’ with Mayflower Studios, Forest Forge and Stage Door. In 2023 I wrote and produced a short film, ‘Living Loud’. This was selected for screening at Portsmouth Short Cuts Festival. I am also a Presentation and Communication coach, having worked across many sectors including finance, Ed Tech and charities. I have also designed and led training in communication using roleplay as a learning tool.