Apply for our new artist open call

Posted: 26/10/2022

We’re pleased to releasing a new artist open call as part of our ongoing work at ‘a space’ arts to raise awareness of the current climate emergency. 

In 2023, we will be hosting a new programme of exhibitions and activities with a focus on climate action. At the centre of the programme will be a major new commission at our flagship venue, God’s House Tower. Alongside this, we would also like to support two community-focused projects led by artists who live or work in the SO postcode. 

These community projects will enable participants and audiences to connect with environmental ideas and concerns and bring about meaningful change in perceptions and behaviours, leading to climate action and climate solutions. Acknowledging the need for collective and collaborative approaches to climate action, this opportunity is for artists with a social practice to connect with local communities and generate new work. 

There will be two opportunities to host activity at God’s House Tower across the six month programme. The Creative Climate Action Lab, which will take place in May 2023 will enable artists to launch their projects in our main gallery space and engage with community groups and members of the public. Then in November 2023, we will host an exhibition of outcomes and documentation of the projects, co-produced by the artists and the communities they have connected with. 

Global warming continues to have a profound effect on life on earth, socially, politically and economically, disproportionately effecting marginalised communities. As part of our commitment to anti-racism, accessibility and inclusion, we encourage expressions of interest from those who are underrepresented in current climate conversations.

We recognise that it is important at this stage to remain open-minded about the structure and outcome of these projects. One of our favourite things about working with artists and communities is being surprised and excited by new perspectives and ideas.

There is a total of £4,000 set aside for this part of our climate action programme. Our intention is to fund two projects at £2,000 each. The £2,000 budget will need to cover all the costs of the commission, including artist fees, travel and expenses. Please note the budget must include VAT.

 

How to apply 

Please send a proposal to Mia Delve at [email protected] by 5pm on Sunday 20th November. 

Proposals should include: 

  • No more than 300 words, including: 
  • A brief intro to your practice
    • Your ideas for a climate action community project
    • Please identify what community/communities or partners you would like to work with and why. It would also be useful to know what connection (if any) you have with these groups/partners 
    • Please tell us a bit about your ideas for the Creative Climate Action Lab and how you would engage members of the public across three weekends at GHT in May 2023
  • A project timeline
  • A breakdown of the budget which needs to cover all the costs of the project, including artist fees, materials, travel, expenses and a contingency. Please consider any costs associated with working with communities e.g. outreach and travel. Please note the budget must include VAT
  • A link to your website, or a portfolio (up to 8 images) of your previous work

If you have any questions please email Mia Delve at [email protected] or phone the ‘a space’ arts office on 02380 338 778.

Please note, this opportunity is only open to artists who live in the SO postcode. 

 

You can find out more details about the open call and download the full artist brief here 

 

Access 

As an organisation we actively look to reduce barriers for artists applying for our opportunities and commissions, and we are committed to being fair, accessible, transparent and inclusive. 

We offer a range of access support for artists, including alternative formats for information we release and submissions we receive as well as an artist access fund; please contact us so that we can discuss your individual needs and provide appropriate support for your application or project. Please either email us on [email protected] or call 023 80 338 778

For more information about this work please visit – aspacearts.org.uk/about-us