Artists' Residencies in the Community 2014 and 2015 - Applications are welcome; deadline 6th January 2014
VARC’ is inviting visual artists to apply for twelve-month
residencies at Highgreen in rural Northumberland. The Trust is hoping
to appoint two artists from applications submitted; one artist to hold
the resdiency staritng 2014 and another artist to hold the residency
starting October 2015.
Aims
VARC's primary aims are to:
• Promote interest, awareness and understanding of visual arts in a rural community through engagement with an artist
• Develop visual arts projects in rural communities
• Offer a
unique opportunity to an artist wishing to develop his or her practice
by working and living in a remote rural community
The Residency
VARC is looking for:
artists who feel that 12 months spent living in an isolated rural location will significantly benefit their practice. Although
the Trust feels that artists who might most benefit are those who have
lived in an urban or city environment, artists will be considered
regardless of their current location as long as they can explain how
this would benefit their practice. The length of the residency is one
year, as this would allow the artist to experience the full cycle of
seasons as well as the time for the rural community and environment to
have an impact on the work. However in exceptional circumstances six
month residencies are not ruled out. The aim is to give the artist a
unique opportunity to concetrate on his/her practice in a remote
setting, away from the constraints of city life. It is hoped that this
experience will have a lasting effect on the artist.
artists who want to be part of a community and who enjoy contact with people.
The resident artist is expected to spend at least 15 days during the
year delivering projects. Planning and preparation time would be extra
to these days. What form this work would take would depend on the
artist the nature of his or her work but could include projects with
specific groups, open studio days, practical sessions, talks and
participation as Artist in Residence in local events. The Trust hopes
that the experience of having a prctising artist living and working in
this rural community will offer people an insight into how professional
artists work as well as adding an enriching creative element.
Information
In addition to work in the community the artist produces a body of
work for an end of year exhibition to be held at Highgreen. The artist
is contracted to spend a minimum of 22.5 hours per week on work for the
exhibition and the community aspects of the residency, but VARC would
expect that to fully utilise the opportunity and integrate with the
local community, the artist would wish to devote their time fully to the
residency. There is a part-time member of staff to support the artist,
liaise between the artist and the Trust, arrange community projects in
consultation with the artist, promote the artist’s work and the
residency, produce the catalogue, help organise the exhibition and
facilitate other avenues the artist may wish to pursue. The artist is
contracted to provide documentation about the experience of the
residency in an agreed format.
Accommodation
The residency is based in converted stable buildings, part of the
estate of Highgreen in the North Tyne. Highgreen is remote with stunning
views across the moors. There is an immediate community of about 20
people. The hamlet of Greenhaugh with an inn is about three miles away
and a mile beyond this at Lanehead there is a village hall. The local
shops are in Bellingham, some 10 miles away and Newcastle is 40 miles
away. The artist will need to have a car.
There is a 498 sq ft studio for the sole use of the artist, as well
as fully-furnished one-bedroomed living accommodation. Heat and light
for the studio and flat are included and council tax is paid by VARC.
Telephone line rental (including broadband internet access) and printer
will be provided but the artist should bring his/her own computer and
will pay for phone calls.
Financial package
• £9,000 per annum artist’s fee and materials
• Materials and expenses for community projects are paid for separately by VARC
• A catalogue will be produced
• Reasonable costs associated with the exhibition (transport, presentation of work) is paid
• Accommodation (flat and studio) worth £6,000 per annum
• The studio is equipped with basic tools and furniture
Criteria on which shortlisting is carried out is as follows:
• Strength of work
• Need/desire for the opportunity
• Experience of, and enthusiasm for, working with people
• Commitment to living at Highgreen
Final selection of artists is also influenced by the desire to create
a balance across media and artistic approach from one year to the next.
Applications
Applications are invited from professional visual artists with
three or more years of proven work outside full time education. Artists
working in two or three dimensions in any medium/material as well as
those working in new media, land art, installation work etc are welcome
to apply. An exhibition record and a desire to work in community
settings are essential. The artist should have a strong visual language
and a commitment to living and working in a secluded rural environment.
To apply please sent:
- Between 10 and 20 images on CD with titles, dates, dimensions and descriptions on a separate sheet.
- OR clips on DVD totalling no more than 10 minutes duration if this
format is more appropriate. Any applicant who submits clips of more
than 10 minutes duration in total will not be considered.
- A CV
- A written statement describing the artist's work and reasons for
applying for the residence with regard to the criteria listed above and a
brief outline of community work experience. This statement should be
no more than two pages in total. Any applicant who submits a statement
longer than this will not be considered.
- Two referees (to be followed up if shortlisted).
- A SAE for the return of material (if you would like these returned).
- An indication whether you are applying for the residencey 2014 - 2015 or 2015 - 2016 or both.
Applications made by email will not be accepted.
Please send applications to:
Janet Ross, Project Director, VARC, Dovecote office, Highgreen, Tarset, Hexham, Northumberland, NE48 1RP.
For further information about Highgreen see www.highgreen-arts.co.uk
For information about Tarset see www.tarset.co.uk
Deadline for applications 6th January 2014
Interviews will be held in March 2014
