Small-scale pilot commission for Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) artists
Articulture, in collaboration with The Riverfront, Newport invites BAME (Black, Asian and minority ethnic) artists and arts companies based in Wales from any discipline to request support for the creation and delivery of new outdoor work.
Background
Since 2015, Articulture and a group of leading arts organisations and festivals (Wales Outdoor Arts Consortium) have worked together to co-commission and present new Welsh street arts and outdoor performance. We reviewed the process in 2018 and identified that BAME artists were under represented in terms of those we have supported. As a step towards addressing this, Articulture achieved funding and secured partners to pilot a strategic commission for small scale work and initiate a learning process for artists, partners, ourselves and the wider sector.
Articulture is a creative organisation that aims to bring together practitioners to support the production of innovative, high quality outdoor arts in Wales. www.articulture-wales.co.uk
The Riverfront is a lively theatre and arts centre based in the centre of Newport bringing as many people as possible into contact with the arts and creativity. The Big Splash family street theatre festival is hosted by the venue annually and is a free event, with performances, workshops and community projects taking place across the city centre. This year’s event will take place on 20th – 21st July 2019. https://bigsplashnewport.com/
Strategic commission aims
- Enable more BAME artists to create work for the ‘outdoors’
- Raise profile of outdoor work made by BAME artists (in Wales & beyond) and support Welsh venues to programme it
- Enable more individuals from BAME communities to see more diverse outdoor work
We are looking to invest in work that is INNOVATIVE – ideas that are exciting and leave a lasting impression on the minds of those who encounter it and ENGAGING & CAPTIVATING – work that actively draws in and includes its audience. The Big Splash takes place at sites across the city centre so we are looking for ideas that can work in an urban context. The second performance for Articulture will be at a venue in mid-Wales – date t.b.c
We are open to work along any concept or theme.
Eligibility and guidance
- Articulture exist to support the development of new work by artists in Wales; we can support projects that are developed in association with international artists but the lead partner on the project must be based in Wales.
- We are looking for outdoor work from all disciplines and genres, including walkabout, circus, digital, street theatre and dance.
- We are looking for small scale projects that require no more than £3,000 from the partners.
- The commission will perform at The Big Splash Festival (20th – 21st July 2019) therefore the work must be available for this weekend. A second date will also be arranged with Articulture.
- Proposals need to give consideration to the work being adaptable to being taken under cover in the event of bad weather or unforeseen programme changes.
- Proposals must include planning, budget, and resources for a mandatory dress rehearsal for critical review by Articulture and performances at The Big Splash.
- Applicants must be eligible to work in the UK.
- Applicants must have the appropriate insurance cover for their proposal (eg: public liability / employee)
- Artists must be prepared to work within the spirit of collaboration- in a positive and open way allowing space for active sharing and learning throughout the process of developing and touring work, through regular communication and ongoing evaluation.
We are open to supporting the touring of a project that has already raised its core creation costs, provided that the show has not already toured in Wales, and provided it clearly meets our priorities.
Commissioning funds
The sum of money which has been raised collectively by the partners, is to invest in commissioning and touring of new work.
In summary the financial support available is up to £3,000 towards a total creation and performance budget. Match funding is not essential for this pilot commission but please do let us know if you will be drawing on other funds.
Additional support
In addition to the partnership funds, we can also provide the following support, the details of which will be agreed by the artist/Articulture once selected –
- Up to 3 days of mentoring by an appropriate professional
- Support in the marketing of your work
- Support where reasonably required with production management advice
- Support to consider the legacy of the work
How to submit your proposal
Please complete the Application Form and submit a detailed budget identifying how you intend to develop the idea within the timescale outlined to: [email protected]
For further information please contact [email protected]
Deadline for commission proposals is Tuesday 23rd April 2019, 5pm.
All the proposals will be considered by Articulture and The Riverfront the week beginning 22nd April following the deadline. We hope to let you know whether your proposal has been selected by 30th April.
We may decide to invite applicants in for interviews to discuss ideas further. Applicants will be given sufficient notice and receive travel expenses where appropriate.