Call for submissions
Deadline: 8 May 2012
Application fee: none
The annual bursary, set up in memory of sculptor Adam Reynolds to support disabled artists working in visual art, is now open for submissions. The bursary, one of the most significant commissioning opportunities for disabled artists in the UK, offers an opportunity to engage in a three month residency at Camden Arts Centre, London.
http://www.shapearts.org.uk/artandexhibitions/adamreynoldsmemorialbursary.aspx
Background
This bursary is in memory of the life and work of Adam Reynolds and is to support a mid-career artist or artists working in contemporary fine arts.
Now in its fifth year, the bursary is offered in conjunction with a residency in a visual arts venue. This year the bursary returns to the Camden Arts Centre, London. In previous years the bursary has been hosted by the Baltic (Gateshead), the Bluecoat (Liverpool) and Spike Island (Bristol).
The aim of the bursary is to provide an opportunity for artists to develop their ideas and practice without pressure to deliver a particular outcome such as finished or exhibition ready work. The bursary offers space, time and financial support within a framework of constructive and creative critical dialogue.
The bursary is open to mid-career artists who are disabled or deaf and work in the field of contemporary fine arts, for example: photography, painting, drawing, print-making, installation, sculpture, film, video, digital, performance, sound or live art. Applications are welcomed both from artists who work within a disability or deaf arts context, and from those whose practice is unrelated to the experience of being a disabled or deaf person.
The successful artist or artists will be selected from an open submission, based on the strength of their work and proposal, as well as their suggestions for public engagement as part of the host gallery’s programme.
About Adam Reynolds
Adam Reynolds (1959 - 2005) was a curator, artists’ advocate, advisor, trainer, mentor and speaker, but first and foremost, a successful and influential sculptor. He worked with many different materials including lead, copper, steel and glass and moved from predominantly figurative pieces in the 1980s towards more abstract, geometric and larger work.
Adam was active in the disability arts sector, but always maintained a broad perspective. He served on the Board of Shape as Chair (1990-97). He also served on the Arts Council’s art panel (1989-94) and as a Trustee of Chisenhale Gallery (1991-2000).
Who can apply?
To qualify for the ARMB you should:
Consider yourself to be a disabled or deaf person.
Currently be engaged in a contemporary art practice.
Have produced and exhibited a body of contemporary art work.
Not be in full-time undergraduate or post-graduate education during the bursary period.
Be based in the UK.
Applications can be made by individuals or those who work in collaboration or in groups. However, for collaborative applications, all applicants must meet the eligibility criteria listed above.
What will the bursary cover?
The bursary will be £5,000.
It is intended to provide time, space and support for artists to work in an open-ended way in order to devote time to the research and development of their practice. For example, it could be used to:
Buy or hire equipment
Pay for materials
Pay for assistant artists or technicians in order to realise a particular work
Pay for living expenses to free up time to concentrate on the residency (for example, childcare costs, rent or lost income)
What will the residency include?
Three months residency at Camden Arts Centre in London (6th August to 5th November 2012)
The opportunity to work closely with the Camden Arts Centre team and its broader artistic community to realise ideas.
The opportunity to use other facilities as appropriate and in discussion with Camden Arts Centre Professional development support from Camden Arts Centre and Shape.
Advice and consultancy from venue curators.
Opportunities to showcase the residency and your work.
Depending on the outcomes of the residency, the opportunity to exhibit your work at the Camden Arts Centre Studio Space.
The production of a File Note, a small publication featuring your work alongside an especially commissioned text.
Developing contextual events in collaboration with Camden arts Centre team and inputting into the education and talks programme.
The opportunity to show work as part of the Adam Reynolds Memorial Bursary Shortlist exhibition at Shape and other venues.
Engaging with press and other promotional activities.
Contributing to the evaluation of the project and its impact on the practice of disabled artists.
