KALABORATION – ARTIST CALL

Call Summary

The Drum Arts Centre, in partnership with the School of Art at Birmingham Institute of Art and Design (BIAD), Birmingham City University, and RoguePlay Theatre invite Birmingham and West Midlands based visual artists to submit expressions of interest in a major new initiative (funded by Arts Council England and Birmingham City Council), that will celebrate both the forthcoming 2012 Olympics and the 50thAnniversary of Jamaican Independence. Artists will be selected on the basis of their project proposal and subsequent interview. Applicants will be expected to demonstrate how their proposal incorporates the main themes of the project and how their practice contributes to its overarching criteria, in terms of artistic excellence, critical dialogue, cultural diversity, professional development and audience development.

Eligibility

We are seeking expressions of interest from Birmingham/West Midlands based artists, including, but not limited to, artists from black and minority ethnic backgrounds, disabled or any other artist who may have had limited opportunities to participate in the arts.

• Applicants should be based in Birmingham or the West Midlands region;
• Applicants should be available to deliver their project between January and August 2012;
• Artists will be required to undergo CRB disclosure;

Criteria

Applicants should demonstrate in their proposal how they will realise either or both of the themes elaborated below, whilst drawing upon the overarching contexts of the project, in terms of artistic excellence, critical dialogue, cultural diversity, professional and audience development.

1. The five Olympic rings represent the five continents of the world: yellow, blue, black, red and green. The symbol of interlocking rings is an important statement of intent by the International Olympic Committee representing equality of opportunity, inviting all nations to take part in the world games. There are many positive features of the Olympic movement; but equally, there are significant concerns. Taking into account the immense diversity between nations in terms of ethnicity, religion, linguistics and culture, and the need to compete within a globalised marketplace, with access or lack of access to technology, amidst concern for the environment (as the global population goes beyond its 7 billionth person), what do these rings mean today?

2. The national motto of Jamaica ‘Out Of Many – One People’ is symbolic of the diverse origins of its citizens, from its native Taino inhabitants, to black African slaves and white European slave-owners, indentured Chinese and Indian labourers. The interplay between race, commerce and culture has defined Jamaican culture, which since Independence has contributed through a worldwide Diaspora to the arts, food, music and sport. These have been comprehensively documented in photography, film and text. Using the Jamaican national motto as your guide ‘Out Of Many – One People’ how would you demonstrate diversity today?

Application Requirements

Applicants are requested to provide a proposal, supported by examples of their visual arts practice. Please do not send physical art works through the post. Supporting materials required to accompany your proposal can be as follows:

• Visual support in the form of jpeg, CD, DVD, website links to your work (ensure films are no longer than 10 minutes);
• CV – indicating your experience and any exhibitions in which you have featured;
• A statement about your professional development requirements in no more than 200 words;
• An expression of interest outlining your proposed project and how it will be achieved in no more than 500 words. Please include a draft budget for your project – which should be in the region of £5,000, including materials and the cost of exhibition.

Deadline

The deadline for applications is 5.00pm on Friday 6th January 2012. Applications will not be considered after this deadline. Short listing will take place on Friday 13th January 2012; interviews are scheduled for Friday 20th January 2012 at the School of Art, Margaret Street, Birmingham.

Submissions address

Applications can be submitted by email or post. For email please send your application and all attachments to:markerting@the-drum.org.uk. Postal applications should be addressed to: Kalaboration Artist Commission, The Drum Arts Centre, 144 Potters Lane, Aston, Birmingham B6 4UU.

Selection Process

Applicants will be shortlisted on the basis of their proposal and supporting material. The selection panel will consist of members of the Steering Committee. Decisions will be made on the basis of the proposal submitted and the subsequent interview.

Project timeline

‘Kalaboration’ is scheduled to commence in January 2012 and to end in November 2012. The deadline for applications is 5.00pm on Friday 6th January 2012. Applications will not be considered after this deadline. Short listing will take place on Friday 13th January 2012; interviews are scheduled for Friday 20th January 2012 at the School of Art, Margaret Street, Birmingham.

Further information

For further information about this project please contact Leeanne Stoddart, Marketing & Press Officer 0121 333 2409 or email l.stoddart@the-drum.org.uk

Kalaboration Press Release (1) Dec

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