Using research about visual artists' working conditions to provide resources, money and projects for professional artists.

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ArtsChain

The Importance of Participatory Arts – An Open Letter

A letter prepared by ArtsChain to advocate for the important role of the participatory arts movement for the arts in the UK in the next ten years. It has been written to captures the views of smaller organisations and individuals working in this area as freelancers or micro-businesses. Sign online if you support these proposals.
The Future
Jun 30
Space for Learning: freelancer needs

Space for Learning: freelancer needs

The Clore Duffield Foundation, Group for Education in Museums (GEM), Engage and the Theatre Education Forum (TEF) are working together to draw up guidance on how Learning spaces in museums, galleries, heritage and performing arts sites can manage the risk of transmission when reopening to the public. They want to hear from freelancers and staff who deliver learning services about your current concerns, needs, and new skills you need to develop. Survey contains 12 questions and is intended to take five to 10 minutes to complete.
Surveys and research
Jun 30
Reopening advice

Reopening advice for venues

Numerous organisations and UK Government bodies are publishing information and guidance on safe reopening during this phase of the Covid-19 / coronavirus pandemic, from 4 July 2020 (at the time of writing). Although permitted, many venues are anecdotally reporting a delay in reopening due to a lack of resources to make their buildings safe. Resources have been published by the UK Government, Eventbrite, and Arts Council England.
Practical advice
Jun 30
Demos: Renew Normal

Renew Normal

Renew Normal is a national conversation about how the UK can rebuild after the COVID-19 crisis, run by think-tank and research group Demos. It aims to gather stories about what your life has been like throughout this period to help create a society that works for everyone.
Surveys and researchThe Future
Jun 29

Common Ground Commissions

Season for Change are delighted to launch Common Ground, a programme of four £10,000 commissions for artists, makers or creators, and a professional development programme focused on cultural climate leadership. Season for Change is a nationwide programme of artistic and cultural events that celebrate the environment and inspire urgent climate action.  In order to challenge existing imbalances in the climate movement, Common Ground invites applications from artists who identify as Black, Asian and minority ethnic/POC, refugee, D/deaf, disabled, neurodivergent, working class and/or LGBTQI+. Find out more and apply here. Photo credit:  Breathe!, Numbi Arts and Virtual Migrants. Part of Artsadmin's 2 Degree Festival. Photo by Greg Goodale
CommissionsProfessional development
Jun 23

Filmpro Online Commissions

During lockdown creative production and exhibition has necessarily been moving onto online platforms, in response, filmpro will support the development and delivery of 4 commissions for self-defining disabled emerging artists. These commissions will address the barriers that disabled artists face when producing work for online exhibition. These commissions aim to push the boundaries of digital platforms, while finding the tools to create work in new ways. The work could reflect on the unexpected positive consequences of the Covid-19 crisis. Find out more and apply here. 
CommissionsProfessional developmentThings to do
Jun 17
Hastings Museum & Art Gallery

Hastings Museum & Art Gallery commission: Black Lives Matter

To amplify and support the work of Black and ethnic minority creators, Hastings Museum & Art Gallery will commission open responses from local Black and minority ethnic people to George Floyd’s killing and the Black Lives Matter movement. Expected £1,000 budget for 3-4 responses.
Commissions
Jun 15
Black Artists Grant

Black Artists Grant

The Black Artists Grant, established by Creative Debuts, is a number of £500 grants given out no-strings attached every month to a black artist in the UK.
Money
Jun 15
Synergi Stories: Covid-19 eJournal survey

Synergi Stories: Covid-19 eJournal survey

This survey aims to capture and document the narratives of ethnic minority people with lived experience of severe mental distress and their carers during the Coronavirus pandemic. Covid-19 is generating great uncertainty and social and economic conditions that are adversely impacting people’s mental and physical health, access to equitable treatment and access to relevant information. This has been amplified by the new Coronavirus Act 2020 and emergency changes being made to the Mental Health Act. The Synergi Collaborative Centre will use the information you provide to create an online journal to capture and document experiences, build a community of knowledge and support, create connections and resources, and to improve services.
Community and networksHealth and wellbeingSurveys and research
Jun 12
Artillery

SAME SKY commission

Waltham Forest artists are invited to apply for £2,000 ​(inclusive of VAT, materials, design, supporting creative participation, & installation) by Wednesday 17 June, 5pm to deliver a temporary collaborative installation with elements created by residents that can be brought together, assembled and enjoyed aspart of the Walthamstow Garden Party (July 2021). The project should create a sense of collective action and togetherness in this very strange and difficult time resulting in a visual representation of collaboration and coming together again. Full details on Artillery website.
Commissions
Jun 12
Art Fund

Art Fund museums survey report

The Art Fund ran a survey in April 2020 to help shape the funding they will offer during the pandemic lockdown, and to understand the kind of financial, marketing and professional support required. The results are now reported. Main findings include:
  • 85% of directors are concerned about their ability to attract visitors back once they reopen
  • while 86% of organisations have increased their online presence, digital resources and expertise are patchy, and many museums are left behind
  • 56% of directors are worried about the viability of their organisations
Surveys and research
Jun 12

Jerwood/FVU Awards 2022

The Jerwood/FVU Awards 2022 are a major opportunity for UK-based moving-image artists in the first five years of developing their professional practice. Jerwood Arts and Film and Video Umbrella invite early-career artists to make proposals for ambitious new works in any form of the moving-image. 2 Awardees will receive a £25k moving-image commission and exhibitions at Leeds Art Gallery and Jerwood Arts, London. Read the full call for entries here.
CommissionsProfessional developmentThings to do
Jun 12
#WeShallNotBeRemoved

#WeShallNotBeRemoved

A new national disability arts initiative has been launched, led by disabled people for disabled people working across the UK’s creative industries, to promote a sustainable future for disability and inclusive arts in the UK through and after the Covid-19 pandemic. Over 150 individual disabled creative practitioners, disability arts organisations and those that work inclusively, from across the four UK nations, across artforms and across impairment groups have already taken up membership of #WeShallNotBeRemoved. Membership is​ ​free, open to all individual D/deaf, neurodiverse and disabled creative practitioners and disability focused organisations operating in UK arts, museums and film. Anyone interested in joining the alliance should email weshallnotberemoved@gmail.com Image: Zoom meeting convened by Andrew Miller, UK Government Disability Champion for Arts and Culture, in April with disabled artists and arts organisations to explore working together to meet the new challenges and barriers facing disabled people working across the UK’s creative industries
Community and networksHealth and wellbeingThe Future
Jun 08
Art Licks Tele

Art Licks Tele

A weekly diary from artists and writers during the UK's Covid-19 lockdown. Watch episode 1 with Phil Coy & Frances Scott, Mel Francis & Christopher P. Green, Lucy Joyce, and director of Art Licks Holly Willats
Things to do
Jun 08
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