CAS wishes to appoint an artist in residence for three months from Sep to Dec 2019 to work with two community groups in the Andover area, in collaboration with Andover library and the Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium. There will be points in the project to share knowledge and skills with the wider Andover community, celebrate participants work through an Andover based CAS exhibition and ultimately create a work to go on display in the Winchester Science Centre, an organisation that engages more people than any either UK science organisation outside London. The artist will be based at the CAS project space, Chapel Arts Studios where there will be personal studio space and access to a wide variety of resources and equipment.

Overall theme

Despite the shifting political, social and environmental landscape around us, 2019 has been a year to look beyond to the wider picture. With the 50th commemoration of the moon landing upon us, photographs from the far side of the Moon and the first images of black holes emerging, we are reminded that we are part of something bigger. Just as the moon landing was a journey into the unknown, space travel mirrors our journey through life as we step out into an unknown future. Even though Andover town is just a tiny dot on a map, science reminds us that we are connected, not only on a macro level with the vast expanses of our universe but also on a micro level with subatomic particles, and the infinitely complex universe of our own bodies.

During this residency the artist will work with two community groups to explore these themes, creating work which not only communicates learning gathered over the course of the residency in connection with the Winchester Science Centre, but also how these themes resonate with local lives. 

Andover is a Hampshire based town with a mix of demographic and a significant population falling into the lowest category economically and socially. Despite this it is the town of great possibility with many community groups and active projects seeking to enrich and build up community life together. Through this project we want to connect Andover with the bigger picture, experiencing our place in a universe of hope and possibility.

Project Aims

The project aims are to bring great art experiences to Andover town, using these to gain and disseminate knowledge through collaboration with the Winchester science centre, opening doors to new skills, building confidence, enriching lives and connecting communities while doing so. 

The groups

The artist will work with:

• Andover Young Carers - a group of aged 9 to 14 year-old young people who regularly care for a significant person in their lives. 
• Picket Twenty Fillies - a lively group of WI women who meet on a new housing estate in Andover.
• The wider community in at least one town centre activity day.

Who we are looking for

The artist we are looking for will have experience of working with participants, ideally of all ages but particularly young people. They can work in any media but must include some practical drawing or making within the residency at some stage. Although they do not necessarily need to be a digital artist, an awareness of digital possibilities is an advantage due to the technology available at the Winchester Science Centre and planetarium. The final artwork for display will need to communicate in some way some of the knowledge gained over the project to the general public visiting the centre. The artist will need to have their own *public liability insurance and *DBS certificate. 

*CAS can facilitate access to the DBS application process and advise on reasonably priced insurance.

The structure of the project

The residency will begin provisionally on 16th September and complete on 7th December 2019.

The main elements of the project will include:

• A visit to Winchester Science Centre and planetarium.
• A street event in Andover Town centre for knowledge sharing with potential mobile planetarium and drop in activities for the general public.
• A connection to Andover library both as a resource and a potential partner for town centre event.
• A minimum of four workshop sessions with each of the two participatory groups
• A celebratory exhibition at CAS 
• The creation of an artwork to be installed in the Winchester Science Centre.
• A final celebratory event potentially at the Winchester science centre and planetarium.
• An evaluation report

The Artists Fee

The artist will receive £7000 pounds in total for the residency, including evaluation. £2000 is available for materials and installation of the final artwork.

How to apply

Create two PDF documents as follows:

1. Your CV including contact details, saved as a PDF entitled: yourfirstname-yourlastname-CV.pdf

2. A second PDF containing

• Proposal – One side of A4 to include; how you will work with the two groups and how your proposal responds to our overall theme 
• Budget – A rough breakdown of costs
• Outline of possible activities for town centre event – 200 words max
• 5 x Images of past work
• Links to website, social media accounts

Entitle this PDF: yourfirstname-yourlastname-BiggerPicture.pdf

Time frame:

Deadline for application: 31st July

Shortlist announced: 5th August

Interview dates: 14th / 15th August

Decision announced: 18th August 2019

It may be helpful to visit Winchester Science Centre if possible to familiarise yourself with the possibilities for the potential artwork. It may be worth noting that the display area has a large open section in the centre looking down to the lower floor where large scale work could be suspended.

The centre also has considerable open outdoor space around the building, although mostly fairly rough countryside. If you wish to visit the centre you must inform them by email first at info@winchestersciencecentre.org and you will be allowed free entry (for one artist only).

Any questions concerning this opportunity or special requirements to make application accessible please contact us.