Newcastle Arts Centre and Creative Central: NCL are pleased to announce an open call for local artists to take part in an exhibition and mentoring opportunity this autumn.

OPEN CALL: 

This project has been supported by the Creative Central: NCL programme, funded by the North of Tyne Combined Authority and Newcastle City Council.

'Brass Tacks' is a new project that offers mentoring, support and exhibition opportunities for emerging and established artists. Four selected artists will exhibit their artworks in the newly-refurbished Newcastle Arts Centre Gallery, in an exhibition as part of a six-month programme of events, exhibitions and skills development opportunities for emerging and established local artists. There is no given theme for this open call, but a theme for the show will be developed with the selected artists.

In an eight-week programme, selected artists will each receive support in the following ways:

• A group exhibition in Newcastle Arts Centre Gallery (open to the public for five weeks)

• 1:1 mentoring with the Artist Development Coordinator 

• Exhibition group planning

• A micro bursary of £1200 for time and materials, paid in instalments

• Access to a Makerspace to fabricate artworks (1 day)

• Business skills and professional development support

• Promotional support (social media, printed advertisements and published press)

• Technical skills support (for fabrication and installation of artworks)

The exhibition will be open for a total of five weeks, with a preview evening on Friday 8th September. As part of the overarching programme, free workshops will be made available to the public led by some of the selected artists (a further paid opportunity), and an open forum evening for people to attend and discuss careers, opportunities and the artworks on display.

What We Are Looking For

We are looking for local, early-career and more established artists living or working in Newcastle upon Tyne, who are interested in developing their artistic practice in an exhibition context.  In particular, we are looking for individuals who believe that they would benefit from the mentoring and support that this opportunity provides, without prior access to exhibition spaces within the city centre.

We are open to all media and will assist in the process of developing new work if necessary and possible. We are also interested in works that explore social, cultural, and political ideas, with particular reference to the local geographic area.

Sales

Work can be made for sale at the event and is subject to a 33% gallery fee (77% artist fee).

Selection Process

Our Artist Development Coordinator will meet with members of the Newcastle Arts Centre Board of Trustees to select the artists and their works and their decision will be final. The panel will consider the following criteria:

• The quality of the work

• Whether the artist will benefit from the skills development programme

• The originality of the work

Please note, if successful, your final artwork must be delivered to the Newcastle Arts Centre no later than 28th August.

Artists are responsible for their own insurance and the prompt collection of any unsold work.

We look forward to receiving your submissions!

Dates

• Submission deadline…Thursday 20th July, 11:59pm

• Participants informed by… Thursday 3rd August

• Installation week… Begins Saturday 2nd September

• Exhibition launch… Friday 8th September, 5pm.

• Deinstall week… 16th October - 20th October

This opportunity has been made possible by Creative Central: NCL (formerly known as Newcastle City’s Culture & Creative Zone).