We are looking for an artist to create a piece of artwork that can be used in our online festival, as well as in a future exhibition, that explores different peoples’ views and experiences throughout this period of lockdown. We are particularly interested in cartoon styles.

ARTIST BRIEF

We want to commission a cartoon strip which explores people’s feelings of hope and heritage, particularly throughout this period of lockdown, which we feel has heightened people’s awareness of their own stories and encouraged people to reflect.

We hope to gather material about people’s experiences, and would like these turned into cartoon pieces, suitable and engaging for young people. Whilst we may gather other materials, most of the materials gathered are likely to be centred around oral history which we have collected as a group through interviews.

We also hope, whilst this becomes a part of an online festival later in August, that it is also able to become a part of a wider effort to collect things for an exhibition when the museum can open again, giving voice to people whose stories wouldn’t usually be told.

WHO ARE WE?

We are Chester Young Producers. We are a group of young people creating a “Festival of Hope” for Chester which will reflect on our heritage, as well as creating a message of hope.

The “Festival of Hope Chester” is a weekend for young curious minds to explore and empower other curious minds, through art, music and film providing an escape young people during these unprecedented times.

DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE

- Experience of working collaboratively to co-design and co-create projects

- Able to work over video calls

-  The chosen artist must be willing to apply for an Enhanced DBS Check.  Due to the short time frame, having an up to date DBS check in place would be preferable.

TIMEFRAME

We wish to have the piece up and running on our website by the 29th & 30th of August, where it will form part of our Online Festival of Hope.

SUPPORT STRUCTURE

The artist will report to Chester Young Producers, who will approve all designs. The group are supported by a Project Producer, who will support the artist as necessary. 

TO APPLY

Please apply using the submission form. If you have any questions, or wish to submit in an alternative format such as film or audio, please contact us using the Contact Curator tab.

DEADLINE

Midday 9th July 2020.

The first round of shortlisting will be open for two weeks.

ARTIST FEE

The budget for this project is: £1,500-2000 (including expenses & dependent on experience).

The artist’s fee covers all work relating to the project, the artist will work on a self-employed basis.

SELECTION PROCESS

The commission will be selected through open competition, the open call will be open for two weeks.

Artist applications will be shortlisted by Chester Young Producers, who will then be in touch to ask any further questions, if necessary, before selecting a final artist.

BACKGROUND TO THE FESTIVAL OF HOPE

The Festival of Hope is a pioneering festival that places young people at the heart of design, making, programming and production.  The Festival of Hope is part of Hope Streets, a five-year project creating a strategic partnership between heritage and youth sectors in the North West, led by Curious Minds and supported with funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. 

Chester Young Producers are supported by West Cheshire Museums, a group of museums operated by Cheshire West and Chester Council. The group includes Grosvenor Museum (Chester), Lion Salt Works (Northwich), Weaver Hall Museum (Northwich) and Stretton Water Mill (Malpas). West Cheshire Museums are committed to showing that young people are truly agents of change; by supporting the amazing things that happen when young people have the power to make decisions.