Deep Adaptation - Commission Opportunity

Deadline: 27/06/2017

Venue: The NewBridge Project  |  City: Newcastle upon Town / North East  |  Country: United Kingdom  |  Rebecca Huggan

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This commission is for artists, activists and collectives interested in collaborative projects that engage with ideas and themes connected to the Deep Adaptation agenda.

Deep Adaptation - Commission Opportunity

Following on from conversations started during Hidden Civil War, The NewBridge Project is taking a new approach to commissioning our programme over the next year. We are looking to hear from artists, activists and collectives interested in collaborative projects that engage with ideas and themes connected to the Deep Adaptation agenda. 

In the last forty years, the global economy has grown by 380%. During the same period, the number of people in poverty has increased by 1.1 billion. This widely accepted culture of ‘consumption’ directly impacts the climate, causes huge household debts and a breakdown in social care networks, facilitates time poor lifestyles and zero hour working contracts, creates a reliance on food banks and allows a rise in domestic violence and homophobic attacks: is this kind of ‘growth’ really something we value?

In response to this context the deep adaptation agenda involves resilience, relinquishment and restoration:

Resilience involves people and communities better coping with disruptions. What are the tools we need to do this?

Relinquishment involves people and communities letting go of certain assets, behaviors and beliefs where retaining them could make matters worse. How do we let go?

Restoration involves people and communities rediscovering attitudes and approaches to life and organization that require less management, or increased community-level productivity and support. How do we re-build?

Whilst drawing on ideas from climate change theory and the Deep Adaptation agenda (Bendell, 2016), we are also looking to extend this into a wider societal context. We invite proposals that respond to broader issues within our society through the lens of deep adaptation, including (but not limited to); climate change, social welfare, zero hours contracts, food poverty, homelessness and domestic violence. 

INFORMATION

We are interested in hearing from artists, activists, researchers and collectives interested in producing new commissions and projects that engage with ideas of resilience, relinquishment and restoration and the Deep Adaptation agenda.

We will be supporting 5 new commissions of up to £5000 each, and are asking for an expression of interest outlining your initial ideas.

This fee is to cover research and development, artist fees, travel & expenses, engagement, production and materials.

We are interested in ideas that focus on social engagement, off-site installation and integrating global issues within a local context. Where appropriate, projects should include community engagement, through co-production, collaboration, workshops and conversation.

As part of the commissioning process, successful applicants will come to a Development Lab on Wednesday 19 July at The NewBridge Project. This lab will give selected artists a chance to meet each other and the programme team, discuss their projects and develop ideas collaboratively as part of a wider conversation. The lab will allow us to explore links between commissions, looking at the ways in which the projects can complement each other, and to encourage learning and support between artists and communities.

Process:

We are asking for initial expressions of interest which include:

-       Initial idea(s) for commission/project

-       Outline of your interest in the theme

-       Background on your work and any previous relevant experience

-       An artist CV

-       Links to your work

-       Please send your application through the Curator Space form

 

Further notes:

-       If you have a smaller project or one-off idea that responds to the Deep Adaptation agenda please get in touch

-       We are interested in working with artists at all stages of their career

-       It isn’t a requirement to have worked in collaborative ways previously.

-       The NewBridge Project and the programming team can support you to make new links and relationships, and offer advice on co-production.

-       If you are already working with a group or have a community in mind that you would like to work with let us know.

-       Please get in touch if you have any questions!

Key Dates

Deadline for expression of interest: Tuesday 27 June, 5pm

Development Lab: Wednesday 19 July in Newcastle upon Tyne (please note you must be able to attend the development lab if selected)

Commission development/delivery period: August 2017 – April 2018

Background information:

The NewBridge Project:

The NewBridge Project is a triple award winning artist-led community supporting the development of artists and curators through the provision of space for creative practice, curatorial opportunities and an ambitious artist-led programme of exhibitions, commissions and events.

The NewBridge Project was established in 2010 to provide exchange and support in an engaged and discursive community of artists. We develop artistic talent through artist development programmes, curatorial opportunities and provision of space. The shared workspace is a critical and collaborative environment that allows artists to discuss and develop new ideas and projects.

We aim to deliver an outstanding programme of exhibitions, performances, screenings, educational talks and workshops in consultation with artist members, creating a programme responsive to the socio, political and civic environment within which it exists and seeks to be a genuine community resource.
http://thenewbridgeproject.com

Hidden Civil War background:

Hidden Civil War was a month long programme of activity in Newcastle upon Tyne, commissioned by The NewBridge Project. Throughout October 2016 we invited activists and artists to contribute to a series of events that exposed, collated and presented evidence of a Hidden Civil War in Britain today.

The conversation that was started is not one that can end now. There is an urgency for a response to events as they happen, but there is also a need to prepare for the long-game: this is a marathon, not a sprint. We need to foster a practical conversation; one that acknowledges discomfort, embodies varied agendas, breaks down silos and, ultimately, creates a space for growth.  

http://thenewbridgeproject.com/events/hidden-civil-war/

 

Contact the curator
Who is eligible for this opportunity?
This opportunity is open to artists, activists, researchers and collectives.
We are interested in working with artists at all stages of their career
When is the deadline?
Tuesday 27 June, 5pm
When is the delivery date?
Commission development/delivery period: August 2017 – April 2018
How much does it cost?
It's free to apply for this opportunity
Are there payments to artists?
We will be supporting 5 new commissions of up to £5000 each

This fee is to cover research and development, artist fees, travel & expenses, engagement, production and materials.
What are the exhibition opening hours?
It is not a requirement that commissions result in a final piece of work or exhibition
What publicity will be provided as part of the opportunity?
All projects will be marketed through The NewBridge Project
What happens if my proposal is chosen?
Successful applicants will come to a Development Lab on Wednesday 19 July at The NewBridge Project. This lab will give selected artists a chance to meet each other and the programme team, discuss their projects and develop ideas collaboratively as part of a wider conversation. The lab will allow us to explore links between commissions, looking at the ways in which the projects can complement each other, and to encourage learning and support between artists and communities.
What kind of proposals are you looking for?
We are interested in ideas that focus on social engagement, off-site installation and integrating global issues within a local context. Where appropriate, projects should include community engagement, through co-production, collaboration, workshops and conversation.
What are the selection criteria?
Proposals that engage with ideas and themes connected to the Deep Adaptation agenda.
Do I need to be from the North East to apply?
No, but commissions must respond and understand the ideas they explore within a local context, and where appropriate should include community engagement, through co-production, collaboration, workshops and conversation.

All commissions and projects must respond to the North East and be based in the North East.

Please note there is no additional budget for travel or accommodation for artists from outside the region
Do I need to have a background in community and socially engaged projects?
No, it isn’t a requirement to have worked in collaborative ways previously.
The NewBridge Project and the programming team can support you to make new links and relationships, and offer advice on co-production.

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