KCAW21 Public Art Trail Open Call

Deadline: 31/12/2020

City: London  |  Region: London  |  Country: United Kingdom  |  Kensington + Chelsea Art Week

Expenses paid

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The Kensington + Chelsea Art Week (KCAW) Public Art Trail creates ambitious temporary installations across the West London borough. For its fourth edition, and in order to give greater visibility to locally based creative talent, KCAW is launching an open call to artists, creative organisations and curators to submit artworks to be displayed in a variety of public spaces for one month or longer during Kensington + Chelsea Art Week in Summer 2021.

Kensington + Chelsea Art Week (KCAW) is a festival celebrating the borough’s artistic legacy and its abundant creative future. 

Founded in 2018 and developed with community consultation, KCAW shines a spotlight on the area's unexpected and unique cultural variety across a multitude of studios, museums, galleries, exhibition spaces and businesses, attracting local and international audiences hundreds of events and installations throughout the borough.

2020 saw the biggest and most successful Art Week to date, spanning 130 venues and 200+ installations, exhibitions and digital project, in a true celebration of arts, culture and resilience in our area of London.

PUBLIC ART TRAIL

The KCAW Public Art Trail creates temporary landmarks across the borough, connecting RBKC through an evolving discovery trail, explored on foot and through digital experiences. 

Each year, KCAW presents thought-provoking installations and murals, which in the past have included work by Alex Chinneck, Liz West, Terry O'Neill, Laura Ford, Amanda Parer, James Capper and Richard Woods. KCAW20 saw the expansion of its public art programme to more sites with eleven installations by invited artists and selected through an Open Call. 

In 2021 we will continue the expansion of the temporary Public Art Trail throughout the borough, extending the duration of all installations to a minimum of one month and up to a year, increasing visibility and engagement with local residents and visitors.

The Public Art Trail will be featured across all KCAW platforms. Exclusive behind-the-scenes content about each work will be shared on the new KCAW Culture Map, providing unique insights about the installations and the artists who created them.

CALL FOR ENTRIES

In order to give greater visibility to locally based creative talent, KCAW21 is launching an open call to artists, creative organisations and curators to submit pre-existing artworks to take place in a variety of public spaces during KCAW21. 

Participation in KCAW21 is an opportunity to engage new audiences, it provides a platform on which to present work in extraordinary locations while exhibiting alongside renowned cultural organisations and leading artists. 

Successful proposals for KCAW21 Public Art will feature public art installations in the borough’s public realm and urban spaces. 

The shortlisted proposals will be evaluated by an Art Committee made up of leading names from the visual arts, performance arts, literature and media. The Art Committee will verify that the proposals fit the selection criteria, including their viability for display in the public sphere and safety for public use; will assess how the projects reflect the KCAW21 curatorial theme; and will evaluate their suitability to the proposed site, allocating the final locations for the projects.

Successful proposals will be featured in the festival’s core programme, as part of the printed KCAW Guide, the digital Culture Map, and as key features in the KCAW marketing campaign, benefiting from media coverage of the event.

THEME

The overall theme for KCAW21 is: REIMAGINE

For the Public Art Trail Open Call, KCAW is inviting applicants to consider this theme in their project submission. 

The theme reflects the Festival  mission of creating public spaces for conversation and exchange;  rethinking the purpose and function of public spaces through Art – from places to pass through to places to dwell, play, dream. Enounters with art help us all to re-imagine what’s possible in our own lives; and creativity involves a daily re-imagination of what’s possible.

We will all need to re-imagine the shape of our lives as we seek to re-establish them post- pandemic. But we also must address urgent issues including the climate emergency, reimagining the impact of the Anthropocene; as well as address social and racial justice issues. 

Asking the questions: what if we had made different choices as species or society? what if we make different choices now? what might life be like if we don't? 

BRIEF

  • Submissions are open to artists, curators, groups or collaborations without established commercial representation in the UK. Artists with established representation or commercial galleries should contact the festival to find out how to be involved in KCAW21 and the Public Art Trail.
  • The artworks exhibited are primarily 3D installations and sculpture. The works may be in a broad variety of materials and may be free-standing or may be shown suspended. Digital installations and projects are accepted.
  • We expect that some social distancing regulation will remain in place during KCAW21. As such, interactive works that require sharing equipment, will lead to the creation of crowds, or that cannot allow for 2 metre social distancing, will not be accepted. 
  • Submissions of pre-existing works is highly encouraged. 
  • The Festival will run from 24 June to 4 July 2021. Submitted artworks must be available for display during the KCAW21 dates.
  • Submitted artworks must be available on loan from at least 1 June 2020 and can be displayed outdoors for minimum 28 days. The public art installations may be on display for up to a year, depending on the project and location.
  • The works are on loan at no fee for a period of minimum 5 weeks or longer, depending on the artwork and its final location. This will be agreed shortly after the shortlisted applicants are notified. 
  • Artworks should be in good condition and suitable for display outdoors. A condition report may be requested as part of the Loan Agreement.
  • KCAW covers shipping within the UK, installation, insurance, maintenance costs, and planning applications. Applicants will be responsible for producing their own work, as such, we encourage submission of pre-existing works. 
  • Following the shortlisting stage, artwork sites will be identified and KCAW will work closely with successful applicants throughout all delivery stages, including obtaining relevant documents (council permissions, insurance, etc.); and managing audience flow with the help of security staff and invigilators where needed.
  • Applicants are invited to suggest a location for their work, however, the final locations will be allocated by the Art Committee. Successful applicants will be invited for a site visit to identify which site(s) are most suitable for showcasing the particular work/project. If they have a site to propose, this will also be reviewed.
  • All selected participants will contribute to the promotion of their event and the festival overall when possible (e.g. on social media, newsletters).
  • Applicants are invited to the launch party in June (depending on social distancing regulations), as well as to participate in any press opportunities that may arise.
  • Selected participants may be invited to collaborate on KCAW workshops and talks.


Once you submit your application, you will receive a confirmation email. Should the application be incomplete we will ask for the missing information. However should these not be provided by the 31 December deadline, the application will not be considered. 

Due to the expected high number of applications, please be advised that only successful applicants will be notified.

 

Contact the curator
Who is eligible for this opportunity?
Submissions are open to artists, curators, groups or collaborations without established commercial representation in the UK. Artists with established representation or commercial galleries in the UK should contact the festival to find out how to be involved in KCAW21 and the Public Art Trail.
When is the deadline?
The submissions deadline is 31 December 2020.
How many works can I submit?
Applicants can submit more than one artwork, but separate applications are required for each
How much does it cost?
There are no costs. KCAW covers shipping within the UK, installation, insurance, maintenance costs, and planning applications. Applicants will be responsible for producing their own work, as such, we encourage submission of pre-existing works.
Are there payments to artists?
The works are on loan at no fee. KCAW covers shipping within the UK, installation, insurance, maintenance costs, and planning applications.
Is there a private view / opening?
Applicants are invited to the launch party in June 2021 (depending on social distancing regulations), as well as to participate in any press opportunities that may arise.
What are the installation dates?
The Festival will run from 24 June to 4 July 2021. Submitted artworks must be available for display during the KCAW21 dates.
Does the location have disabled access?
Locations are outdoors and will generally be accessible.
What publicity will be provided as part of the opportunity?
Shortlisted proposals will be featured in the festival’s core programme, as part of the printed KCAW Guide, the digital Culture Map, and as key features in the KCAW marketing campaign, benefiting from media coverage of the event. Artists are invited to the launch party, as well as to participate in any press opportunities that may arise.
Selected artists may be invited to collaborate on KCAW workshops and talks.
Do I need to be present?
No. KCAW works with a team of stewards to invigilate the works and provide information to the public.
Where will my artwork be listed?
The installation will be listed on the KCAW website, digital Culture Map and printed Art Guide (5000 copies). Additionally it will be featured in the KCAW media campaigns; and on the KCAW social media.
How do you decide on proposals?
The shortlisted proposals will be evaluated by an Art Committee made up of leading names from the visual arts, performance arts, literature and media. The Art Committee will verify that the proposals fit the selection criteria, including their viability for display in the public sphere and safety for public use; will assess how the projects reflect the KCAW21 curatorial theme, REIMAGINE; and will evaluate their suitability to the proposed site, allocating the final locations for the projects.
What happens if my proposal is chosen?
You will be contacted by 15 February 2021. Following the shortlisting stage, artwork sites will be identified and KCAW will work closely with successful applicants throughout all delivery stages, including obtaining relevant documents (council permissions, insurance, etc.); and managing audience flow with the help of security staff and invigilators where needed. Successful applicants will be invited for a site visit to identify which site(s) are most suitable for showcasing the particular work/project.
What kind of artworks are you looking for?
We are looking for projects that reflect the curatorial theme for 2021 ”REIMAGINE”

The project may also fit one or more of the following criteria:
- Reflect on the history and legacy of the area where the work will be presented
- Encourage audience engagement
- Evoke the celebratory spirit of the festival

The artworks exhibited are primarily 3D installations and sculpture. The works may be in a broad variety of materials and may be free-standing or may be shown suspended. Digital installations and projects are accepted.

We expect that some social distancing regulation will remain in place during KCAW21. As such, interactive works that require sharing equipment, will lead to the creation of crowds, or that cannot allow for 2 metre social distancing, will not be accepted.

Submissions of pre-existing works is highly encouraged.

Artworks should be in good condition and suitable for display outdoors.
What is the Loan period?
Submitted artworks must be available on loan from at least 1 June 2020 and can be displayed outdoors for minimum 28 days. The public art installations may be installed as early as May 2021 depending on availability, and may be on display for up to a year, depending on the project and its location. The works are on loan at no fee for a period of minimum 5 weeks or longer, depending on the artwork and its final location. This will be agreed shortly after the shortlisted applicants are notified.
What are the locations for the installations?
The KCAW Public Art Trail aims to connect RBKC across seven zones: North Kensington, Notting Hill + Holland Park, Kensington Church Street, High Street Kensington, South Kensington, Sloane Square + King's Road, Old Chelsea + World's End.

KCAW21 Public Art installations areas may include:
Sloane Square
Duke of York Square
Pavilion Road
Holland Park
Avondale Park
King's Road Curve
Exhibition Road
White City Place

Applicants are encouraged to research the borough, its public spaces and institutions, to suggest new Public Art sites for their projects. However, the final locations will be allocated by the Art Committee Panel.
What are the key dates?
16 November – 31 December 2020: call for entries
mid-January 2021: Art Committee votes on successful proposals
w/c 8 February 2021: successful applicants are contacted
March 2021: all participating projects are announced
24 June – 4 July 2021: KCAW21

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