The "Elsewhere" Ruthin International Arts Festival 2024, set in Ruthin, North Wales, calls for artists and poets working in video art, installation art, public art, or poetry. This festival, themed "Elsewhere," seeks to delve into space, identity, and community through art in Ruthin's medieval town.

The inaugural edition of Ruthin International Arts Festival invites contemporary artists and poets who work in video art, installation art, public art or poetry to together transform the ancient mediaeval town of Ruthin in North Wales, into a dynamic, experimental living art scene.

Centred around the theme "Elsewhere," our festival aims to explore concepts of space, identity, and community within the historic context of Ruthin.

We are currently accepting submissions for three dynamic strands of the festival:

• 100 Poets: We aim to curate a collection of 100 poets, celebrating a diversity of linguistic and cultural backgrounds. Selected poems will be woven into the fabric of Ruthin, either displayed in public spaces or vocalised in their original languages by poets. We’re particularly interested in poems written in languages other than English. Please let us know whether you want to participate in a reading.

• Moving Image: Looking for works of moving images that push boundaries and provoke thought. Your work should engage with the festival's theme, offering new perspectives on space, identity, or community. Selected work will be displayed in one of the oldest timber houses in Wales.

• Site-responsive installation and sculpture: Calling for installation, sculpture and public art pieces that can have a dialogue with Ruthin's environment, architecture, natural landscapes and histories. We're interested in works that can have an unique chemistry with Ruthin. Selected work will either be displayed in a field or integrated within the existing buildings in Ruthin. Venue informations can be found below.

Festival Details:

Dates: 28 June - 3 July 2024, with special focus on opening days (28-29 June).

Location: Ruthin, North Wales - incorporating both indoor and outdoor venues.

More about the festival and venue information: 

Ruthin International Arts Festival 2024 - General Information

Selected artists will receive:

• Technical support.

• International press coverage.

• Documentation of their work.

• Opportunities to interact with fellow artists, film directors, and poets.

• Consideration for an artist residency in Ruthin.

 Poets selected for readings will additionally receive:

• Accommodation in Ruthin (28-30 June).

• Travel expenses within the UK.

• A modest subsidy. 

Submission guidelines:

We welcome submissions from artists and poets at any stage of idea development. We particularly encourage participation from BAME, underrepresented artists, and individuals from the Global South.

Whether your idea is fully formed or in the early stages, we encourage submissions from artists and poets who resonate with our vision. Projects that cannot be included this year may still be considered for the 2025 festival.

There is no submission fee to apply. You may apply to multiple strands; however, please complete a separate form for each application.

Submission deadline:

8 April 2024, 23:59 (UK time)

This is a unique opportunity to be part of the inaugural "Elsewhere" festival. We look forward to seeing your creative proposals and potentially featuring your work in the festival.

 Enquiries:

Please contact us through the Contact curator tab