Animate Projects and the British Ceramics Biennial invite expressions of interest from artists to research and develop (R&D) ideas for a residency/film commission: Place Setting.

The British Ceramics Biennial and Animate Projects are working together to commission an artist working in animation to undertake a residency-commission, engaging pottery workers and/or former workers in the process, and producing a film for exhibition as part of the British Ceramics Biennial 2023, for festivals, and online.

Place Setting sets out to explore ideas of ceramics as making, and of animation as something that is made and crafted, whether physically or digitally; the respective, literal processes and materials of making; the central and cultural importance of the artist and maker.

The title ‘place setting’ refers to a set of tableware – plates, bowls, cups – for dining, and resonates with how our feeling of pride in where we live is shaped by its particular culture, industry and workers. 

In this R&D stage, we will work with an artist to develop a proposal, including identifying potential partners in the Potteries and faciliating initial conversations.  For the R&D stage, the artist will receive a fee of £1,000, to cover the costs involved in the research and development of ideas for a residency/commission. Some additional support is available to help cover expenses and travel costs. The R&D stage is supported by public funding from the National Lottery through Arts Council England. During the R&D period we will develop an application for funding for the full project for production and exhibition, with a view to exhibition at British Ceramics Biennial 2023.

Our definition of animation is broad and inclusive - frame by frame, digital or analogue, drawn, stop motion, CGI, etc.

The Place Setting commission will be part of Animate's WORK project, and continues our interest in supporting artists working with animation to develop their skills, to work in new and collaborative contexts, to engage people with their process.   

Place Setting timetable

• The programme is in two phases: a research and development phase, and a second phase of production and exhibition.
• The R&D will take place between May and July 2022.
• The second stage – further development, production and exhibition, would take place from late 2022 to Autumn 2023. 

Please note:

• During the R&D period we will develop an application for funding for the full project for production and exhibition, with a view to exhibition at British Ceramics Biennial 2023.
• There will be a gap between the end of the R&D period and the full project proceeding (subject to securing funding).

What is expected in the R&D phase?

• The commissioning partners will support, guide and facilitate artists to develop ideas and a proposal, and to identify and begin to engage with organisations and people in the Potteries.

It is expected that rhe selected artist/s will:

• Visit Stoke on Trent to meet BCB, Animate Projects, and potential partners
• Attend at least three online meetings with the commissioning partners.
• Work with us to identify and begin to engage with participants.
• Begin to develop a proposal.

What are we looking for?

We are interested in proposals that:

• Explore the ideas of ceramics as making, and of animation as something that is made and crafted, whether physically or digitally.
• Explore the literal processes and materials of making in both animation and ceramics making/industry.
• Explore the central and cultural importance of the artist, craftsperson and maker.
• See engagement with work and workers as integral to the project’s development and realisation.

Eligibility

Place Setting is a development opportunity for established artists working in animation. You must:

• Have an established practice and a track record of practice.
• Have an interest in participatory/engaged ways of working (experience is not necessary).
• Be committed to learning, engaging and developing your practice through a collaborative process.
• Be interested working with commissioners in identifying and approaching organisations or people in the Potteries that you might work with (you don’t need to identify partners to make an expression of interest).
• Be resident and able to work in the UK.

Full time students are not eligible. The opportunity is not for those wishing to develop work as part of their academic research.

To apply

Please submit your expression of interest through CuratorSpace. We ask you: 

• For a statement about your work and experience (max 300 words)
• To tell us why you're interested in Place Setting, and what approach you might take (maximum 500 words)
• To upload your CV
• To provide links to relevant examples of previous work

Please also complete the monitoring form here: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/CHBZXDC

The deadline is noon, Monday, 25 April 2022.

Selection

Artists will be selected by representatives from Animate and British Ceramics Biennial.

We may want to discuss proposals with applicants, and if so, expect to do this by Zoom on Tuesday, 3 May.

When can you expect to hear from us?

We will inform artists of our decision by 13 May 2022. We regret that we are unable to offer feedback.

If you have any questions, please contact Gary Thomas through CuratorSpace. Please note that it may take a couple of days to get back to you.

About us

British Ceramics Biennial

https://www.britishceramicsbiennial.com/

The British Ceramics Biennial (BCB) launched in 2009 with a festival celebrating and showcasing contemporary ceramics from across the world.  Set in Stoke-on-Trent – the heart of the UK ceramics industry, the festival takes place in established venues and non-traditional spaces across the city.

Over its ten years of our existence BCB has built up a programme of projects of artists’ residencies, fellowships, commissions, education and enterprise projects running year round. The initiative is intended to be a catalyst for regeneration in the region and to create a platform for innovation and excellence celebrating the best in current ceramic practices, both nationally and internationally.

BCB works in partnership with organisations and individuals in the museums, cultural, industry, business, education, community and voluntary sectors across the city in the development and delivery of projects with a particular focus on public engagement.

Animate Projects

https://animateprojects.org/

Animate champions experiment in animation. Its mission is to engage the public with the creativity and craft of the art form through developing new work, supporting artists to create thought provoking projects, engaging with audiences across digital and physical contexts, maintaining an extensive online archive and resource, advocacy and promoting critical debate.

Place Setting continues our interest in supporting artists to undertake extended periods of development, to work in specific sites and contexts, and to engage the public in their process. Please check out our project WORK as an example of our approach.