Open call for an artist/s to deliver two 3 week workshops aimed at children age 6 to 10 and 11 to 16 as part of the S-o-A Community Art Project in Stratford upon Avon.

The S-o-A Community Art Project is based in the Clopton area of Stratford upon Avon. It is an area with high numbers of families facing disadvantage. The Project has been initiated by the local Clopton Community Action Group, to provide access to arts experiences, and art for wellbeing and community connection.  The project is in collaboration with the local community and artist & project lead, Helen Kilby Nelson. 

The underlying theme of the project has been around language and the environment, thinking about what connects us, not what divides us.  Previous workshops have included a 'Drift & Discover' to collect colour, shape, sound and texture, 'Knitting Narratives', Sewing Stories' and 'De/Code Maker', to respond to the colours, shapes and textures of the environment and the 'Clopton Community Comedy Club' that is using the language of laughter as members respond to the environment, both physical and digital, of Stratford upon Avon.

We would like to commission an artist/s to deliver participatory workshops that can be enjoyed by children between the ages of 6 and 16, that respond to the theme of language, environment and connection. We invite you to respond to this as broadly as you wish and welcome alternative ways of interpreting this.

We are interested in all forms of art medium and are interested in artists who have a passion for making art and creative activities accessible to all.  This feels particularly poignant at this moment in time when the arts are being cut in our schools and access for those facing disadvantage will be made even harder.

Artists will be supported by members of the community action group and will be provided with free refreshments.  Each artist will receive a fee of £500 to deliver 3, two hour long workshops.  We have a separate budget for materials and this will be negotiated with each artist.

The workshops will take place in the local community centre, the Ken Kennett Centre.  This is a large, well ventilated space with disabled access, kitchen and toilets. Participant numbers will be decided based on covid guidelines at the time.

When completing your application please consider health & safety and accessibility (including your own).  If you have any access requirements please let us know so we can support you.  The centre also has free to access wifi connection.

We will give preference to applications received from under represented groups and/or artists based in Stratford upon Avon/South Warwickshire.  

You are welcome to apply to deliver both 3 week workshops or select just one, please tell us in your proposal.

The deadline for applications is midday, Monday 7th June and we will contact applicants by Monday 14th June.