Artists are invited to submit proposals for the next b-side festival in September 2016 on the Isle of Portland, Dorset, UK. New, temporary, site-responsive work in any media. Proposals up to £4000 plus research & development fee. Deadline for applications is 5pm Monday 18 May 2015.

b-side festival 2016

OPEN CALL COMMISSIONS BRIEF

 Summary

The b-side biennial festival commissions site-responsive work for public spaces in Portland revealing aspects of the island environment and communities and their relationship to elsewhere.

 b-side is offering a number of commission opportunities to create new, temporary, site-responsive work in any media for the next festival in September 2016. The commissions will form the core programme of the festival with artists also contributing to talks and other events.

• All commissions include a 3 day residential research visit in early November 2015 (dates TBC)
• All commissions offer support from a curatorial team to help with research and engagement opportunities.
• Awards are for up to £4000 plus an additional sum of £1000 for initial research visit and attendance at the festival in 2016. Successful applicants will also be offered a free ticket to the b-side symposium in October 2015.
• Applicants are welcome to seek additional funding from other funding bodies to support proposals.
• Deadline for applications is 5pm Monday 18 May 2015.

The brief

The 2016 festival will take place on Portland.  Located just off the coast of Dorset and approached via a narrow causeway, this curious island has a very particular history and ecology offering huge scope for research and inspiration.We are looking for ideas that respond to and reveal all aspects of the island, which may include its geology, ecology, archaeology, heritage and its geographic and locational relationships locally and internationally.

Applications are invited from artists working in the following media: visual art, live art, performance art, digital, sound, film, text based work, social media and socially engaged practice.

Proposals for artworks and interventions should be site-responsive and temporary, exploring the fabric, history or contemporary use of the place and aim to intrigue and engage audiences.  Work can be for indoor or outdoor locations, made for intimate spaces as well as larger public places or incorporate a route, journey or event.  A number of suggested sites are listed at the end of the brief, others will be developed and negotiated in discussion with artists in response to commission proposals. Successful applicants will have access to curatorial support, installation assistance, venue facilitation and help with finding accommodation.

 Artists will be selected on the basis of an outline proposal and will then have further opportunity to research and develop the final work. Each commission opportunity includes an introductory residential period in November 2015 allowing the selected artists to research and develop their final proposal. This initial residential period will be an opportunity to get to know the area with talks, walks and introductions to communities and individuals that artists might work with. Artists will have the opportunity for individual exploration of Portland as well as contributing to discussions between the curatorial team and other selected artists.

How to apply:

Awards offer up to £4000 to make work for the b-side festival 2016. This covers the artists fee and all costs including materials, production, installation and de-installation of work, travel and accommodation.

 b-side expects artists attendance at the initial residential research days and for a minimum of 4 days at the 2016 Festival. For this we offer an additional fee of £1000 to cover time and expenses. Past festivals have shown us that audiences and artists get much more out of the experience if the artist is present with their work and able to engage with visitors.

 We expect to commission work across a range of contexts, concepts and costs.

 Proposals for work should include a description of the idea including any details of location, site, people, materials, media you expect to be working with or would like to investigate. Also any installation needs, technical assistance, maintenance and possible health and safety issues if known. Please state clearly the amount you are asking for and include an outline budget.

 b-side recognises that ideas can evolve and change over time. Selected artists will be required to submit a final proposal for work with detailed budget for approval after the initial research & development period.

 Artists may submit up to three ideas at varying costs keeping within the £4000 commission budget maximum. Please submit a separate application for each idea.

 Please note selected artists will be:

• Required to attend the initial residential research days in November 2015 (dates to be confirmed)
• Available for 4 days over the 9 day festival period in September 2016
• Expected to play an active part in audience engagement with their work
• Responsible for transportation, installation/de-installation of their work

 Your application should include:

• An outline proposal of up to 500 words describing your idea and, if applicable, how you might engage with audiences, collaborators or communities of interest during your process and/or final work.
• A very brief summary of your proposal (250 words max).
• An outline budget for the costs of your proposal totaling up to £4000 maximum.
• A summary of your practice including past work and current projects plus CV.
• Images (10 max) and weblinks illustrating your proposal if applicable and/or documenting your current/past work. Please label images as ‘Past work’ or ‘Proposal’ accordingly.

Deadline: Applications to be submitted no later than 5pm Monday 18 May 2015

• All applications will be acknowledged on receipt.
• All shortlisted artists will be notified by 29 June and invited to an interview (via Skype) week beginning 6 July 2015
• We regret it is not possible to notify or give feedback for unsuccessful applications 

Queries

For any queries regarding this opportunity please email producer@b-side.org.uk or directly through Curatorspace

 Background Info for Artists

Please see the b-side website for more information on the b-side ethos, the festival and previous commissions and sites www.b-side.org.uk

Artists are welcome to develop work for any location on Portland. Places that artists have worked with in the past or might want to consider working with for the 2016 festival include:

•  West Weares
• The Portland Museum at Wakeham
• Coastwatch at Portland Bill http://www.nci.org.uk/portlandbill
• Jacksons café – Fortuneswell
• The Esplanade and Quiddles café, Chiswell
• Chiswell Cove (Chesil Beach)
• Chiswell Community Garden http://www.chiswellcommunity.org/
• Victoria Gardens
• The Governors Community Garden (The Grove)
• Fancys Farm www.fancysfarm.co.uk
• The High Angle Battery
• Church Ope Cove and St Andrews Ruin
• St Georges Church http://www.visitchurches.org.uk/Ourchurches/Completelistofchurches/st-georges-church-portland-dorset/

Further info about Portland

http://www.dorsets.co.uk/Portland/

http://www.portlandmuseum.co.uk/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isle_of_Portland

http://www.oldukphotos.com/dorset_portland.htm

http://www.geoffkirby.co.uk/Portland/

http://www.isleofportlandpictures.org.uk/Categories/

http://www.portlandhistory.co.uk/

http://www.theurbanexplorer.co.uk/tag/dorset/

Portland Bird Observatory and Field Centre http://www.portlandbirdobs.blogspot.co.uk/