Over the summer of 2019, Artwalk will be co-producing Index: A fringe festival during Yorkshire Sculpture International. As part of the festival, which takes place across Leeds and Wakefield, we are commissioning a number of artistic interventions, performances and events to happen across Wakefield city centre during two extended Artwalks: 31 July – 04 August and 25 September – 29 September.

The commission opportunities:

• 2 Large commissions – Combined Artist fee and a materials budget of £1250
• 6 Micro commissions – Combined Artist fee and a materials budget of £400

Index Festival and the Wakefield commissions are being supported through funding from Wakefield Council and Arts Council England. There are a number of outcomes we’d like our commissions to achieve

• To engage and delight the public
• To engage people who don’t think art is ‘for them’
• To support emerging artists
• To celebrate Wakefield’s history and culture
• To celebrate and support diversity
• To encourage Wakefield residents to feel proud of their city    

Successful commissions could be complete projects or precursors for larger or future projects. Your proposal can reference a specific venue or be an outdoor activity. It can last for a few hours or could be installed for 4 months. We are open to all proposals.

We welcome applications from early to mid-career artists, makers and creatives working in any medium. We are also interested in works and projects which respond to the local context of Wakefield, and are particularly keen to support artists and groups working in and/or exploring the medium of sculpture.

If your proposal is successful you will have support from Artwalk producers and volunteers with logistics and setup/install. Please include details of the support you anticipate requiring in your proposal.  

You will also receive:

• Support with your artist’s statement and other practical aspects of your professional development
• A public showing of your work or project at either the July or September Artwalk
• Professional photography of your work

How to apply:

Please include the following information in your submission:

• A written proposal for the work you would like to make and the thinking behind it (400 words max)
• A brief outline of how you would spend the budget and any access requirements or specialist support you need
• How you hope this opportunity will help you to develop your practice

We are happy to accept applications in other formats to meet differing access needs. If you have any questions or comments on the application process or how your access requirements can be met, please feel free to contact wakefield@indexfestival.org or call us on 01924 312000.

Timescale:

Deadline: Sunday 14th April

Selected artists notified: Week commencing 22nd April

A bit of background

Artwalk:

For eleven years, venues across Wakefield have been entertaining audiences with free events across the city. A bi-monthly event, Artwalk features exhibitions, live music, performances, poetry, and so much more. Artwalk is produced by The Art House, programmed by WE ARE and showcases a wide range of artists and venues across the city, with a well-established and varied audience.

As a multi-venue event, we have an exciting variety of spaces including galleries, offices, bars and chapels. Regular venues include The Art House, The Hepworth Wakefield, Neon Workshops, Wakefield Cathedral, Westgate Chapel, Westgate Studios, Jordans Solicitors, Now Serving, Jolly Tap and many more.

www.artwalk.org.uk

Index Festival:

Index Festival will deliver a programme of high quality and accessible exhibitions, performances, workshops, installations, tours, talks, and screenings for the public.

Designed to complement the first Yorkshire Sculpture International programme, the festival will introduce residents and visitors alike to the breadth and depth of visual arts activity available in Leeds and Wakefield. The festival is programmed by two teams, one specialising in each city. 

Yorkshire Sculpture International:

Yorkshire Sculpture International is organised by four world-renowned cultural institutions – the Henry Moore Institute, Leeds Art Gallery, The Hepworth Wakefield and Yorkshire Sculpture Park – and will include major new outdoor commissions across both cities.

www.yorkshire-sculpture.org