York Open Studios Call for Bursary Artists 2025

Deadline: 23/08/2024

City: York  |  Region: North Yorkshire  |  Country: United Kingdom  |  York Open Studios

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York Open Studios is York's largest arts festival. We are inviting applications for our 2025 bursary. The event takes place on 5-6 and 12-13 April 2025.

York Open Studios is a selected event taking place in artists' own studios, workshops and homes all across York. 

Every year we showcase over a hundred of York's 2D and 3D artists who make original art.  Our visitors love YOS because it is more than an exhibition or a craft fair - it gives them an opportunity to buy original work, meet the artists and find out more about how and where the work is made.

York Open Studios is run by a committee of volunteers - a mixture of YOS artists and non-artists who are passionate about the event.

In addition to our Open Studios,  we are committed to supporting artists who create traditionally non-saleable work such as performance, digital, conceptual or installation to create a body of work to be shown during the event. 

We are offering a bursary of £500 to selected artists who fit the criteria.  To apply, you must live or have a permanent studio within a ten-mile radius of York City centre.  We welcome applications from artists at all stages in their careers. 
 
To submit:

Please read the FAQs before completing the application form.
 
If you would like a clear print copy of this description, the FAQs and the application form questions, click here for a PDF version.
 
We require five good quality JPG images of the type of work you expect to show in April.  At least three of these must be individual works but two may be detail or close-up shots.

Your images must be high quality and show your work clearly.  They will be used by our panel during selection, and then if you are successful they will be used on our website, marketing materials and social media. 

We do not expect professional photos but they should be polished, print-ready and taken with a professional outlook.  We reserve the right to crop or otherwise edit your images.
 
You must also provide a proposal explaining how you will use the £500 to create a body of work, and how that work will be presented. 

Please explain your concepts, motivation, inspiration and materials used.  You might also mention special techniques.  Please do not make your statement too short, the aim is to make sure the panel understands you and your work.
 
Payment:

Artists will be paid the bursary in two instalments of £250, once prior to the event and once after the event is finished.

Make a submission Contact the curator
Who is eligible for this opportunity?
Artists and craftspeople who create original 2D and 3D work, that is not traditionally saleable, and who live or have a permanent studio within ten miles of York city centre at the time of the Open Studios weekends.

The bursary is intended to support an artist who creates digital, film, performance or installation to create a body of work to be shown primarily during our open weekends.
When is the deadline?
11.59pm, 23 August 2024.
Where can I exhibit?
Bursary artists may use their own space or they may borrow or hire venues as appropriate for their proposed work. The venue must be within ten miles of York city centre.
What are the exhibition opening hours?
Friday 5 April 6-9 pm (optional preview evening)
Saturday 6 April 10 am-5 pm
Sunday 7 April 10 am-5 pm
Saturday 12 April 10 am-5 pm
Sunday 13 April 10 am-5 pm
Is there a private view/opening?
Artists can choose to have a public preview on the evening of Friday 5 April which will be published in the directory and on the website. Artists can also choose to have a private preview on this evening but this will not be published.
Do I need to be present?
Yes, you must be present at your venue at all published times on both weekends.
How much does it cost?
There is no application fee for bursary artists.
How do you decide on applications/proposals?
A panel of committee members will select our bursary artists.
What are the selection criteria?
The work submitted should be original, consistent and show a clear 'artist's voice'. The panel will use their knowledge and experience to arrive at a decision and consider qualities such as concepts and originality. The panel will look for work showing artistic commitment and a professional outlook. Decisions will be based purely on the quality of the applications submitted, so make sure your images are high quality and show your past work clearly. You are asked for a proposal for your work and you must make sure that the panel understands what you intend to produce, and how an audience will engage with it. Write about your concepts, materials/ inspiration, techniques, scale and presentation.

Artists who submit poor quality images or descriptions that are too brief are unlikely to be selected.

The decision of the selection panel is final and we are unable to give feedback to individuals on their applications.
How many images do I need to submit?
You must submit five good quality JPG images of the type of work you expect to show in April. At least three of these must be individual works but two may be detail or close-up shots.

Your images must be high quality and show your work clearly. They will be used by our panel during selection and then if you are successful they will be used on our website, marketing materials and social media. We do not expect professional photos but they should be polished, print-ready and taken with a professional outlook. We reserve the right to crop your images.
What happens if my application/proposal is accepted?
You will receive a congratulatory email and a further form to fill in to ask additional questions for your directory entry and confirm that you agree to our terms and conditions. The deadline for the provision of further details is 19 October 2024.
How will the bursary be paid?
The bursary will be paid in two instalments of £250, once prior to the event and once after the event is complete.
What publicity will be provided as part of the opportunity?
Each artist will have a dedicated page on our website and will be showcased across our social media channels. A printed directory with images, venue address and contact details will be produced including a handy map showing all venues. We employ a PR agency who provide press coverage and place adverts in local and national publications.
Where will my venue be listed?
Each artist will have a listing in our printed directory, their venue indicated on the map, and a dedicated page on our website. We also highlight each artist on social media.
Will I need to attend any meetings?
Yes, you are expected to attend a meeting on Saturday 12 October 2024 where the YOS committee members will introduce themselves, welcome new artists, and give you important information about the event. There will also be an optional meeting/social prior to the event where new artists and people who have exhibited before can get together to share useful hints and tips on how to get the most out of York Open Studios.
How is York Open Studios run?
York Open Studios is run by a committee of volunteers - a mixture of YOS artists and non-artists who are passionate about the event.

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