Artist needed
Making a Scene is looking for a dynamic artist-in-residence who will work with Batley Festival volunteers, local businesses and the community to animate the town centre in the lead up to this year’s festival at the end of September 2014.
Background and context
Making a Scene is part of Creative People and Places; a fund initiated by Arts Council England to focus investment on parts of the UK where people’s involvement in the arts is significantly below the national average. A small number of locations throughout England have successfully bid to be part of this programme and North Kirklees is one of them. The project was secured by a consortium of organisations including The Lawrence Batley Theatre, Kirklees Council and Batley Festival. Funding for Making a Scene is secured for three years although this is linked to a longer term vision that creates a permanent change in the way the arts contribute to the quality of life for people in North Kirklees.
Batley Festival is an annual event which seeks to support the cultural life of the town of Batley and to rejoice in the vibrancy, diversity and talents of its people and community. The festival has been a collaboration between a group of hard working volunteers and Kirklees Council for the past 2 years.
Skills and experience needed
Successful applicants should have:
• A proven track record of working collaboratively in community settings.
• Experience of working with culturally diverse communities.
• Knowledge of participatory arts practice and strategies for engagement.
• The ability to inspire and encourage participants throughout the process.
• A passion for creating high quality arts experiences.
• A positive outlook on problem solving.
• A valid CRB/DBS check and their own public liability insurance.
• Creativity to use the “distinctiveness of the locality” to inspire a piece of art/performance/installation
• Comfort in communicating with the public and drawing in audience/participants.
Description of residency
The successful applicant will work intensively during the month of September to engage with the public in the run-up to this year’s festival on Saturday 27 September. This will include working from a space within Batley town centre that is open and accessible to the public (empty shop, local business, etc). During this time the artist will be expected to:
• Collaborate with key stakeholders including the Making a Scene delivery team and Batley Festival volunteers in order to design a suitable intervention, target audiences and design a creative marketing approach to engage people prior to the residency.
• Work from a public space in a way which allows the public to engage with the artwork in progress and contribute in a meaningful way.
• Hold at least 4 day-time drop in sessions per week in from the public space in Batley town centre for people of various ages.
• Create a piece of art/performance/installation which will be presented at this year’s festival and help to draw attention to the festival from outlying areas in the town centre.
Aims of the residency
This will be the third Batley Festival to happen in Batley town centre and with this, the committee are keen to encourage greater engagement both in the run-up to the festival and on the day itself. Making a Scene are also keen to help make the festival more visible in other areas of the town centre (such as animating routes from transport links to the festival itself or engaging with audiences on the periphery of the festival site). At the same time, the residency will aim to increase awareness of the festival through participation in arts activities as well as the creation of a visible ‘artwork’ to be presented on the day of the festival.
Fee
£2500 including materials. A detailed budget and payment schedule will be negotiated with the creative producer.
Period of contract/project work
Project planning and liaising with the producers and festival committee will happen in August 2014 with the view of formal delivery happening from 1 September until the festival opening on the 27 September 2014. Additional time in the beginning of October will also be needed in order to collect relevant feedback and evaluation.
All applicants should send:
• A current CV
• A statement of interest (no longer than 1 side of A4). This should set out your initial approach and potential ideas.
• A maximum of 6 pieces of supporting media (photos, website links, video)
Deadline for applications Wed 16 Jul
Interviews to be held on Mon 21 Jul
Please forward all completed applications via email or post to:
Rebecca Legg, Creative Producer
[email protected]
Making a Scene,
c/o The Lawrence Batley Theatre
Queen Street
Huddersfield
HD1 2SP