We are looking for Dumfries & Galloway based artists to create two new outdoor performances in the region.
Since 2020, Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival has been developing its outdoor arts programme, reaching audiences in various locations across the region. We have access to various locations where we can present performances in small towns, parks, monuments, heritage sites and beaches to audiences in some of Scotland’s most remote areas. We want to support local artists to make work that can be presented in different locations across the region, including static, walkabout, physical/visual theatre and spectacle work.
We are partnering with Articulation, who is an advocate for the development of circus, outdoor arts and physical performance sector in Scotland, to provide two artists with an opportunity to create a new outdoor performance.
The commissioned artists will receive:
- A commission of £1,500 + £100 towards props
- A workshop from Articulation on the creation and presentation of rural outdoor performance
- 1-2-1 mentorship with an experienced outdoor artist
The commissioned artists will have from August 2022 to make a 5-10 minute performance that will be shared at the one-day Arts Live Symposium on 24th November 2022 to local artists and venues at Easterbrook Hall.
We welcome proposals from artists at any stage of their career who are interested in creating an outdoor performance that can tour in future. This commission could be for a small, intimate performance, or the start of something much bigger. We welcome any creative proposals.
On completion of the commission presentations in November, the aim is to work with the artists to provide further opportunities to tour the performance in locations across the region.
As part of our year-round Arts Live programme, the Invitation to Artists Commissioning strand provides opportunities for local artists to make new performances that can be presented across the region. For more information on Arts Live, please visit: https://dgartsfestival.org.uk/arts-live/
HOW TO APPLY:
To apply, please email info@dgartsfestival.org.uk by Monday 22nd August, 9am with the following information:
- A proposal of what you would like to create and present
- A budget outline of how you propose to spend your £1,500 commission
- An up to date CV
- Artist biography (including the biographies of other artists you intend to work with)
- We request you fill in a voluntary Equality, Diversity & Inclusion form: https://forms.gle/MZK33p3VLqP38Md18
We welcome proposals in alternative formats such as BSL, Braille, sound or video recording or transcribed by phone. We have a budget for removing barriers you might face to submit a proposal. Please contact us if you would like to discuss this in more detail or submit your application by phone.
As a rural organisation working in an urban-centric performance sector, we recognise the urgent need to centre the work of marginalised artists as an essential act for achieving equality in society. Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival is especially welcoming of applicants who face marginalisation, including D/deaf and/or disabled people, LGBTQIA+ people, women, people of colour, working-class, and people from any related background or identity. If you feel you are often excluded from performance opportunities, we would like to hear from you and support you.
If you would like to discuss your proposal before your submit, please contact us and someone from our team will get back to you either by email or to arrange a meeting: info@dgartsfestival.org.uk.
SELECTION PROCESS:
All proposals received are entered into our admin system and circulated to a panel, comprising of D&G Arts Festival staff, Articulation and a freelance artist. They will read the proposals before attending a panel meeting to discuss and make selections.
During the panel meeting, we will assess each application using the following criteria:
- The artistic quality of the proposal
- Is the budget realistic to deliver the proposal
- The benefit this opportunity will provide to the successful applicants practice
We conduct our selections through a fair and open access application process that is in line with our equal opportunities policy. No decisions will be made before the application deadline.
IMPORTANT DATES, LINKS AND INFORMATION:
Deadline: Monday 22nd August 2022, 9am
Selection Meeting: w/c 22nd August 2022
Decision Date: Friday 26th August 2022
Enquiries Contact: info@dgartsfestival.org.uk