Decouvrir/Discover – a call from the Continent

Claremont Studios, a community interest company supporting artistic creativity, enterprise and learning, is looking for artists who would like to go to France and participate in an arts exhibition project during 2012/13.

The artists will mingle with visitors and staff at small museums and heritage sites in England and Pas-de-Calais to find out why they come and in what way their cultural appreciation of the visit is influenced by regional heritage.  This should result in new work inspired by the interaction between artist and audience.

Residency and Exhibition Dates
2 UK and 2 French artists will be selected. During late July-September 2012 they will each spend fifteen non consecutive days in both regions to develop their work. The artists’ projects will be presented in a joint exhibition 10 November-8 December 2012 at Espace 36 in St Omer and 16 March-5 May 2013 at Claremont Studios’  project space. A twenty page bilingual catalogue will be produced and Decouvrir/Discover will be promoted on both sides of the Channel through invitations, posters, email, social networks & websites.

Eligibility
The sponsors are particularly interested in proposals from practitioners who can demonstrate risk-taking work, innovation in public engagement and a commitment to working in a cross-border context. Artists must live and/or work in East Sussex, Brighton & Hove or Kent (excluding London Boroughs). Claremont Studios welcome proposals from both early and mid-career artists.

The selected artists should have a valid passport and a working knowledge of the French language to facilitate their research. The artists are expected to have a full driving licence and the use of a vehicle during the residency. Public liability insurance of £5 million is also required.

Artist fees
A fee of €4,000 to include €1,500 materials budget and €1,000 for cross-channel travel and accommodation (UK side) will be paid in 2 stages. The artists’ expenses in France will be met by Espace 36. The fee in £s sterling is dependent on exchange rates.

Proposal Submissions
1 – A 1 page (A4) statement outlining why you are interested in this cross-border residency/exhibition project, how your current practice will address the issues of Decouvrir/Discover with a preliminary idea for the direction of your research and final project.
2 – CV
3 – website and/or other links to your work
4 – dvds of artists’ moving image are limited to 2 and should be sent to the postal address below.
5 – A maximum of 8 images of recent work (lo-res jpegs)
6 – Contact details

DVDs should be marked Decouvrir/Discover and sent to:
Christine Gist, 73 Hughenden Road, Hastings, East Sussex TN34 3TF

Deadline for receipt of proposals: Friday 6 July 2012 at 17.00

Artists’ selection:  Shortlisted candidates will be contacted by email/phone. Interviews will be held in Hastings on Monday 16 July 2012.

Residency Start Dates:   The selected artists will be expected to commence the residency in both regions immediately.

Proposal Submissions and further information:                             info@claremontstudios.org and
c.gist@btinternet.com
0788 144 1120

www.claremontstudios.org                                                                   http://espace36.free.fr

Decouvrir/Discover is supported by Interreg IVA France (Channel) – England programme

Also in: Visual Arts