Newcastle Artist Residency – Newcastle Common 2 months
Once we have the keys to our shop, we want an artist, writer, or maker working in the space!
The Brief
You’ll be joining us as we move in, start decorating, and install our empty shop kit. As we do this, we’d like you to tell the story of what we’re doing in our windows, and sometimes have the door open so passers by can drop in.
You’ll collect stories and record conversations you have with people who pass by or drop in, and you might invite people into the space, too. You might run participatory activities that are part of your practice in the space, you might not. You’ll talk to shopkeepers in neighbouring shops. You’ll help us get a picture of who uses the streets around our shop, and why.
Most importantly, this will be your work space so you’ll use the experience to make new work, which could be in any shape or form, and share the new work at the end of your time in the shop. As you make new work, you’ll share the experience of being in the shop, working there, and meeting people on social media – or give it to us to share on our social media.
We want an artist that can work in the shop for at least twelve sessions each month (morning, afternoon, or evening) because we want people to see the shop being used. You don’t have to engage with the public during every session.
You’ll have a residency space in the shop, with desk and secure storage (it may move at first, as we redecorate and install!), and you’ll be able to use our window spaces. You’ll have your own keys, and be responsible for opening and closing the shop when you work.
Other projects will run from the shop, so you’ll make sure the shop is safe for other people using the space and for visitors, and that includes making it Covid 19 safe. You may be lone-working at some times, and if you are we’ll manage that process for your safety. You’ll plan ahead, so we can tell people what’s happening on social media.
Our Newcastle Common Lead Artist Dan Thompson is experienced in working in empty shops, and he’ll act as your mentor and catch up on Zoom (or in person, Covid 19 permitting) fortnightly. He’ll use your experience to help create our ongoing shop programme, and to shape future residency opportunities.
You’ll prepare a digital record of your work for our empty shop project archive. You’ll own whatever work you make, and we’ll have the rights to use images or recordings of it for four years and for a document of it to remain in our archives.
We’re open to this being research and development for a future project you’re planning, and will offer you some mentoring and support if you want to develop a funding bid after the residency.
Submission
We want to make it really easy for you to make a submission. We want you to say in no more than one side of A4 what you’d like to do. Tell us about a couple of things you’ve done before, and a few sentences about you.
We have budgeted for you for the residency to take place over four weeks and for approx. 2 days per week.
If you have any questions about the residency contact Dan: artistsmakers@googlemail.com
Send your submission to: askus@appetitestoke.co.uk (marked Newcastle Common Residency 2)
Key Dates
Submissions by 22 January 2021, by noon
Zoom interviews 28-29 January 2021
Appointment 5 February 2021
Final work presented 9 April 2021
Wrap up Zoom 16 April 2021
Fee
Artist Fee: £3,200 (70% on commencement, 30% on completion)
Production budget: £600, to cover materials, travel, etc
Image courtesy of Jenny Harper
