About
Wysing Arts Centre invites applications for the Escalator Retreat Print and Production
The Print and Production Retreat is an experimental look at publishing as a space for making, presenting and documenting artists' research and working process.
During the retreat, artists and curators will contribute to the first Escalator publication under the theme of 'Production' through workshops that discuss design, editing, printing and distribution. Each retreat participant will be asked to bring material for their own project for the book - and to contribute towards the editing, layout and final presentation of material from participants involved in previous Escalator retreats. Documentation of this group process will also be included.
The project will be led by Unrealised Projects and Publish and Be Damned, and includes sessions with publishers, artists and curators to give feedback on individual's work and discuss approaches to print and online publishing. The retreat is suited to artists and curators for whom publication is an aspect of their practice and are interested in working collectively on production.
To date over 80 artists and curators have attended Escalator retreats at Wysing, with contributors including Charles Avery, Adrian Searle, Alexandre Singh, Laure Provost, Neil Cummings, Pablo Leon de la Barra, Renault Proch, Maria Fusco, Mike Sperlinger and Frances Outred, amongst many others. Here is what some previous Retreat participants had to say about their experience: It was a wonderful and diverse group of people, gathered in an important and vibrant arts centre ... I was truly energized after the retreat, because of being together with like-minded people, supportive of each other and the input of subjects related to the theme and contemporary art ... I think that in art in the UK there is not a space for this type of dialogue and it is very much needed ... All sessions were delivered to a high standard, were well programmed and contextualised, and really made us think.
The retreat Print and Production is open to any visual artist or curator living and working in England. Ten artists and curators will be invited to attend the retreat following a selection process (details below). Five places are reserved for those from the South East and East of England regions. There is no charge for participating in the retreat.
Dates
The retreat will take place from 3-6 October 2011.
The deadline for applications is Monday 12th September 2011, 5pm
How to Apply
There is no form to fill in to apply for the retreat. Instead we ask you to answer the following questions in your application and also to provide us with the information listed below. Please keep emailed applications below 3mb in size and call Wysing's reception to confirm receipt. We are very happy to receive MP3/4 files or CDs/DVDs instead of written applications.
1. Please supply a proposal for a project of 4-6 pages. Contributions may include image or text. (max 300 words)
2. How is this retreat relevant to your practice at this time? (max 200 words)
3. What would you want to get out of the retreat? (max 200 words)
Please also provide:
A statement on your practice (max 400 words)
A current CV
A maximum of six pieces of documentation of your work. This may be six images or other forms of material that best represents your practice (CD, DVD, etc).
Additional information:
If you wish to apply for a bursary (see below) then please include this information.
If you wish to book accommodation then please include this information.
Please also include information on any dietary or access needs.
Selection Procedure
Following submission, retreat participants will be selected by Wysing's Curatorial Team. Selection will be based on proposals received following the Call for Participation and will be based on the information provided as described in How to Apply.
Accommodation
Wysing can provide free accommodation. All rooms are for multiple use and we are not able to offer individual rooms.
Artist Bursaries
A small number of bursaries are available to any applicant in need of financial support to attend the retreats. Those wishing to apply for a bursary are invited to write no more than 250 words on how much financial support they would need to enable them to attend the retreat and what the money would be used for.
Post Retreat Funding
All artists attending the retreat will be invited to propose ideas to develop their findings from it further, either jointly or individually. A limited number of proposals (dependant on numbers submitted and amounts) from each retreat will then be selected and supported to submit applications to Grants for the Arts to realise their ideas.
Further information
The retreats are free to participants. Meals are also provided free of charge. For any specific information please call 01954 718881 or email escalator@wysingartscentre.org
Escalator is the pioneering talent plan from Arts Council England, East and South East that finds, supports and invests in the best artistic talent across all artforms throughout the East and South East of England. Escalator is establishing the East and Soth East of England as the leading UK regions for talent development. Since it launched in 2003, Escalator has helped over 250 artists to develop their work, forge new partnerships and reach new audiences.
