About
Wysing Arts Centre invites applications for the artistic retreat
Art and Writing
In Art and Writing our fifth artistic retreat, we will be exploring the relationship between writing and contemporary art practice. Workshops led by international artists, leading writers and critics will address both creative and critical writing practices and their role in making, discussing and presenting artists' work.
To date over 40 artists and curators have attended Escalator retreats at Wysing, with contributors including Charles Avery, Laure Provost, Neil Cummings, Pablo Lean 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 Art and Writing is open to any visual artist or curator living and working in England. 10 artists and curators will be invited to attend the retreat following a selection process (details below). Five places are reserved for those from the East of England region. There is no charge for participating in the Retreat.
Dates
The retreat will take place from 25-28 October 2010
The deadline for applications is Monday 27 September 2010, 5pm
How to Apply
There is no form to fill in to apply for the retreat. Instead we ask you to answer the following three questions in your application and also to provide us with the information listed below. We are very happy to receive MP3/4 files, CDs or DVDs instead of written applications.
1. How is this retreat relevant to your practice at this time? (max 200 words)
2. What do you think you can bring to the retreat? (max 200 words)
3. What would you want to get out of the retreat? (max 200 words)
Please also provide:
o A statement on your practice (max 400 words)
o A current CV
o A selection of 6 images or other material that represents your practice (CDs, DVDs, etc)
Additional information:
o If you wish to apply for a bursary (see below) then please include this information.
o If you wish to book a bed in our farmhouse (see below) then please include this information.
o Please also include information on any dietary or access needs.
Selection Procedure
Following submission, retreat participants will be selected by the Royal College of Art's MA in Curating students and lecturers, with 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 in our farmhouse. All rooms are for multiple use and we are not able to offer individual rooms. Facilities include shared bathrooms, living room and kitchen.
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 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 that finds, supports and invests in the best artistic talent across all artforms throughout the East of England. Escalator is establishing the East of England as the leading UK region 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.