Open call to artists - 4 Squares Weekender 2015
An open call to both artists and artistic companies who are based in Birmingham and the West Midlands!
read more...Call for entries: Arts festival performances, arts activities and installations.
Deadline for submissions: Thursday 14th May 2015.
Performance dates: 25th to 27th September 2015.
THE BRIEF:
Artistic Opportunities;
We are seeking expressions of interest in artistic work across all art forms which has a total creation and presenting project cost from between £500-£4000. The work will be included in the Festival programme.
What we are looking for:
High quality, engaging, outdoor based work that can appeal to a broad audience. Work will be based mainly in and around the Bull ring and Victoria Square and Centenary Square. There are some particular areas of interest.
DEVELOPING WORK FOR THE OUTDOORS;
We are particularly interested in work for families and children.
PARTICIPATIVE ACTIVITIES;
Activities that give adults and children an opportunity to express themselves creatively.
PARTNERING / CO-PRODUCED EVENTS (COLLABORATION WITH OTHER ARTS ORGANISATIONS);
We are interested in receiving applications from organisations who might not usually work together and would like to explore the possibility of presenting something new and interesting in partnership.
ROAMING PERFORMANCE;
Performances that engage audiences on a low-level participative basis.
RETAIL COLLABORATIONS;
One of the main partners and funders of the festival is Retail Birmingham. Work with or in a shopping context are welcomed.
Who can apply?
Independent companies (none ACE national portfolio organisations) and individual artists are encouraged to apply for this fund. You will work with the festival creative and producing team to assist with the development and placing of your work in the context of the festival programme. You must be able to present the work on the festival weekend. Partnerships or support from Birmingham Arts Partnership members is welcome. Artists may submit more than one proposal. Funding will be paid 75% at the point of contract and 25% on the successful delivery of the event.
SELECTION PROCESS:
The process is as follows:
14th May - Deadline for proposals.
W/c 18th May - Shortlisting panel convenes, dialogue with potential artists and initial decision making.
W/c 26th May - Confirmation of successful projects.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
4 Squares Weekender 2015 (working title) is a cross- arts form Festival of high-quality, free performance, music, visual arts and participative events. Building on the success of the 2013 event, this year's festival celebrates the re-opening of a transformed New Street Station / Grand Central and adjacent city centre. The Festival seeks to bring âgreat art for everyone and has been designed to have a broad appeal to the city's diverse population and international visitors. In particular it offers young people and families the opportunity to enjoy two great cultural days out and enhances Birmingham's growing reputation as a leading destination for culture.
The Festival includes a wide range of work from large scale performance such as Birmingham Hippodrome presenting Compagnie Transe Expresse 'Maudits Sonnants' to dance you 'happen' across in shop windows. There's opportunities to listen to music with Town Hall Symphony Hall's Outdoor Musical Picnic, watch Vanley Burke and Gambian dancers brought to Birmingham by the IKON Gallery or get involved in sketching the festival with Urban Sketchers. There will also be independent food stalls.
Events will be presented during the days and into the evenings in Birmingham's main civic squares and shopping spaces. These include: Centenary Square, Rotunda Square and Victoria Square, Bullring, Mailbox and retail shops along New Street and in the shopping centre. The event will take place on the weekend of 25-27th September 2015. Almost all events will be free of charge.
A short video of the 2013 festival can be found here: http://vimeo.com/74115780.
The event saw attendances of over 95,000, significant media coverage and positive feedback from audiences and partners. Now granted signature festival status from Birmingham City Council, the event is planned to take place biennially.
The festival is an initiative of the Birmingham Arts Partnership who have appointed an artistic team - Creative Director, Roxana Silbert (Birmingham REP) and Associate Directors Corey Baker (Choreographer), Tim Hodgson (Theatre Maker and Festival Director) and Ola Animashawun (Producer and Theatre Director). It's being coordinated by the Birmingham Hippodrome.
Artistic Contact:
Ola Animashawun; Freelance Producer & Theatre Director
ola@euphoricink.co.uk or 07814 123 816
Producing Contact:
Caroline Davis; Birmingham Hippodrome,
carolinedavis@birminghamhippodrome.com or 0121 689 3044