SEEDBED 2023 ARTIST CALL-OUT

SEEDBED 2023 ARTIST CALL-OUT
Funded residency scheme @ 101 Outdoor Arts
Deadline for applications: 30th October 2023

Image credit: Ceschi & Lane, Greenham / 2019 SEEDBED @ 101 Outdoor Arts

Seedbed is a funded residency scheme that supports artists to develop work for outdoor and public space contexts. In 2023/24 101 Outdoor Arts – National Centre for Arts in Public Space will be offering support to three artists/artistic companies through its Seedbed supported residency scheme. See some of the Seedbed projects 101 supported in the period 2017 – 2022 here.

Following the publication of our report; Beyond the Unconventional and Into the Mainstream – Arts in Public Space in England, we want to explore further how outdoor arts is forming partnerships with organisations in areas such as heritage, health, environment, regeneration and inclusion and are looking for artists that are working with partners in these and other areas to extend the role of arts in public space.

This year we are seeking to support the research and development of project ideas that

- Are designed for presentation in outdoor and public space contexts
- Are by artists with at least three years of professional practice
- Are in early-stage development (definitely not at rehearsal stage)
- Would benefit from 101’s unique facilities and residential environment
- Have the involvement/support of a non-arts partner organisation in their presentation

What is 101?
Over the past decade 101 has become the principal UK residential centre for outdoor arts creation and production and a national hub for innovation and talent development. Based in a 20,000sq ft warehouse on the former USAF Greenham Common, 101 is part of Corn Exchange Newbury and hosts residencies by professional artists and companies working in outdoor and public space contexts. We also present a year-round programme of outdoor work and run a year-round programme of community engagement and professional development activities, hosting residential workshops, training initiatives and symposia around work in outdoor space. 101’s facilities comprise large and flexible 6m high rehearsal/production spaces; dance type studio; access to outdoor space; metal and woodworking fabrication workshops; media studio; onsite accommodation and living spaces. Led by the experienced creative producer, Simon Chatterton and an on-site team headed up by Danielle Corbishley 101 aims to provide a supportive environment for companies in residence to develop new work.

What does a Seedbed residency offer?
- Maximum of a £5k award to cover time, expenses, materials and specialist support
- Up to 15, with a minimum of five days of residency time at 101 to be taken between Winter 2023 and Winter 2024
- Technical support
- Producing advice
- Facilitated access to sites, communities, participants and specialist knowledge

SEEDBED Residency: Expressions of Interest

Please email us either in writing or by sending a video with the answers to the following questions:

Tell us your company name and contact details/link to previous work

What experience do you have of working in outdoor and public space contexts? (100 words)

What is the project idea that you would like to research? What stage is it at? (150 words)

How do you think that a Seedbed residency might benefit the development of your project idea? (150 words)

What research questions would you want to address in your residency and what do you need to answer these? (150 words)

Do you anticipate any outcome to your residency in terms of sharing its results? (50 words)

What contexts/sites would the project ultimately be developed for? (50 words)

Who would your non-arts partner be? What discussions have you had with them? Can we contact them? (50 words)

Is there anyone we can speak to who can give a reference for your work?

Please submit this to hello@101outdoorarts.com by 30th October 2023

Notes: We are keen to attract applications from individuals who are under-represented in the arts. We anticipate that due to the large number of applications we will not be able to respond to everyone that applies.

FAQ

What facilities can 101 provide?

101’s facilities comprise large and flexible 6m high rehearsal/production spaces; dance type studio; access to outdoor space; metal and woodworking fabrication workshops; media studio; onsite accommodation and living spaces. The Seedbed residency team including 101’s Strategic Lead Simon Chatterton, Associate Producer Bill Gee and and Head of 101 & Outdoor Programmes Danielle Corbishley.

Do I have to include a period of residency time at 101?

Yes - the grant is designed to support a residency at 101. However, by arrangement this can be based around 101 and use other outdoor spaces that we have access to eg. Greenham Common, Greenham Business Park, Newbury Town Centre, Kennet & Avon Canal and others. Residencies can be more than 5 days but are unlikely to be longer than 2-3 weeks. Residency periods can be spread over a longer period of time but we would expect residencies to be completed within nine months of the award. please note the periods Oct- Nov and March- June are our busiest times and if they can be avoided is preferable.

What kind of public space partnership are you looking for?

We welcome partnerships with organisations small and large in these and other areas – it might be an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty or it might be your local nature reserve. It could be a local authority or a housing association, a local preservation society or a town centre Business Improvement District.

Do I have to have a public outcome?

Seedbed is not a commissioning scheme and we have no expectations that the awards will result in a finished piece of work, however we expect awardees to document their process and to be able to share in some form the results of their residency

Do I require financial match/partnership?

There is no expectation of match funding however we recognise the value that partnership financial or in-kind can bring to a project

Do I have to provide a project budget?

At this stage we do not require a breakdown of spend but would like to understand in general terms how the award would be used?

Future Opportunities

We anticipate a version of Seedbed will run in 2024/25, but will change depending upon the experience of the three selected projects in 2023/24