OPEN CALL
We invite artists and creative practitioners to apply to be part of our artist-in-residency programme this October, to mark Black History Month 2024, where the artist will facilitate artistic responses to our speculative archive project.
The artist will benefit from the use of a project space, which has hosted community workshops ranging from poetry, basket weaving and zine making as well as other artists-in-residence.
WHAT IS THE SPECULATIVE ARCHIVE?
The archive project intends to utilise memory as an organic conduit for archival remembrances and speculative contemplations, drawing upon non-traditional methodologies, indigenous practices of storytelling.
We hope that the collation of stories will create a body of work that utilises experimental formats of archival and artistic outcomes whilst also being rooted in feminist and anti-colonial epistemologies. The intention to unearth the rhizomatic connective tissues between past, present and future.
This speculative archive is made up of a series of cumulative creative contributions throughout 2024 from a network of artists and local community groups working in collaboration towards project, with the aim to reimagine a digital archive that rejects traditional forms and structure to better resist colonial and hierarchical archival frameworks by adopting care-centred methodologies of practice as intentional and restorative resources implemented throughout the archive.
The project is led by artist and programme facilitator, Sandra Falase, part of a year-long engagement programme at Alice Billing House, supported by the Creative Land Trust and Heritage Lottery Fund.
WHAT DOES THE RESIDENCY INVOLVE?
Artistic responses to the speculative archival project brief
10 day residency spread across 2 weeks
Minimum of 4 days onsite each week using the project space (these dates can be agreed in advance)
Artist Fee + Materials £900 + £100 materials
The artist leads 1 x key participatory group activity or workshop over the course of the residency
3 x creative outputs to contribute to the speculative archive (photo/audio/video)
Collaboration with current artists/studio holders is encouraged
WHAT IS THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE ARTIST?
Paid opportunity
The offer of studio space for 10 days during the residency
Access to the creative community
Support from Programme Facilitator and Alice Billing House Project Manager
Opportunity to respond to and create new work as part of our speculative archival project
Funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and working with the Creative Land Trust
A 1-2-1 creative lab with the founder of Grow Hackney
HOW TO APPLY
Email over a CV, cover letter and completed optional equal opportunities form to alicebillinghouse@growstudios.co.uk
Within your cover letter, please answer the 2 x application questions (below) + attach up to 6 images or pages that illustrate examples of your creative practice
The CV and cover letter should not be more than 2 pages. You application can be submitted as a video/audio, but please do include examples of your work
APPLICATION QUESTIONS:
How will your artistic practice benefit from this residency? (100-200 words)
Tell us about your practice; how your work can fit into our socially engaged programme and how your work relates to Newham (200 words)
WHO CAN APPLY?
Although open to all to apply, in conjunction with Black History Month we encourage applications from black artists
Based in London, Newham based is desirable
Aged 18 or over
Grow Studios is an equal opportunities employer, committed to building a diverse workforce and welcomes applications from all individuals
KEY DATES
Deadline: 5pm, 13th September 2024
Interviews: Mid september (dates/times TBC)
Residency communes in October (part of Black History Month)
FAQs
What is Alice Billings House?
Grow Studios is working with the Creative Land Trust (CLT) and LB Newham to provide studio space at Alice Billing House in Stratford.
Alice Billing House is one of Newham’s most historic buildings located on Stratford’s historic High Street. The studios are made up of two blocks, one of which is a Grade II listed building, built in 1905-6 as firefighter’s accommodation for the West Ham Fire Brigade. The South block opened in January 2024 and is now creative home to over 12 artists. The Creative Land Trust are currently fundraising to be able to convert the 2nd block into more studio space.
The buildings make a perfect space to repurpose into studios for artists to make their creative home. In addition to the studios, activities and events for the local community will be hosted in the project space as well as part of project ‘Archive’.
What do you mean by responding to a speculative archive?
The artist in residence will use their artistic practice to create work that will contribute to the archive project, more information will be provided in a project brief and any further questions can be answered in the interview and throughout the residency in the form of weekly check-ins .
Is there a minimum number of days the artist is expected to use the project space?
4 days each week to be spent on site in Stratford and pre agreed in advance
What is the interview process like?
Based on applications submissions, 2-3 applicants will be invited to an approximately 45 min chat at Alice Billing House to discuss their experience and ideas in more detail.
Is the studios and project space accessible?
Yes, the project space is located on the ground floor, where there is also an accessible toilet.
How will the Payment work?
50% of payments once on site with workshop activity completed and final 50% paid on receipt of assets for speculative archive and/or by the end of the residency. A contract for supply of services will be agreed in advance before commencement of the residency.