Forming Ideas: Arts Council England Curatorial Development Programme - Trip to Brazil

25 February – 10 March 2010 -, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro

Dates are subject to confirmation but will be around this time

Arts Council England is funding a programme of international visits and events over the coming two years called Forming Ideas. The aim of the programme is to broaden and strengthen the debate and presentation of craft in the UK. It also aims to establish sustainable networks with colleagues overseas and to provide opportunities for co-commissioning and collaboration across boundaries. This is the final visit in the current Forming Ideas programme and will take a group of around nine curators to Brazil. Previous visits have been to Cairo and all five Nordic countries. Please note that the programme is open to curators living and working in England.

The Itinerary:

This final visit in this Forming Ideas programme will look at the cross over practice between craft, contemporary art and design. The group will make visits to museums, galleries, workshops and studios of contemporary artists, designers and makers, although some we visit might not fit snuggly into any category. Brazil being a very large country the aim is to visit three centres, São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro and one other region possibly Pernambuco or Minas Gerais.

Initially we will travel to São Paulo to attend the Paralela Gift fair 26 February – 1 March 2010. Paralela is a mix between Origin and 100%Design. Whilst in Sao Paulo we will preview Pavilhão das Culturas Brasilerias at Parque do Ibirapuera (Oscar Niemeyer pavilion complex and home to the São Paulo Biennale) – a new museum to be opened in 2011 and curated by Adelia Borges. Adelia will meet with the group and explain the concept behind the museum which she hopes will provoke dialogue around urban design, folk art, contemporary craft and popular art. We will visit other museums such as Museo de Arte Contemporaneo, (MAC) www.mac.usp.br, São Paulo Museum of Art (MASP) and Pinacoteca along with smaller galleries. Visits to studios of artists such Luiz Hermano www.luizhermano.com and the Campana Brothers www.campanas.com.br, and Favela da Linha where sculptor Elisa Bracher works with women and children at her studio.

It is hoped a seminar can be organized whilst we are in São Paulo to which individuals involved in cultural economic regeneration projects will be invited.

From Sao Paulo we will travel to Rio de Janeiro again visiting leading cultural centers, artists, makers and designers, Our itinerary will include a visit to Rockingham, located on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro and better known as Brazil's largest, most dangerous slum. However thanks to one woman Maria Teresa known as "Tetê" Leal things are changing. Coopa Roca, the social enterprise she founded, is a women's cooperative dedicated to reviving traditional Brazilian craft techniques such as drawstring appliqué, crochet, knot work and patchwork. Coopa Roca provides good-paying, work-at-home opportunities for women in Rocinha, and their designs have made the transition from handcrafts to high fashion. As well as fashion the cooperative work with architects, designers and artists such as Ernesto Neto. www.coopa-roca.org.br

Before returning to the UK the group will travel to one other region of Brazil possibly Pernambuco in the North East or the state of Minas Gerais both regions are renowned for their cultural wealth and distinct crafts.

Obligations:

On return to the UK the group will be asked to organise and event or events with the aim of continuing the debate around the models of practice they witnessed and the issues they uncovered during their visit. It is expected that invited speakers will include some of the individuals the group met during their travels. The group will be expected to share these discussions and their new knowledge with the wider crafts sector. Administrative support to help with the event planning will be provided by ArtProjects and Solutions. A dynamic website www.formingideas.co.uk has been built as part of the programme to encourage curators of craft to exchange knowledge, ideas and information. Curators of each group will be expected to use the website as a tool in the preparation of the events and dissemination of information.

Successful applicants will be expected to contribute to the evaluation of the programme by completing a feedback questionnaire and generating a short reflective b/log for www.formingideas.org.uk. All references to personal log content and other comment will be anonymous if included in the evaluation report. Due to the high cost of the visit we will be asking of £600 from those applying who are salaried, and £400 from freelancers Costs included are international flights, accommodation, and all internal transportation in Brazil including flights, trains and coach hire. Individuals will be required to cover their own subsistence costs. The visits will be planned and delivered by ArtProjects and Solutions in association with in country partners.

Application Process:

If you wish to apply for a place please:

Outline your reasons for wishing to travel to Brazil your curatorial interests, willingness to share knowledge with your peers and ability to work collaboratively on the outcome conference.

Please limit your text to a maximum of 1000 words.

Provide a current CV.

Please supply all documents in word format.

Clearly mark your application Brazil Visit and include your name, address and if applicable

the organisation you work for.

Deadline for applications: 12 noon 18 December 2009 Selection by: 5 January 2010 Successful applicants will be notified by 8 January 2010