In:Site Festival 2019
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Call for Applications: In:Site Festival 2019
Birmingham Cathedral Square, Birmingham
7th September 2019
Applications for new graduates are open until 14th July.
There are also opportunities for shadow artists, film makers and volunteers.
In:Site Festival returns: Supporting design graduates
In:Site Festival returns to Birmingham City Centre for a ninth year this September with recent graduates transforming the outdoor space around the cathedral with unusual craft ‘interventions’. In:Site is organised by Birmingham based arts charity Craftspace and takes place in Cathedral Square from the 5th – 7th September. It is free for everyone to watch and take part.
The Cathedral Square is a major city thoroughfare and meeting point with as many as twenty thousand people passing through and spending time in the public space each day. Over five days selected graduates make bespoke artworks in situ responding to the space, architecture, people and heritage. Some are created with the participation and engagement of the passing public.
The festival aims to showcase new graduate talent and develop emerging craft businesses. It provides graduates with a paid early career commission and profile for their CV. Benefits include being able to: enhance skills, test the viability of ideas, respond to a public art brief and a specific site and engage with the public at first hand. It also presents contemporary craft for all to encounter and experience in an unconventional public setting.
“Artists have often listed the benefits of learning project planning, and so for 2019, we are focussing on developing the artists’ professional skills and creating networking opportunities for selected artists. This year’s festival will be open to UK based artists and makers who have graduated from a BA or MA art, craft or design course in 2018 or 2019. Opening up the applications and increasing the range of artists who can apply.” - Katy Sadler, Craftspace.
Past commissions have included casting jewellery from cracks in paving slabs and contemporary lace pieces on trees inspired by tracking people’s movement around the park. With different artists working each day, at the end of the week visitors can expect to see the space adorned with new art works.
The festival is supported by Birmingham Cathedral.
“Graduates have not always had the opportunity through their coursework to consider socially engaged practice or creating public art. Craftspace is often involved in commissioning public art or bespoke work for particular settings. Clients require a level of experience and track record and we are often unable to appoint new graduates for these opportunities. Having something credible on their CV soon after leaving college is definitely a benefit. Working with a well-established organisation like Craftspace means that new graduates can tap into our extensive curatorial expertise and knowledge of the cultural sector as well as our networks and resources. We can often signpost people to further opportunities.” - Deirdre Figueiredo, Director, Craftspace
“Taking part in In:Site has allowed me to build up my portfolio, taught me how to showcase my work in a public art setting and has given me the confidence to consider projects like this in the future as I hadn’t even thought about it before now. It’s been both inspiring and enjoyable.” - Samantha Wilson, previous exhibiting graduate.
Application Deadline
14th July
Venue
Birmingham Cathedral Square, Colmore Row, Birmingham B3 2QB 5th –
Dates
11am-5.30pm, 7th September 2019
Open
Work is on show until Sunday 8
Free and open to all
