Call Out for Steering Group Members
Paid Opportunity
A unique opportunity has arisen for artists and freelancers and producers to take part and shape Bradford’s first dedicated visual arts festival, which will take place in 2025.
South Square Centre, Bradford Producing Hub and Bradford 2025 have come together to develop and coordinate a dedicated visual arts programme that will connect grassroots organisations, independent galleries, artists and freelancers to celebrate the sector, supporting its development over the next 12 months (and beyond) and commission new artworks & events to be showcased at the festival in Autumn 2025.
The festival will be in the context of Bradford City of Culture celebrations and will play a role in amplifying the voices of the visual arts sector, widening impact and advocating for greater investment and infrastructure over the coming years.
We’ll take inspiration from major visual art biennials and artist-led fringe programmes such as; Index Festival (Yorkshire Sculpture International), About Time (British Art Show 8), and Glasgow International.
We are looking for a small group of creatives to work together, alongside experienced curators, to develop a vision for a visual arts festival, initially through a series of steering group meetings.
What’s involved?
- Input into the design & content of the visual arts festival, its core aims and ideas.
- You’ll have the opportunity to meet arts leaders from across the country, to hear their experience of creating similar events with nationwide and sector-wide appeal.
- You’ll have the opportunity to design commission opportunities and be on the selection panel for open calls.
- Feed into the branding and design of the programme.
You should be based in, or working in the Bradford district.
Is this opportunity for you? You might be one or more of these things:
- An artist, producer or freelancer or work for an arts organisation working in the field of visual arts and based in Bradford.
- Passionate about improving the visual arts sector and infrastructure.
- A good connector with networks across the visual arts sector.
- A big thinker, comfortable with ambitious ideas and long-term thinking.
- A creative person, willing to contribute ideas as part of a group.
- Able to represent and advocate for people with lived experience and intersectional identities.
Availability & Time Commitment
During the first phase of the project, there will be 6 initial meetings across Aug-Oct 2024. You will be required to attend and input to at least 4 of these meetings. Some sessions will be held online and some in person.
There may also be opportunities to visit national art exhibitions with the steering group, with expenses paid for by the project.
We hope to continue working with the steering group through Autumn 2024 – September 2025 in a consultatory role as the project progresses, currently subject to funding.
Participants will be compensated for their time at an initial rate of £50 per meeting.
How to Apply
Please complete the application form to apply to be a member of the steering group.
Applications are open until midnight Wednesday 31st July 2024.
Please tell us:
- Why do you want to be on the Visual Arts Festival Steering Group?
- What do you think you will be able to offer the group?
- A CV or portfolio, if you have one
If you have any questions about the role or need support with your application, please reach out to Alice on alice@southsquarecentre.co.uk
This project is supported by Bradford 2025 and Bradford Producing Hub.
