Artist Call-out: 'Trade & Exchange' - Exeter Shop Window Arts Commissions
The city of Exeter has a long history of commercial trade & exchange; for this commission, we encourage an expanded definition, incorporating the trade of ideas and the exchange of experiences too. As a UNESCO City of Literature, Exeter’s new global status is an opportunity to delve into our history and define our future, creating an innovative, sustainable and resilient, carbon neutral city for future generations. Especially during these difficult times, the arts sustain us, and the role of artists is vital to reflect our stories back to us and help us look ahead.
We acknowledge that ‘Trade & Exchange’ is deliberately open to interpretation, and we invite applications that can nod to the future and the innovation of Exeter whilst being mindful of some of our most pressing contemporary issues.
We are offering TWO arts commissions to Devon-based artists; each will be allocated a shop window in an empty retail unit to generate a new site-specific, two-dimensional work, responding to the theme of ‘Trade & Exchange’ and inspired by the collections of the Devon and Exeter Institution (DEI). The arts commissions will be selected by shortlist, then interview on 21 December, with the final work installed on 29 January 2021, the de-installation date will be confirmed. The commissions will be timed to launch for National Storytelling Week (30 January – 6 February 2021).
A fee of £2,000 is available for each commission, which includes: up to two days of supported research at the DEI; all costs related to the creation of the work; artists’ time for installation and deinstallation. A further £500 will be available to each commission for installation and making good (for example, technical support, lighting and/or temporary display fittings, repainting). A separate budget, managed by project partners, is allocated for branding, signage, interpretation and marketing.
The lead partner for ‘Trade & Exchange’ is Exeter Culture and is generously funded by the Liveable Exeter Programme, managed by Exeter City Council, and the Next Chapter project at the Devon and Exeter Institution, funded by the National Heritage Lottery Fund.
Outputs must:
Respond to the theme of ‘Trade & Exchange’, and take inspiration from selected objects in the DEI collections. We encourage you to follow your curiosity and offer unexpected insights into the source material.
Give consideration to community and place-shaping. Use art to create attractive, prosperous and stronger communities, where people want to live, work and do business.
Be two-dimensional with strong visual impact, a lure for passers-by. It can be presented behind the glass, it may be that this could also be presented immediately on the glass but this will depend on the unit.
Be easily visible from the street, 24 hours a day. The empty shop will be accessible for the artist and technicians to install and de-install, but not for visitors and viewers.
Be delivered within the budget, with the shop windows and retail spaces returned to their original state on completion of the commission.
To apply
There is a link to the ‘Trade & Exchange’ Google Form HERE.
Please complete this form to apply and submit by SUNDAY 13 DECEMBER, MIDNIGHT.
You will NOT be asked to provide preliminary designs or mock-ups. You will be asked for examples of your existing practice that illustrate your ability to deliver the arts commission, and a short statement that demonstrates your interest in the theme and track record for creative project delivery.
By applying, you are giving permission for your details to be shared with the selection panel, to be used for the sole purpose of awarding the commissions.
Selection process
The selection panel is made up of representatives from the following project partner organisations: Exeter Culture, Exeter City Council, Devon and Exeter Institution, and Arts and Culture University of Exeter.
Up to FOUR shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an informal discussion to learn more about their practice and interest in the commission. These discussions will be conducted remotely on MONDAY 21 DECEMBER, and there is a fee of £50 to attend. Selected projects will be publicly announced in early January 2021.
Selection criteria
While there is always a degree of subjectivity in the selection of arts commissions, the panel will be working to the following criteria –
The artist (or artists if a collective) is/are based in Devon.
Existing practice demonstrates a strong interest and use in two-dimensional media, with a distinctive style and voice that would be well-suited to a public arts commission.
Genuine interest in the theme of ‘Trade & Exchange’. The artist statement reflects creativity, curiosity in the subject, initial sparking ideas, and links to their practice.
The artist has a successful track record in creative project delivery and installation, including collaborating with partners, as well as time- and budget-management.
Screen-based and moving image work will be considered with the caveat that all equipment and technical costs must be included in the budget.
Timeline
Callout deadline – 13 December 2020
Informal discussion – 21 December 2020
Arts Commission artists publicly announced – Early January 2021
Completed work installed – 29 January 2021
De-installation – to be confirmed
Further information
The choice of windows might change at short notice, as we have to respond to availability. We have scheduled an intensive development process to ensure the selected site will be available for the duration of the display period.
Both commissions will be up for the same amount of time. They will be designed separately and don’t have to reference each other, but are conceived as two parts of one audience offer.
DEI has a huge collection so to make best use of limited time a selection of objects will be made available for commissioned artists to learn more about and offer routes into the ‘Trade & Exchange’ theme. During your two days at DEI, you will be supported to explore the collection (for example, following a line of enquiry sparked by a selected object).
DEI will have a concurrent display of the selected inspiration objects on display during the run of the public presentation of the arts commissions.
Interpretation panels and project partner information will be included on the windows. We will work with artists to ensure that this information sits alongside the commissioned work comfortably. Artists must take this need into consideration when designing and displaying their artwork.
All project partners will promote the ‘Trade & Exchange’ artists and arts commissions via their websites, e-newsletters and email networks, and social media. We ask commissioned artists to also promote ‘Trade & Exchange’ via any digital communication channels they use. We will also look to generate additional Press coverage.
There may be an opportunity for additional public programme outputs at partner sites within the Exeter Heritage Partnership, funded by the DEI and partners. For example, a creative workshop for children or lifelong learners. All venues are covid-secure and protocols must be followed.
Devon & Exeter Institution Collections
Heritage collection - The Library’s foundation collection includes science, mathematics and engineering, natural history, travel and exploration, art and architecture, music, literature, history and religion. The collection of bound volumes of local newspapers, some dating from the 18th century, is unique. There are many early illustrated books, maps, prints and drawings and a comprehensive holding of materials relating to the West Country dating from the 16th century. The Library also holds a large collection of pamphlets and tracts as well as long runs of 19th century periodicals.
West Country collection - We continue to collect publications relating to the history and topography of the West Country, including pamphlets and local journals and newsletters as well as the reports and transactions of societies and institutions. The Library also has an extensive collection of local newspapers on microfilm.
Two examples of Trade & Exchange at DEI are these digitised trade cards and photographs of central Exeter from the last c.120 years:
https://collectionsexplorer.devonandexeterinstitution.org/online-collection/trade-cards?
https://collectionsexplorer.devonandexeterinstitution.org/online-collection/photographs?
The Liveable Exeter Programme
Exeter was granted Garden City designation in 2019, in response to the city’s need for high-quality homes and services. From here, the Liveable Exeter programme was born. Working in close collaboration with local architects and partners, the programme will create new communities for the city guided by Garden City principles. These principles have been built into the core of Exeter’s Vision for 2040 and now have particular relevance as we look to the future and recovery from Covid-19.
They include:
The promotion of human wellbeing: a range of employment opportunities and cultural services
A complete mix of housing, including social and affordable housing
Walkable neighbourhoods, tree-lined streets and high-quality design
Vibrant parks and opportunities for residents to grow or have access to healthy food, while also promoting access to nature and opportunity for biodiversity.
Questions?
If you have any queries about the process or the commission, please contact hello@exeterculture.com