Estuary 2020 (18 September – 18 October) is the second edition of the large-scale arts festival that celebrates the spectacular Thames Estuary. Taking place on the river itself, and along the 60 miles of South Essex and North Kent coastline, contemporary artworks and events explore and respond to powerful themes resonant to the estuary.
Essex Cultural Diversity Project and Metal have joined together to create opportunities for two emerging artists within the Estuary 2020 festival programme at Wat Tyler Country Park in Basildon, one of four main hubs for Estuary 2020.
Two emerging artists are invited to create new artistic responses to Estuary 2020 themes, with specific opportunities to develop and showcase work.
1. Participation in a creative lab exchange week 6-9 April 2020, to join a cohort of artists working on the Wat Tyler site to exchange, learn and develop practice.
2. Ideas initiated during the exchange week are then developed for exhibition and high profile showcase at Wat Tyler during Estuary 2020 (18 September to 18 October 2020).
Artists appointed through this Open Call will join at least 6 other artists who have been invited to respond to the programme themes: Climate Change and The Environment and The Digital River.
We are seeking UK-based artists working in any discipline. Specifically we invite applications from artists with:
A strong participatory/socially engaged artistic practice
Ability to participate in the creative exchange lab week (6-9 April 2020) and dates duringEstuary 2020 festival
Living and/or working in the UK
Responsiveness to Commission Themes and Wat Tyler site as set out in this document
We are also keen that this opportunity is used by the appointed artist to learn and stretch their practice, and this learning
is shared.
Apply Here: www.estuaryfestival.com/commission-opportunity-open-call
Deadline: 23:59 on Friday 6 March 2020
ASSOCIATED PROGRAMME – ESTUARY 2020
Estuary 2020 (18 September – 18 October) is the second edition of the large-scale arts festival that celebrates the spectacular Thames Estuary. Taking place on the river itself, and along the 60 miles of South Essex and North Kent coastline, it is an ambitious programme of artworks and events that explore and respond to powerful themes resonant to the estuary including industrial heartland, nationally important heritage sites, protected wildlife and open marshland, together with seaside fronts and port towns.
The festival includes installations, exhibitions, events and an accompanying film and talks programme. Artworks set in the landscape, or on the river itself, artist led walks and field trips explore the rich, diverse culture of the region and bring new audiences to significant sites fostering a deeper understanding of the estuary.
Estuary 2020 is managed by estuary-based arts organisations, Metal (South Essex) and Cement Fields (North Kent) working in partnership with a wide range of artists, arts organisations, local authorities, river agencies and businesses.
Alongside the Estuary 2020 programme, to be announced in spring 2020, Estuary 2020 have some extra funding to produce a marketing guide (in print and online) to shout about and share other programmes exploring the same theme, for those who are interested to take up the opportunity. So if you are organising an exhibition, screening, talk, gig, walk, performance or other arts and heritage eventget in touch with them.
