WHO SHOULD APPLY FOR THIS RESIDENCY?
The opportunity is open to artists and creative practitioners of all ages and from any discipline, who have been practising for a minimum of 5 years.
Applications must be UK based but outside of London.
This opportunity is aimed at visual artists, mud larkers, chemists, draughtspersons, urban planners, illustrators, pattern designers, textile designers, photographers, bird watchers, horticulturalists, foragers, gardeners, organisers, engineers, rock and mineral nerds, speculative fiction writers, any other type of writers, groups (or representatives from groups) who are building common ownership infrastructures, or anyone who is interested in presenting complex data sets.
The exhibition will not include live performance or media-based works such as projections, videos or sound works.
We particularly welcome applications from those under-represented within the UK creative sector workforce and audiences, as defined below*
*By under-represented we mean specifically though not exclusively in terms of:
- LGBTQIA+ and/or non-binary
- Having a migrant or refugee experience
- From African Diaspora, from South, East, and Southeast Asian diaspora and/or Ethnically Diverse
- Neurodivergent
- Disabled
- Affected by a health condition or impairment
- Affected by homelessness
- Care-leaver/carer
- Unemployed and/or have received welfare benefits
- Working class and/or first in their immediate family to go to university
PROPOSAL PROMPT
What would be the implications of connecting the two gardens on Victoria Embankment behind Somerset House by repopulating the roads and built structures with organic forms and community infrastructure? What plants or microorganisms would cause significant (visible or invisible) changes to the ecology in the immediate area? Who would be served by a community fridge in that area? What sort of legal framework would be most generative for this patch of new grass? Who would likely be the workers to execute this alteration? What are their needs?
Applicants are asked to speculate on this prompt with either a work already in development or a new work in the vein of where your pre-existing research interests intersect with this question. Though any material gleaned from the site in question is welcome, we are not asking for anyone to directly respond to the prompt with a solution or a proposal.
CURATOR & EXHIBITION THEMES
Curated by Taylor LeMelle, the Gallery 31 exhibition themes will be further developed in conversation with the successful applicant and other participating artists. Applicants are welcome to consider the curator’s current areas of research which include:
- Property, ownership and property law (in the UK and Europe)
- Distribution, repair and value of obsolete media technologies
- Rising water levels and the implications this has for low-lying cities, boats
- Intoxication and cities (think of the phrase “high on life”)
- Healing yourself with plants
- Histories or current examples or fictions of purpose driven self-sufficient communities and children being raised by mutually supportive networks
WHAT THIS RESIDENCY INCLUDES
- £1,000.00 exhibition fee
- £1,500.00 exhibition materials budget
- Contribution towards travel to London costs and accommodation for up to 3 months (up to £3,000 total)
- £1,000 Residency stipend
- Studio space at Somerset House Studios
- Access to facilities including rehearsal space, recording studio (unfacilitated), project space and meeting rooms subject to availability
- Access to Makerversity workshops at subsidised rates
- Mentorship from a Somerset House Studios resident
- Support from the Somerset House Studios team as required to include residency hosting (invitation to socials, connecting you with other residents etc.)
- 1-month Somerset House Studios alumni access following the residency for follow up meetings and networking in London while the work is on show
DETAILED RESIDENCY TIMELINE
- 4 April 2022: Application deadline (10.00am GMT)
- April 2022: Residency confirmed
- May – August 2022: Residency takes place at Somerset House Studios, London
- 22-29 July 2022: Exhibition installation
- 28 July 2022: Exhibition private view
- 29 July – 20 November 2022: Gallery 31 exhibition dates
- August-September 2022: Somerset House Studios alumni access
- 21 – 30 November 2022: exhibition deinstall
WILL I RECEIVE CONFIRMATION OF RECEIPT OF MY APPLICATION?
Yes, confirmation of all applications will be emailed.
WHO SELECTS THE ARTISTS?
Taylor LeMelle, Exhibition Curator
Tai Shani, Resident Artist, Somerset House Studios
Leonara Manyangadze, Senior Programmer, Somerset House Studios
Huw Thomas, Producer, Somerset House Studios
TIME COMMITMENT
It is expected that successful applicants would be available to be in London on an agreed regular basis between May-August 2022.
CAN I RECEIVE FEEDBACK ON MY APPLICATION IF I’M NOT SUCCESSFUL?
Due to the anticipated volume of applications, we will not be able to offer feedback to unsuccessful applicants. Please note that the panel decision is final and there is no appeal or reconsideration process.
HOW MANY ARTISTS WILL BE SUPPORTED THROUGH THIS PROGRAMME?
One artist will be selected to take part in the three-month residency, culminating in the presentation of a new work in Gallery 31.
WHEN AND WHERE WILL THE WORK BE PRESENTED?
The private view will take place on Thursday 28 July, with the exhibition open to the public in Gallery 31 at Somerset House from 29 July to 20 November 2022.
WHAT IS THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS?
4 April 2022 (10.00am GMT)