ARTISTS TALKING

# 21 [21 August 2010]

The Search Party event is just around the corner. Next weekend they will take on Lincoln in an epic table tennis tournament. Our intern Bethan has manged to get the Mayor to play the opening game, which promises to be a great start to the three days! (28-30)

Its been a busy week, we are planning for the other two commissions of the year, S Mark Gubb and Townley and Bradby. S Mark Gubb is making a set of flags to fly on top of the Usher Gallery to mark it's re-opening after refurbishment. The flags will look at the history of the UK nations and how they have been represented in the Union Jack over the years. This stems from Marks interest in national identities as a half Welsh half English artist living in Cardiff.

We are planning the flag launch for September 25th, and I am currently researching traditional nation cakes to serve as people watch the flags rise. There are some obvious cakes, Welsh Cakes for Wales, Victoria Sponge for England, Scotland has a good selection including Caramel Shortbread, Dundee Cake and Marmalade Cake, however Ireland seems to have less of a sweet tooth and less tradition cakes. So far I have found a Gur Cake, which I have eaten and is actually quite nice.

This week Anna Townley also came to Lincoln for a site visit. This October Townley and Bradby will be having a residency on a barge in the Brayford Wharf (an expanse of water in central Lincoln). The artists have two children aged 2 and 5 who they will be bringing with them on the residency. One of the largest worries we had was looking after children on a boat, however for some people this is every day life so I am sure its manageable. Anna has never been on a narrow boat, so we are looking forward to see how the experience will shape their work and what the experience will be like for them.

Amelia

# 20 [6 July 2010]

Taking place over two days (Fri 2nd - Sat 3rd) this Saturday saw Agnes Nedregard undertake her new commissioned work 'Pilgrimage of the Fool'

The project's pilgrimage format was kind of split into two sections that spread over the two days, firstly on the Friday and Saturday morning the majority of the pilgrimage was undertaken and people were invited to join from the various villages and landmarks that the pilgrim passed, and secondly upon arriving in Lincoln audiences were invited to welcome Agnes into the city and join her for the final section through Lincoln High St, and towards Lincoln Cathedral.

After a 20 mile walk on the Friday from the small Lincolnshire village of Woodhall Spa to Washinborough the short distance to Lincoln on the Saturday was welcomed. In all the pilgrimage was just short of 25 miles.

On the Friday Agnes began walking along the Viking Way which took her through various terrain, including tall grass, forests, and even a field with a bull in it, all before arriving in Bardney for lunch. Along the way she met farmers, people in the pub and was even joined at points by other people to share the pilgrimage.

After lunch on Friday and a short de-tour to Bardney Abbey, Agnes made the final journey of the day from Barney to Washinborough by the canal following a nine mile route of endless cycle track, before arriving in the end destination for the night.

The 3 mile route to Lincoln on Saturday morning was taken at a leisurely pace. For 13.00 Agnes arrived at the Stonebow archway in Lincoln center to complete the final part of her pilgrimage to the Cathedral.

Once at the Cathedral Agnes gave audience members marbles to plant around the grounds, reflecting those she had planted on route, she unraveled her bundle which she had carried over her shoulder for the journey. The bundle revealed a glass ball with a matchstick model of the Cathedral inside. On route the ball had broken, so Agnes took the model out and placed the miniature version on the steps to its parent.

# 19 [30 June 2010]

Interns and Artists

Last week saw Alan and I interviewing for interns to assist the Lincoln Art Programme. The process was hard as we felt responsible to each person, realising that everyone needs an opportunity, and all the candidates were really good, but we haven't the space for everyone. In the end we chose Bethan Johnson a recent Loughborough Fine Art graduate (her degree show piece was great!) and Nick Simpson who also runs the DR collective in Lincoln, we have also asked current student Georgina Gregory to assist us on a casual basis. Its all very exciting and we are looking forward to welcoming them into the team tommorow.

Tomorrow Agnes Negregard also arrives, its the day before her pilgrimage starts, so there is a lot to talk through. So Thursday will be a mix of intern inductions, final planning and press for the pilgrimage and office organisation.

We have decided for the pilgrimage that one member of the Lincoln Art Programme team should go with Agnes. So on Friday morning my self, Agnes and a photographer are heading to Woodhall Spa to begin the journey. We have until 7.00pm to reach our destination at Washinborough with various points on the way to stop at. People can keep contact with where the pilgrimage is up to by texting 07871335193 for updates.

Then Saturday it is only a short walk from Washingborough to Lincoln where an audince will gather at the Stonebow Archway on Lincoln High Street at 1.00pm to take part in the final stage of the pilgrimage.

The weather will be wonderful so it should be a great couple of days!

www.lincolnartprogramme.co.uk/agnesnedregard.html

Amelia 

# 18 [30 May 2010]

On Friday we signed the licence agreement with the University of Lincoln for an office space within the fine art department building. This feels like somewhat of a milestone in the organisations development. A space in the city in which the Lincoln Art Programme can function, has been an objective since we started in early 2009, we now have a postal address, internet, and a phone line, all things that bigger organisations may take for granted, previously we have had to work from home, but now we have this space in which the organisation can live and breathe from. No more meeting artists in local cafes...

Since acquiring this space, we have being discussing how best to utilise this new space, as well as an office, we want it to act as a hub for artist led activity in Lincoln, a space where people can visit, and meet, we want the space to help facilitate the growing artist led infrastructure in the city. We have it initially for 6 months, with a review for a further 6 months in December; it's up to us to show them that having the Lincoln Art Programme on their doorstep is a good thing...

We have started advertising and promoting our latest event which is a new work by Norwegian artist Agnes Nedregard on July 3rd, she is going to undertake a two day pilgrimage to Lincoln Cathedral, in which people can join her either for the final section of the pilgrimage, or if they are feeling slightly more adventurous can join her for a longer walk. Were putting particular effort to utilise online marketing tools, and in effect trying to reduce the amount of 'marketing stuff' we produce. I've spoken to a few other organisations who are attempting to follow a similar approach. But then again you can't beat a nice flyer can you? People like that physical object in which to hold, look at and keep...

Here's more info on Agnes project, on the Visit Lincolnshire website

http://www.visitlincolnshire.com/site/events/agnes-nedregard-pilgrimage-of-the-fool-p253431

Alan

# 17 [17 May 2010]

In light of a project that will take place over the August bank holiday weekend I Spent the other day trying to convince members of the Lincoln authorities that playing table tennis poses no risk to the public, can you imagine the headlines? Death by ping pong ball’ seriously though, it’s difficult to try and explain and dispel safety fears when in the back of your mind, the risk seems non-existent. But I guess it highlights the bureaucratic and health and safety policy approach of doing about things these days.

We found out the other day that our Arts Council application has been successful, which accompanied with funding from Lincolnshire County Council, means we are now able to do the projects that we have spent the previous months planning and arranging. Having a positive funding letter arrive on your doorstep is both exhilarating, and relieving, the idea of contacting artists who you have developed a project with and telling them that we haven’t got the money would be hard, especially as many artists rely heavily on commission fees in which to make a living, so I’m glad I don’t have to write those emails (not in 2010 anyway!)

We are on the verge of being given an office space in Lincoln city centre, due to Lincoln University giving us a space that used to be student art shop before it closed a few years ago. The space should provide us with a space in which to work from, as well as being one of Lincolns first artist led spaces, which can only benefit the students who are studying their BA’s fine art courses next door.  A word should go out to an old Uni tutor John Plowman, who has guided us through various potential mine field meetings with ‘estates’ and health and safety officers. The lease is due to be signed within 10 days. Fingers crossed.

We are getting there…

Alan

# 16 [5 May 2010]

Blog posts seem a bit sporadic here, so there is lots to talk about.

Lincoln Art Programme went to Bristol earlier in the month to visit some people in the city. We received a NAN bursary which was originally destined for another location, we never the less made it to Bristol and visited Search Party and Residence. The trip was invaluable, we wanted to meet with Search Party as we will be working with them this year (subject to funding). We plan to bring one of their touring works to the city so that Search Party can take on the city in a marathon game of ping pong!!! Everything is more or less in place we just need the green light.

We received a letter from Lincoln County Council accepting our funding application, which is fantastic news. It is as usual conditional on the ACE funding we applied for, so lets hope that's a yes, we should hear in the next week or so. Its quite a tricky situation, we have cleared one mountain but if the ACE mountain is a 'no' then its back to the drawing board.

Alan is working hard to secure an office for us in the city, its going well but there are many rues and regs before anything happens. We do need a base in the city though, this will enable us to be truly Lincoln based and can allow for us to expand in new directions. After all it is much better to have meetings in our office than in the various cafes around the city. Hopefully we can also get more people involved to help out, interns perhaps.

(We also saw Nick Clegg in Bristol, he could be PM in 48 hours!)

Amelia 

# 15 [16 March 2010]

We are excitedly planning our 2010 activity and getting the funding applications sorted. We received funding from NAN towards our activities and are planning a trip to the Southern counties, hopfully the research trip will inform the development of our future programming.

We will have on overnight trip and stay in Bristol, and there meet some of the artists we are working with this season, whilst having a look at Bristol's art spaces and activities. We also plan to sample what Frome has to offer, relating to art activities in a sparsely populated area.

I have become more familiar with art activities in smaller cities and towns, even villages since working on the Lincoln Art Programme. Despite many sceptical opinions I believe that with perseverance small places can sustain art environments, and Frome is proof of this.  

In other news we are attempting the new online ACE application system and rather hoping that there isn't an official word limit. We seem to be rather good at exceeding all word counts on applications.

We have also set up a new mailing list subscription page on our website, which should make it a lot easier for people to receive information from us.

Amelia

# 14 [10 February 2010]

After a short down time it seems to have been all hands on deck for Lincoln Art Programme over the past few weeks. We have had countless meeting which have been really helpful, many of which involve trying to find an office space free of charge, not a small order by any means. We may have hit lucky with this, but am not counting my chickens before they have hatched, there is always strings attached. It also came from an unlikely source through our business adviser who I may add is surprisingly helpful, I would recommend Business Link they are really good at what they do and seem to have time for everyone, even those asking for a free office.

Its the time of year when we are applying for funding, and dont we just know it. After many high blood pressure occasions we are about to send the first of three off in the post. This year we have gone for more of a match funding application with two main funders and one more contributory. A lot rests on these as if one funder says no the other is also likely too, which would be terrible as 2010 programme would be put on hold until we can secure the funding. The only foreseeable reason we would fall down on is that if the assessors dont think our project is art, our demand for activity is strong though, and we are doing more research to prove this.

I have updated the website so we now have a new front page which is up to date. We need to build our Facebook page now, and get lots of people directed to the site for more information. This was something that was raised recently with a meeting I had at the Collection. The Collection are about to branch into social networking as do a lot of places these days as a more cost effective and directly targeting way of communicating to people. It seems strange that the casual social networking sites that seem very unofficial are becoming places where big institutions can appeal to a mass audince, it just seems a little informal, but I see the logic.

Amelia

# 13 [8 January 2010]

Our evaluation of last years activity is now complete and we have a shiny new business plan to take us to the end of 2012 in place! That said we now need to implement the plan, and that begins with getting funding!

Last year we relied heavily on Arts Council England for funding but 2010 onwards needs to see a larger proportion of income from other sources. We have set up numerous meetings to try and raise awareness of the organisation and to secure funding. Every meeting we have had thus far has gone well, but there have been no pots of gold at the end of the rainbow. We have managed to pin down application writing to an extent but not meeting styles to sell the organisation. This has become quite a worry because with out funding from other sources we wont get Arts Council funding! What we need is a wealthy beneficiary to come our way.

The plan for this year is to secure a permanent base in the city that functions as an office and base for art work to originate or tie into. We also want to formally constitute the organisation and work towards three commissions. The first stage of this is primarily meetings and application writing, I think it will be some time before any project outwardly materialises so our presence in the city will be limited for the time being. This is really why we need a base in the city. Evan a caravan with a plot would do, in fact I quite like that idea, the Lincoln Art Programme caravan....

Amelia

# 12 [31 December 2009]

The slow crawl back into work begins this week as we pick up speed heading into the new year. Things on the to do list that remain, is to finish the ACE report form, and burn a DVD to go with it, and then to move on to planning.

We are planning on making a DVD of all the footage we have taken over the course of 2009, and I have spent what seems for ever editing footage for web versions and DVD versions, and then converting to compressed files, the next stage is to find out how to make an intro page to a DVD of which I have no clues about.

For 2010 we want to have a permanent presence in the city of Lincoln, and are making some headway into securing a base in the city which we can work from, as well as making connections around the city that will introduce the programme to people. Although this is obviously not as fun as programming its equally as important if we want to grow as an organisation, and support other fledgling groups in the city. Speaking of which DR are looking very promising as they have secured a short term gallery space in the city in spring of next year.

Just a few more late nights and we will have completed all the paper work etc from 2009, and then its all forward planning.

Amelia