This month sees the culmination of a two-year project at Siobhan Davies Dance, one of the country’s most distinctive dance companies. Choreographer Davies has paired dance artists with visual and applied artists to bring their creative practices together and create new works ranging from performance to film and installation. The commissioned dance artists are Henry Montes, Sarah Warsop, Gill Clarke and Deborah Saxon who are partnered respectively with Marcus Coates, Tracey Rowledge and Lucy Skaer. Henry Montes and Deborah Saxon have also made a piece together with Bruce Sharp. Here, three of the visual artists relate their experiences.
A-n’s Collaborative relationships series exposes the working relationships between artists and the wide range of professionals they choose to collaborate with. In 2009-10 a series of permanent artworks were negotiated for a major redevelopment of Bethnal Green’s former Town Hall into an exclusive hotel. Artsadmin’s Manick Govinda and Clare Qualmann of walkwalkwalk give their account of these negotiations and the work resulting from one of the commissions.
Featuring artists’ projects and new ventures in the public realm.
We’re proud of what a-n Magazine has achieved over its thirty-two years. On the occasion of the last print edition we invited many of our collaborators and contributors to help us celebrate and mark this moment by giving us a ‘few words’ – a short testimonial of what a-n means to them. Here, they reflect on our significant role for artists and on the value of a-n Magazine, publications or initiatives.
A round-up of projects that explore approaches to making and siting art beyond conventional white cube spaces – from travelling fairgrounds and riverboat processions to site-responsive installations and public sculpture.
Jack Hutchinson gets to grips with the latest digital networking tool and asks: how and why should artists be using it?
Flow is a tidemill, a floating building on the River Tyne that generates its own power using a tidal water wheel and houses a range of musical machinery that responds to the river. It is one of the twelve Artists taking the lead’ commissions to celebrate the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. ~Flow is the brainchild of the artist group Owl Project and producer Ed Carter: To bring their fantastical idea to life required the skills and expertise of a diverse range of professionals, including Nicky Kirk, a chartered architect; Amble Boat Company; and David Willcox, a waterwheel designer. Here David, Ed and Owl Project talk about their experience.
A good proposal is like a conversation. To begin a really good relationship, you’ve got to find out as much as you can about who you’re talking to and what they’re interested in. This is the basis of making a successful pitch.
The social media revolution has had a significant impact on the ways artists work. Here we focus on a selection of projects that artists have developed through online collaboration, sourced via our Twitter and Facebook followings.
Access to professional development is vital to artists’ careers, so here’s something we think will help.
From subsidised studio and accommodation to one-on-one mentoring sessions, here we spotlight a selection of residencies that provide support to artists across the UK and beyond.
An abridged version of Dany Louise’s follow-up report on small visual arts organisations cut by Arts Council England, six months after her ‘Ladders for development’ enquiry. She asks: how have these organisations fared and what do their futures hold? Read the full version of this report with updates on all surveyed organisations: www.a-n.co.uk/realising_the_value
Exhibition, residency and bursary opportunities for artists across the UK and beyond.
A survey of commissioning projects and public art consultancies around the UK.
Highlighting just some of the festivals, events and exhibitions taking place across the North of England this season.
James Rigler, Chatsworth Table, ceramic, marble, wood, steel, gold leaf, rope, 2011. Courtesy: Chatsworth House
News and updates on AIR’s strategies and activities designed to support professional artists within their practice and working lives.
Current professional development support schemes for visual artists in the UK.
In 2010 artist Jo Berry embarked on a period of research within the School of Biomedical Sciences at Nottingham University Medical School, alongside Tim Self and Dr Nicholas Holliday. Here they recount the experience of an artist working in a ‘live’ scientific research environment, and the ways that the two disciplines of art and science can benefit each other to a wider audience.
Artists are increasingly working with organisations and other artists in collaborative situations where issues of Intellectual Property may be less clear. We asked solicitor Nicholas Sharp for his advice in response to an artist’s recent query.
A selection of post-graduate study routes on offer across the UK.
A look at current projects and commissions taking place in unconventional settings.
Approached by Modern Art Oxford to deliver art sessions at a Sure Start children’s centre in the Rose Hill area of Oxford, artist Jon Lockhart began a four-year residency at the centre as part of MAO’s ambitious Paul Hamlyn Foundation funded offsite programme.
On 30 March, Arts Council England announced the winners and losers in the new National Portfolio Organisations (NPO) for funding 2012-15. Here’s a-n’s take on what’s happened, the likely impact on artists, independent arts professionals and the arts ecology as well as highlights from some of the many comments and discussions that are in train.
Education and community projects engaging artists and audiences across the UK and Europe.
