The Exchange 2, OPEN CALL

THE EXCHANGE is an evolving project bringing together artists from across the UK together, pairing peers from different networks and opening up space for new creative conversations.

Becoming part of The Exchange is an opportunity to begin a new creative exchange with an artist outside of your network, supported by a series of workshops and events. Focussed on developing new relationships and friendships between artists who wouldn’t otherwise be able to connect, this open-ended process has no limits or boundaries but is simply framed by the invitation to begin a discussion. There is no formal requirement to collaborate or generate an outcome and participants will be able to communicate however they wish, at a frequency to suit the pairing. 

The Exchange 2  builds upon the 2021 iteration of the project where 60 artists across the UK were paired together. Artists who participated valued the connection with another peer and the opportunity to support and think alongside one another. Although there was no expectation of a formal outcome some artists did make together, producing video collages, animation, sacred knotting installations, and performances. There were a variety of responses, levels of connection, outcomes and conversations with some artists connecting for a short time and others who are continue to talk and collaborate long into the future. Take a look at the first iteration HERE.

Eastside Projects (EOP), CAMP (Plymouth), Castlefield Gallery Associates (Manchester), The NewBridge Project (Newcastle), Primary (Nottingham), Spike Associates (Bristol), and Turf Projects (Croydon) will each select eight artists from their network to take part in the project through this open call. In total 56 artists will participate.

Over nine months a series of online networking events and artist-led activities for The Exchange artists will be hosted by the partner organisations, with the aim of supporting artists, building networks and making further connections. As an optional part of the application process artists can propose an event they would like to share with the wider cohort. Each artist-led event has an available budget of £250 and the support of a host organisation. At the end of the nine months, we will host an artist-led summit which will be a public opportunity to share experiences, stories and, if appropriate, outcomes. Attendance at events is voluntary – but we expect you to attend at least two. You will need to be self-motivated to organise conversations with your partner, and willing to put some time aside to regularly exchange with your partner.

THE PROGRAMME DATES

Most events will be online and responsive to COVID guidance
22 November 2021: Deadline for applications

Early January 2021: Artist pairs are introduced

10 February, 2–4pm: A big welcome to the project through an informal and fun ‘getting to know you’ event, hosted by Eastside Projects
3 March, 7–8.30pm: Social networking event hosted by The NewBridge Project
1 April, 7–8.30pm: An Exchange artist led event, hosted by Turf Projects
29 April, 2–4pm: An Exchange artist led event, hosted by Castlefield Gallery
10 June, 7–8.30pm: An Exchange artist led event, hosted by CAMP
5 August, 7–8.30pm: An Exchange artist led event, hosted by Spike Island
15 September, 2–5pm: The Exchange Summit, a public sharing event held at Primary, co-hosted with the project partners.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications are open to EOP members only – find out more about joining HERE

Please submit your application HERE by, 10am Monday 22nd November 2021.

We acknowledge that application writing is unpaid labour and we want to keep this process to a minimum. As such, we are asking for a brief expression of interest to be submitted via our online form, and no more. Applications can be written, or an audio / video submission. If applying via audio/video please host externally (eg. Vimeo) and copy the link into your application.

We strongly advise you to prepare the material in advance and then upload it to avoid losing information.

ADDITIONAL NOTES 
– If you are a member/associate of more than one project partner, please only apply through one
– Members that have taken part in The Exchange (1) are not eligible to apply. Artists that have previously applied but have not been successful are welcome to re-apply with a new application.