PHD CalloutThe Incidental Artist Approach: Contemporary re-workings of the methods and legacies of the Artist Placement Group 1966-1989

In partnership with Flat Time House and Eastside Projects, Birmingham City University are looking for a PHD candidate to undertake an AHRC-funded Collaborative Doctoral Award on the subject of The Incidental Artist approach: contemporary reworkings of the methods and legacies of the Artist Placement Group 1966-1989 as part of the Midlands4Cities Doctoral Training Partnerships.

The project will examine how the ideas and models developed by Artist Placement Group (APG) (1966-89) are both relevant today, and to future possibilities for the role of artists in society. Working with Flat Time House in London, Eastside Projects, and Birmingham City University, this project will evaluate contemporary experimental art projects, generating new understandings of APG’s legacy.

This comparative and critical study will combine art historical and archival research into APG with being an embedded researcher alongside live projects using qualitative methods of participant observation, interviews, and focus group activities. Whilst it is expected that the postgraduate researcher will nominate appropriate theoretical frameworks for their approach to the project, it is anticipated that the research will be theorised through contemporary art and cultural theory. Envisaged primarily as a critical and qualitative project, FTHo and the supervisory team are open to proposals that embed practice research through artistic and/or curatorial approaches that meet the research objectives.

It is anticipated that the postgraduate researcher may come from an art-historical, cultural studies, or related art practice background with the related knowledge, skills, and experience. Experience in archival research as well as interviewing and focus groups would be desirable, however additional training can be accessed at Birmingham City University and supported by supervisory expertise. Key to the project will be a critically informed passion for the potential of artists to make a difference in the world.

How to Apply

Applications open 16 October 2023 for an October 2024 start date.

Deadline: 10 January 2024, UK time 12:00 noon

More information on the project can be found here: https://www.midlands4cities.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/BCU-Flat-time-house.pdf

Information on the application process can be found here: https://www.midlands4cities.ac.uk/apply/

Anyone interested in applying is encouraged to contact the lead university supervisor, Dr Sian Vaughan, Sian.vaughan[at]bcu.ac.uk in the first instance.