Open call for artists
A Real Woman
APPLICATIONS FOR SEASON 4 ARE NOW CLOSED
Exhibit your artwork for millions to see! Submissions are now open for Season 4. The Gallery is on a mission to spark meaningful conversations through art, and this time, we want your take on: A Real Woman.
What does it really mean to be a woman? How do women see themselves – in relation to each other and to the rest of the world?
How does a woman decide the kind of woman she is? Who’s looking? Who’s judging? What insight might the experience of transgender women provide? We want to hear from any artist who identifies in any way, if they feel they have artistic insight to share.
The 10 selected proposals will be reproduced at scale and displayed for millions to see in public sites traditionally reserved for advertising across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. This is an opportunity for artistic exposure on a grand scale and to be part of the national conversation.
Artists selected acknowledge that their artwork is being exhibited in the public realm on billboards and other media around the UK, and that it responds to a theme which may provoke public debate. The quality and manner of this debate is likely to be unpredictable.
Please note, although The Gallery encourages conversation and debate, we do not condone hate speech, discriminatory messaging, or deliberately offensive imagery.
Applications close: 23:59 GMT, Sunday 4 February 2024
Please read or listen to the information pack below before applying.
Produced by Artichoke and conceived in collaboration with Creative Director and public artist Martin Firrell, this major project is supported by the Out-of-Home* industry.
*The term Out-of-Home refers to any visual advertising media found outside of the home, including on-street billboards, digital screens, bus-shelters and train stations.
What you get
Artists will be supported to develop and adapt their work for outdoor presentation. They will also receive ongoing mentoring and advice during the process. All artists receive:
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A fee of £2,000
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Support from Creative Director Martin Firrell
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Support from our exhibition Curator Bakul Patki
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An international platform to exhibit work including through the dedicated website at thegallery.org.uk
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The services of a designer to format the artwork for digital and print if required
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Costs of production, mounting, and leasing of the advertising spaces
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Selected photographic documentation of the artwork displayed outdoors
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Scheduled online meet-ups with fellow contributing artists and team
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Invitation to exhibition launch in May 2024. If based in the UK, standard travel and one night’s accommodation will be included. For artists based outside of the UK, a travel stipend of £200 towards any/all travel expenses, including visa fees and one night’s accommodation is included.
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For those based outside the UK, Artichoke will explore additional means of support towards travel costs where possible (e.g from Embassies, Trusts and Foundations).
Theme
The theme for Season 4 is: A Real Woman
What does it really mean to be a woman? How do women see themselves – in relation to each other and to the rest of the world?
How does a woman decide the kind of woman she is? Who’s looking? Who’s judging? What additional insight might the experience of transgender women provide?
‘ I’m really excited to see the proposals ‘A Real Woman’ inspires, and look forward to the conversations that come from them. We have no preconceived notions of what a ‘correct’ response to this theme should be. We’re interested in everyone’s stories and want to understand people’s individual experiences.’ – Bakul Patki, Curator, Season 4
‘Art has always had the power to help us see the world more clearly and to navigate its complexities with creative vigour and insight. I believe the 5 conversation about ‘a real woman’ will be rich and timely and of incredible importance.’ – Martin Firrell, Creative Director, The Gallery
We’re keen to hear from any artist who identifies in any way, if they feel they have artistic insight to share. Artworks are chosen for their artistic merit, visual impact in the public space and ability to engage with the theme.
Please note, although The Gallery encourages conversation and debate, our exhibitions are public, and we do not condone hate speech, discriminatory messaging, or deliberately offensive imagery.
Eligibility
The call is open to all practitioners aged 18+, working at any level, including students.
Artists can be based anywhere in the world. This initiative exists to champion ground-breaking artworks by artists at any stage of their practice.
Artworks must be proposals for two-dimensional static works in any media. This includes, but is not limited to, photography, painting, drawing, text work, prints, mixed media and collage.
Collaborative applications as a group or collective are eligible (fee remains at £2,000).
Inclusion and diversity
Artichoke is committed to equality and diversity in all opportunities provided. We encourage entries from artists of all backgrounds, ages, genders, socio-economic backgrounds, ethnicities, religions, sexual orientations, and from those who identify as having a disability or consider themselves neurodiverse.
We ask demographic questions in the application form, but this information is not mandatory, and you can choose not to complete this part of the form if you prefer.
To ensure that a diversity of voices is represented in the exhibition, the selection process will not be anonymous, and the selection panel will have access to the demographic information provided if artists choose to include this in their application form.
Asking for demographic information also helps us to monitor how well we are reaching our organisational aims. In addition, we may be required to report on this data as part of funding agreements.
All information will be kept securely in line with General Data Protection Regulations, and any data shared with a funder will be amalgamated and anonymised.
Application Questions
Please download and read the the information pack below before applying. We recommend preparing your answers before filling out the online application form. Please find the questions and character limits below.
We also ask for contact details and demographic information.
1. Please share your artist bio. This is a short professional biography which can include career highlights, education and a summary of your work.
(Max 1,250 characters, including spaces)
2. Describe your existing or proposed artwork.
(Max 5,000 characters, including spaces)
3. How does your artwork relate to the Season 4 theme: A Real Woman?
(Max 3,500 characters, including spaces)
Applications close:
23:59 GMT, Sunday 4 February 2024
Please download and read the Open Call Information Pack below before you complete the online application form. This pack includes:
- Guidance about preparing and uploading your submission
- Terms and Conditions
- Frequently asked questions
Open Call Information Pack (PDF)
Open Call Information Pack (Plain Text Document)
Open Call Information Pack (Large Print – PDF)
Pecyn Gwybodaeth (Welsh Translation – PDF)
Pecyn Gwybodaeth (Welsh Translation – Plain Text Document)
If you are unable to apply via the link above, the application form is also available to download below as a Word Document. If you do so, please send your form to us via email: TheGallery@artichoke.uk.com.
You can also print and post your form to the following address:
ARTIST OPEN CALL
Artichoke Trust 28
Commercial Street
London
E1 6AB
Your postal application needs to reach us on or before the deadline date: 23:59 GMT, Sunday 4 February 2024
Application Form (Word Document) – Please use only if you are not able to apply online via the button above
Ffurflen Gais (Welsh Translation – Word Document) – Defnyddiwch dim ond os na allwch wneud cais ar-lein drwy’r botwm uchod
Getting help to apply:
We are very happy to answer any questions. Please get in touch if you need:
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Any help with completing your application
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This information in a different format
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To apply in a different format