Opportunities at Phoenix

BRIGHTON FESTIVAL EXHIBITION:  APRIL – JUNE 2010

This exhibition takes place at a very active time in the Brighton cultural calendar, during an international arts festival which attracts a large number of visitors.  As one of the major artist-led venues in the city, Phoenix is in a position to present a high-profile exhibition that showcases the work of an outstanding artist or collaborative group and also draws national attention to the thriving artist community in the city.

For the 2010 exhibition, we are inviting proposals from artists with a strong and unique vision, who are prepared to take on an ambitious project for Phoenix, and who will work well alongside staff and other artists to deliver the project from start to finish.

Deadline:  14 September 2009

CRITERIA FOR BRIGHTON FESTIVAL EXHIBITION:

• Exhibitors should be based in the UK, and able to travel or be present in Brighton prior to, and during the exhibition period.
• Selected artists(s) will be required to raise funds to cover production, transport and presentation costs.
• They should have a strong track record of preparing and presenting projects on a similar scale and in a limited amount of time.
• This can be a one-person show, or a collaborative group with a successful history of working together. 
• Proposal should address the unusual gallery space in an imaginative way.  (Scroll down to see floor plan and gallery views) Our preference in this instance is for object-based work with an emphasis on employing the physicality of materials in a powerful way.  This can include installation, sculpture, painting or other approaches; digital/video work can be included but should not be the main component of the exhibition.  We also welcome cross-disciplinary collaborations.
• There should be an aspect of the exhibition that creatively engages with visitors in some way.  For example, part of the exhibition may evolve over the 6 week period, so that visitors can return several times and observe the changes; the artist may be working in situ at certain times during the exhibition; visitors could handle some objects or contribute to the development of the exhibition, etc.
• Exhibitor/s should be prepared to engage with local artists.  This would be organized as part of Phoenix’s education programme, and could take the form of a gallery talk, discussion, workshop, collaboration, etc.

The exhibition will run for approximately six weeks, from mid-April to June 2010. 

Phoenix is a non-commercial venue, and as a charity, it subsidizes a significant proportion of the exhibition costs.  Additional funding will be needed to cover production of work, related expenses and artist fees, and we will support and advise artists on funding applications.  Phoenix covers all marketing, publicity materials and invigilation, and provides some technical support.   The exhibition will be part of the Brighton Festival Fringe programme of events.

HOW TO APPLY:

Due to the large numbers of applications received, we have developed a system that helps us to streamline the process and identify artists and projects which best match our current criteria.  We ask you to initially submit an “Expression of Interest” that provides an overview of your work, background and ideas.  If we wish to pursue your application, we will contact you for further information and a more detailed proposal.

Please send by email (preferred) or post:

1. A website address containing background information and examples of your work or previous exhibitions   or
   
   Up to 8 images of recent work (either as jpegs – max. 3 MB if by email, or printouts) and a list with titles, dimensions and media   or
   
   Video documentation on DVD
2. A brief statement (maximum 500 words) describing your current practice, and outlining how you would approach the project and rough timescale.  Also indicate any specific technical requirements.
3. Biographical information or CV
4. Contact information, including email address (An initial reply will usually be via email.)
5. Indicate whether you wish to be considered for other opportunities if not selected for this exhibition
6. Please tell us how you found out about this opportunity.

The above information can be sent by email to:

Subject: “May Festival 2010”. 
Attachments should not exceed a total of 3MB. 

Or by post to:
Phoenix Brighton: May Festival 2010 / 10 – 14 Waterloo Place / Brighton / BN2 9NB.  
Please send by regular post rather than recorded/special delivery. 
Materials will not be returned so please send only duplicates. 

Your materials will be kept on file, and you will be contacted if we wish to pursue your application further.   Due to the volume of material received, we regret that we cannot send individual replies or provide specific feedback on unselected applications.

Deadline:  14 September 2009

To view the Gallery Policy, click here