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For artists that identify as trans and gender diverse

Artists who participated in the 2021 Vital Capacities Residency: Siphenathi Mayekiso, Echoes of Identity, 2021; artwork still, Ecologies of Belonging (a Meditation in Progress) by Rebekah Ubuntu, courtesy of the Artist.
Artists who participated in the 2021 Vital Capacities Residency: Siphenathi Mayekiso, Echoes of Identity, 2021; artwork still. Rebekah Ubuntu, Ecologies of Belonging (a Meditation in Progress). Courtesy of the artist.

Following last year’s very successful programme, the Institute for Creative Arts (ICA) is looking for artists interested in applying for this year’s Vital Capacities online residency programme. The aim of this year’s residency is to support artists who identify as trans and gender diverse. In using the terms ‘trans’ or ‘transgender’ we include all people who identify their gender as different to the sex that was originally assigned at birth, whether this is female, male, non-binary or another identity.

The residency is about creating accessible spaces for artists and audiences and offers artists an opportunity to share work, have a platform, develop new connections, meet with curators and arts professionals, and build a new network. Residencies last for one month, are flexible, and can be built around artists’ commitments, enabling artists to create, and participate according to their schedule.

The ICA partners with Videoclub UK, Wysing Art Centre (Cambridge), and East Street Arts Leeds for the Vital Capacities residency, bringing together artists from South Africa and the UK. More information about Vital Capacities here.

Time period: August 2022 for the residency and September 2022 to prepare for the online exhibition. The selected artist must be available for a meeting in the week of 25 July.

What is offered as part of the programme: 

  • Access to Videoclub / Vital Capacities curators for support and advice, via group and 1-to-1 meetings.
  • Meetings with and support from partner arts organisations.
  • Arranged meetings with UK and international curators and arts professionals through a talks and development programme.
  • An online exhibition of work at the end of the residency programme, as part of a group show with other artists on the residency.
  • Dedicated online studio and research pages, where artists can add details about work in progress, production, and research. Artists will have the choice in how to publish and promote their work using the “back end” of the website. Artists are given a dedicated login to access and edit these areas.
  • Induction and support in using the website, with additional consultation with the Vital Capacities web designer where needed. 
  • Promotion and marketing of artists’ work throughout the residency and the final exhibition/showcase at the end of the programme. 
  • Training and support in how to make work accessible online – working with a digital inclusion specialist.

What is expected from the participating artists in the programme: 

  • To contribute to and participate in the programme by attending group and 1-to-1 meetings.
  • To add work to their studio and research pages at least 3 times per week. 
  • To participate in a final exhibition, contributing work they have made during the residency to the exhibition.
  • To make additions to the website accessible by following guidelines, using access streams when possible (such as alt text, captions), and working with a digital inclusion specialist.
  • To promote the programme to their networks and engage in marketing and PR opportunities.
  • To share and engage on social media that they are present on.

Selected artist will receive £2,250. To apply, please complete the webform by 23:59 (SAST) 17 July 2022.

Vital Capacities has been created by Videoclub in consultation with artists, digital inclusion specialist Sarah Pickthall and website designer Oli Pyle.

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