Open Call for Artists and Creative Practitioners to create fun and engaging online content for Milton Keynes Arts Centre

Milton Keynes Arts Centre is commissioning fun and engaging creative learning content for our website.

Application deadline: 30 May 2020
Shortlist week commencing 01 June 2020
Content delivery deadline: 19 June 2020*

*Content will be released weekly from Monday 29 June via our website and across our social channels.

We are seeking short artist-led workshops to follow at home, and practical demonstrations exploring a range of arts practice, aimed at our online communities. We would like to see proposals for content which encourages creative thinking and provides inspiration for our audiences.

These are extraordinary times and we are committed to supporting artists, creative practitioners and communities in Milton Keynes and beyond. If you have an idea you would like to discuss before making an application, please email us.

Artist brief – what we are looking for

Milton Keynes Arts Centre is keen that both our regular course participants and new online audiences have access to a program of creative learning opportunities in these times of isolation and social distancing.

We aim to commission artists to deliver content for online distribution, which will be free to the public and accessed through our website.

While we encourage experimentation, we would also welcome workshops and demonstrations which align with our currently on hold programme of creative courses

We require each piece of proposed content to be between 10–15 minutes. Artists will receive £75 artist fee inclusive of VAT, per content, which includes editing and prep time (equivalent to 3hours work). Please provide a minimum of 2 proposed sessions and maximum of 6; from which we will choose a selection. Please note we may only wish to commission one out of a possible 6 proposed workshops/ demos.

Materials costs will be reimbursed up-to a total of £5.00 per workshop or demonstration. Please include an outline of expenses as part of your proposal.

The £75 per workshop/ demonstration fee will cover all costs including:
Liaison with Milton Keynes Arts Centre
Planning*
Production & editing
Delivery

*We are aware that the timeframe for planning and post-production is limited, and understand you may not be able to develop new content. If this is the case, we are happy for workshops and demonstrations to be based on your current or previous work. However, ask that you please do not submit anything that is already available on your website, Vimeo, YouTube or other channels.

Editing and production
All proposed content must be able to be created safely within current government guidelines and restrictions surrounding COVID-19.
For video and audio, we expect artists to have the equipment and skills to record and edit their own content.If you would like to supply a series of images and instructions, please note we will not consider word documents, low resolution jpegs or PDFs. Once shortlisted, we will provide a structure for work to be produced within.

Your proposal - please include the following
Max 200 word description: what will participants make/ what are the techniques/ effects you would like to demonstrate.
Who your content is for: adults, children, everyone?
What materials will someone watching from home need? Please provide some alternative solutions i.e. vegetable dyes instead of watercolours.
5 words or phrases which describe desired learning outcomes.
Equipment and/ or program specifications you intend to use.

Please also submit your CV and cover letter including a short outline of your past experience facilitating creative workshops including examples/ images, no more than 1 side of A4. This can be ‘offline’ workshops, however if you have experience hosting workshops digitally, please let us know.