There was a major shift during the pandemic on how we perceive our surroundings and daily interactions. Our narratives tell a story of a collective grief and resurgence of Black voices and experiences.
Given the anniversary that sparked global protests on race and how it played a vital role in the pandemic that exposed disparities within the UK system BlackFest are looking closely at Place, Persona and Parables.
Their 2021 festival will respond to those experiences. The artistic theme of this year’s festival is Parallels: geographical, political, historical, social, physical and class in our society.
They are looking for proposals in visual arts, film, spoken word, music, and theatre.
Some examples of what they are looking for may include:
- The Black Lives Matter and racial equality movements have taken place throughout history what is different now? They are looking for proposals to explore these narratives and how arts, heritage and culture played a role.
- Proposals can include other dynamics such as mother like daughter, father like son, parallels between duality of identity and place/background.
- Parallels between Black and brown communities as an example: the idea of matriarchs’ their roles within families and society, the place of food in communities and traditions and rituals.
- Parallels between the dream state to living.
- Artists can also submit their own interpretations of parallel’s, from parallel universes/dimensions and personalities and characters within those paradigms. Is there an alternative Black Experience? – This is a nod to the Twilight Zone.
Visual Arts
BlackFest have one commission opportunity for a Visual artist to put in a proposal for this year’s festival. Their Visual Arts segment is supported by Tate, Bluecoat and The Royal Standard and BlackFest have collectively curated an extensive professional development package:What you will get:
Bluecoat Offer:
- £350 costs towards materials from Bluecoat
- Professional development support from Bluecoat Head of Programme Marie-Ann Quay
Tate’s offer:
- Portfolio Feedback Session
- Reviewing past work and helping to reflect and look forward.
- Working with Commissions
- Helping artist work with a brief, develop proposals and work with feedback.
- Working with press releases
- How to frame your work and present it to the press
- Talking about your work
- Developing your point of view
- Workshop we would work with the appointed artist to develop a workshop for gallery visitors with the ambition that this could take place at Tate should restrictions allow in the future. The artist would work with myself to develop a workshop as part of Tate’s Learning programme and support would be offered in the development and delivery of the workshop including materials to be defined through the workshop planning.
The Royal Standard:
- Studio Space at the Royal Standard from 1st September 2021
- Curating support from an artist Lead at The Royal Standard.
- Marketing and technical support
BlackFest Offer:
- Be a part of BlackFest 2021
- Support with vision and finding your voice
- Connecting you with resources that will support curation of your solo exhibition.
- Build professional career connections and relationship with established Visual arts organisations.
- Engage local communities and grow your audience.
- Marketing and promotion
To apply please fill in an artist registration form Download Here and send in no less than an A4 document with, a short bio about yourself, a piece of work you have curated as a visual artist and what is your vision/piece for the festival? Why you would like this opportunity at BlackFest?
Deadlines for submitting films are 31st July, 21
Please send all film submissions, and any general enquiries to info@blackfest.co.uk
Film
They are accepting 1 short film submission duration of 30 mins. It can be student work and work-in-progress. There is no cost to submit your work, at this stage we are looking for your pitch, if you are successful, we will then call you in to view the film. If your submission is selected, you will receive:
- Platform to screen your work
- Reach new audiences
- Expand your portfolio
- A post show discussion with valuable feedback
- Build a relationship with an established art organisation.
- Travel and expenses covered to screening and consultations with our team.
Be a part of BlackFest festival 2021
To apply fill in an artist registration form Download Here and send in no less than an A4 document with, a short bio about yourself, title, synopsis, why did you make the film, why now and why you want to screen it at BlackFest?
Deadlines for submitting films are 31st July, 2021
Please send all film submissions, and any general enquiries to info@blackfest.co.uk
Dance
One dance lead artist commission to devise a piece on parallels and their own story and connection to the theme. Approximately a 10 minute piece to be showcased at the Unity theatre on the opening night to set the tone of the festival. What they are offering:
- Platform your work
- Marketing and promotion
- Reach new audiences
- Expand your portfolio
- A post show discussion with valuable feedback
- Build a relationship with an established art organisation.
- Travel and expenses to rehearsals and consultations with our team.
Be a part of BlackFest festival 2021
To apply fill in an artist registration form Download Here and send in no less than an A4 document with, a short bio about yourself, title, synopsis, why did you make the film, why now and why you want to screen it at BlackFest?
Deadlines for submitting films are 31st July, 2021
Please send all film submissions and any general enquiries to info@blackfest.co.uk
Theatre
Unity TheatreOne playwright commission to showcase an hour piece of theatre work in progress. What they offer you:
- Reach new audiences
- One to one support with your play
- Work with professional director
- Support with rehearsals
- Travel and expenses covered
- Perform at the Unity Theatre
- Full days rehearsal at the Unity theatre
- Full Tech covered
- Insight into touring work
- Post show discussion with valuable feedback from industry professionals
To apply please fill in an artist registration form Download Here in no more than A4 please send in a short bio about yourself and contact information with a copy of your play blackfestcreatives@gmail.com
Spoken Word Poetry
Unity Theatre
BlackFest are commissioning 4 spoken word artists around the theme of parallels as outlined above. This is supported by Bluecoat. This will be film screening LIVE digital experience however if covid guidelines allow will be a LIVE performance at the Bluecoat. What they will offer:
- Reach new audiences
- One to one artistic support with your story
- Work with professional director
- Perform digitally or LIVE
To apply please fill in an artist registration form Download Here in no more than A4 please send in a short bio about yourself and contact information with a copy of your play blackfestcreatives@gmail.com
Music
- Reach new audiences
- Network with industry professionals
- Vocal workshop working with a professional vocalist.
- Support with rehearsals
- Travel and expenses covered
- Full Tech covered
- Post show discussion with valuable feedback from industry professionals
Community Performances
They are accepting submissions from community groups and emerging spoken word, poets, playwrights, comedians and musicians to test new work on their Celebration night at the Philharmonic Hall and bring communities together on the 9th October 2021. The individual sets are 10 mins and group performance can be up to 30 mins in duration.
To apply please fill in a lead artist/ organisation registration form Download Here in no more than A4 please send in a short bio about yourself and contact information with a copy of your play to: info@blackfest.co.uk blackfestcreatives@gmail.com