Bluecoat and Castlefield Gallery are delighted to announce PIVOT: an 18 month development programme for mid-career artists living and working in North West England.
PIVOT is a new artist development scheme delivered in partnership by Bluecoat, Liverpool and Castlefield Gallery, Manchester. Both organisations share the vision that the North West of England is a place where artists are able to live and work whilst experiencing national and international success.
Five mid-career contemporary visual artists will be awarded a £5000 bursary and given access to a programme that supports their practice over an 18 month period.
PIVOT recognises that existing artist development support is dominated by early-career opportunities for UK artists. They are inviting artists who have over five years experience and demonstrate a strong track record in the field of contemporary visual art to apply.
The selection panel includes artists Simeon Barclay (Leeds) and Chara Lewis (Manchester) with curators from Bluecoat and Castlefield Gallery, and a representative from funder, Brian Mercer Trust.
The deadline for applications is 30 September 2020 at 12pm and five PIVOT artists will be appointed in early October 2020.
PIVOT will support the participating artists with bespoke strands, tailored to each individual’s needs, including specialist mentoring.
The artists will engage in a core development programme that includes 1-2-1s with the PIVOT team at Bluecoat and Castlefield Gallery, group crit and Creative Professional Development sessions, artist coaching, specialist communications advice and peer learning. .
The programme was first conceived before the COVID-19 outbreak and developed under lockdown; both organisations believe that it is more relevant than ever as PIVOT will be able to maintain, as well as develop careers. Conversations and exchange will initially take place on-line to adapt to the current times, with the idea that meeting together will become possible at a later date.
Enquiries to [email protected]
Guidance and information on applications can be downloaded here
Application forms can be downloaded here.