Had to let you know about the I-N-C-R-E-D-I-B-L-E opportunities that are being made available over the next year for any artists who experience significant barriers to the arts world – whether this is through health issues, social circumstance, or general isolation.
North West Hub for Artist Development
Venture Arts, Outside In and The Whitworth Art Gallery are excited to be working together to present the North West Hub for Artist Development, which aims to create and expand opportunities for artists across the North West who face barriers to participation in the arts world.
Untitled – Madge Gill (Myrninerest). Madge Gill is one of my all-time favourite artists and over a hundred of her pieces are included in the Musgrave Kinley collection that we’ll be able to explore with curators at the Whitworth.
As well as being able to dive in and explore the full wonderful Musgrave Kinley “Outsider Art” Collection at The Whitworth, this exciting new opportunity allows us to support visual artists to:
- Professionally photograph work
- Create an online gallery
- Develop a portfolio
- Exhibit
- Find artist residencies
- Apply for funding
- Work with museum and gallery collections
- Network and collaborate with like-minded creatives!
To get a bit more of an idea about what kind of opportunities there are, head over to Outside In’s website where you can see some of the fantastic exhibition and curatorial work that you can get involved in. If you are an artist who experiences significant barriers to participation in the arts world and you would like to sign up to be a North West Hub artist, you can sign up right away here.
Do get in touch if you’d prefer a printed version of the sign up form to be posted to you, or would like assistance filling it out over the phone or Zoom.
Online soft launch event
On Monday 30th May at 2pm, we are hosting a short online information session where we will introduce ourselves and the project and answer any questions you might have.
If you’d like to attend, please sign up here.
Speaking at our launch will be:
- Amanda Sutton (she/her), Director at Venture Arts.
- Marc Steene (he/him), Director at Outside In.
- Beth Hopkins (she/her), Ambassador Coordinator at Outside In.
- Kate Davey (she/her), Training Programme Manager.
- Ellie Page (she/they), North West Hub Manager.
Online Artist Support Days
You can finds links to book in for artist support days here: https://www.bio.link/nwhub
Tuesday 31st May, 11am – 5pm
Tuesday 21st June, 11am – 7pm
Thursday 7th July, 11am – 7pm
These North West Hub Artist Support Days will be taking place online, run by Ellie Page, the North West Hub Manager. There are one-hour bookable slots.
In these sessions, we can talk about your practice and sign you up to the Hub, as well as offer bespoke support to create or improve your own online gallery including writing an artist statement, photographing your artwork and adding searchable tags to help people find them. At the end of the session you will have your own online gallery with website link showcasing your artwork.
To book a slot please email ellie@venturearts.org or text 07539 371 070 with your preferred date and time.
In Person Artist Support Days
Wednesday 13th July, 11am – 7pm at The Yard
41 Old Birley Street, Hulme, Manchester, M15 5AR.
This North West Hub Artist Support Day will be taking place at The Yard Theatre in Hulme, run by Ellie Page, the North West Hub Manager. There are also one-hour bookable slots. These sessions will cover the same as the online sessions and at the end you will have your own online gallery with website link showcasing your artwork.
Accessibility
The Yard Theatre is a large, wheelchair-accessible, ground floor space located in Hulme, Manchester. Clear access and travel information will be provided once you’ve booked in. Please let Ellie know if you have any access requirements for the session or if you have any questions about attending.
Wednesday 20th July 10am-5pm at The Whitworth
This North West Hub Artist Support Day will be taking place upstairs at The Whitworth in the School of Creativity space. It will cover the same as the online sessions and at the end you will have your own online gallery with website link showcasing your artwork.
To book a slot please email ellie@venturearts.org or text 07539 371 070 with your preferred date and time.
Accessibility
The Whitworth Gallery is located on Oxford Road, and has a wheelchair accessible front entrance as well as lift to the School of Creativity area. On arrival, someone will be available to show you where to go, and once booked in, Ellie can send you more access and travel information. Please let Ellie know if you have any access requirements for the session or if you have any questions about attending.
Artist Residencies
As well as launching the North West Hub, we are offering 10 bespoke residencies for learning disabled or neurodivergent artists from across the region! If this sounds like something you or someone you work with might be interested in, please get in touch with Ellie at ellie@venturearts.org or by text at 07539 371 070.
We’ve also got an online soft launch/information session on Monday 30th May 2pm which you can sign up to attend here: https://forms.office.com/r/XPWv3az5Na
