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Somerset House Studios

OPEN CALL: AMPLIFY Digital Arts Initiative 20/21


22 Jan 2020

The British Council, MUTEK and Somerset House Studios launch the open call for AMPLIFY DAI 2020. For women identified practitioners working in the digital arts, VR, AR, immersive storytelling and electronic music in Argentina, Canada, and UK.

AMPLIFY Digital Arts Initiative is an initiative developed by the British Council in partnership with MUTEK (Canada/Argentina) and Somerset House Studios (UK) creating international visibility in the industry for women-identified artists and curators. The programme offers networking opportunities, showcases, exhibitions and performances, residencies, workshops, creative labs and field trips. Since 2018, the platform has connected an active network in Argentina, Canada, Mexico, Venezuela, Peru and the UK.

THE OPPORTUNITY

This opportunity is open to women identified artists (aged 18 and above) who currently live in the UK, Canada and Argentina, whether they are citizens or permanent residents.

We are looking for proposals that explore new aesthetic directions in digital creation which can include:

  • Live presentations of experimental electronic music (DJ sets will not be accepted, only original artists' productions)
  • Live audio-visual presentations that include an innovative use of digital image and sound, in which the auditory and visual are a unique entity
  • Interactive and audio-visual installations
  • Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality projects
  • Project that defies the conventions of the digital creation sphere

Selected artists will:

  • Participation in the UK Amplify residency in London at Somerset House Studios
  • Participating artists will receive an artist fee, travel and accommodation
  • Participants are expected to be available for the full duration of residencies
  • Some candidates will be offered the possibility to participate in MUTEK Montreal and MUTEK.AR (Buenos Aires). Travel and accommodation will be provided.


TIMELINE

  • Deadline for application: 16 February (23.59 GMT)
  • Evaluation panel meeting: February 2020
  • Contact with the selected participants: March 2020
  • Public announcement: March/April 2020


SELECTION

Applications will be reviewed by a panel including curators of the international MUTEK network together with representatives of the British Council and Somerset House Studios.

APPLICATION

Please complete an online form with all the required information. Apply here.

Please consider the eligibility criteria and the content requested carefully before applying, making sure to follow the guidelines above.

For questions or concerns about this open call, contact Emma Boulton (British Council) by sending an email with the subject "Call 2020-Amplify" to: emma.boulton@britishcouncil.org

Due to the volume of submissions, artists will only be contacted if they are being considered for the AMPLIFY DAI programme. We would like to thank all candidates in advance for their interest.

We are committed to equal opportunities and to reflect diversity in our programming and at every level within our organisations. This initiative is part of our wider strategy to support the participation of women-identified artists and curators to increase gender equality in the digital arts sector.

ABOUT US

THE BRITISH COUNCIL

The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. We create friendly knowledge and understanding between the people of the UK and other countries. We do this by making a positive contribution to the UK and the countries we work with – changing lives by creating opportunities, building connections and engendering trust.

https://www.britishcouncil.org/

MUTEK

In 2018 MUTEK Montréal achieved gender parity in its program for the first time. Building on this accomplishment the festival remains committed to opening space for women, non-binary and diverse artists—providing opportunities for performance, exhibition, career building, workshops and networking. A not-for-profit organization dedicated to the dissemination and development of digital creativity in sound, music, and audiovisual art since its first edition in 2000, the festival has distinguished itself as an international rendezvous. Over the years, MUTEK has expanded to include recurrent editions in Mexico City, Buenos Aires, Barcelona, Tokyo, Dubai and San Francisco.

http://www.mutek.org/en/

SOMERSET HOUSE STUDIOS

Somerset House Studios is an experimental workspace in the centre of London connecting artists, makers and thinkers with audiences. Located inside the repurposed former Inland Revenue building, the Studios offer space and support to artists pushing bold ideas, engaging with urgent issues and pioneering new technologies. It is also a platform for the development of new creative projects and collaborations. Up to 100 artists are resident at any one time and are supported to develop their practice for a defined period.  The Studios is also home to Makerversity, a community of 300+ professional makers and Studio 48, a shared workspace for individuals and groups working critically at the intersection of design and technology. 

https://www.somersethouse.org.uk/

Image: META by CLON x NWRMNTC at Mutek.ar