Do you ever wonder how best to approach a call out, commission or residency opportunity? Not sure how to present your work and or ideas on applications or to arts organisations / galleries?

Join us for an in conversation with Axis Web and Open Eye Gallery to share their thoughts and experiences of applying for opportunities, whilst also sharing the support they offer for early career artists and more about their organisations. This talk will be a chance to hear from a small range of art organisations, to hear their top tips of how best to present your work and ideas and tackle opportunities.

Whilst the talk may have a visuals arts focus, the learnings are transferable to other artforms. The format of the session is a 40 min in conversation with a 20 min for Q + A. The workshop also includes 30 minutes of networking where you get the chance to meet other early career artists, ask questions and share experiences.

What To Expect From The Workshop

The waiting room will be open 5 minutes before the workshop starts, where we will admit people from 7pm. When you enter the Zoom, a music track of the artists choosing will be playing at medium volume, and will play for around 2 minutes or until most people have been admitted into the call. If you wish to mute sound until the start of the session you may do so, a que will be given in the chat saying when the music has been turned off and the workshop begins.

The artist will usually spend 40 - 50 minutes presenting, with a Q&A session followed afterwards. We often try to hold a 10 minute networking session through breakout rooms so that early career artists can meet one another. These timings are approximate and some parts may run over.

About Axis Web:

Axis web is an independent charity, they are committed to providing a platform to support artists and profile what they do. Through a determination to create the space artists need, their programme comprises a range of activities:

Reflecting the artists’ voice is integral to emerging developments in contemporary art, across assorted contexts. They present new aspects and forms of artistic expression to local, national and international audiences.

Supporting artists: insurance, networks, space, opportunities, R&D awards, profiling, advice, mentoring - enabling artists to be artists. Artists blur the boundaries and Axis Web adapt and change with their evolution, seeking to provide the best support that they can.

Their members influence and inform all of their activities and developments. By shifting from the gallery-led system of spectatorship to one that begins with the artist, Axis create the opportunity to support a more widely engaged and diverse community of artists, commissioners and audiences.

About Open Eye Gallery:

Open Eye are constantly rethinking what a gallery can be. They produce exhibitions, long-term collaborative projects, publications, festivals, and university courses — locally and worldwide. Open Eye proactively take risks to spark crucial conversations and enable creative expression.

Open Eye are taking a lead on socially engaged photography nationally. Bringing different voices, photographers and communities together, they establish projects where the collaborative process is just as important as the final product. As much as possible, their staff, space, online channels and networks are open and free for people to use. Their open processes and platforms make it easy to contribute to and co-author their programme.

Photography is a tremendously powerful way of bringing different cultures into conversation together. Open eye work with local residents and international partners to support representation, empathy, equality and inclusivity.

MNAN: Tips for approaching call outs, commissions & residencies