We're looking for an artist who can connect our visitors with the artworks, most of which are paintings, in new ways and potentially link the sites where we are displaying them. This can cover the telling of new stories, exploring hidden or overlooked histories, diverse and marginalised heritage, engaging new and existing audiences in responding to the Collection through creative visual methods as well as linking to some of the themes the venues are exploring. Responses to the Collection can be in any media including the spoken word, dance, film, textile as well as fine art. We envisage that the artist or collaborators will be based at one venue for most of the residency but also willing to spend dedicated time at the other four venues and are required to lead at least two workshops. We understand that the artist will wish to visit all venues to spend time with the works and then may want to spend a proportion of the time allocated in their own studio / space, making work. The opportunity is open to artists working across the UK however, knowledge and/or experience of working within Bradford and/or the wider Yorkshire region would be an advantage. We are looking for someone with community experience to engage local communities with our artworks. There can be further discussion of this at interview. We expect the artist to be available for the duration of the exhibition, which is 6 weeks however, orientation with the venues before w/c 1st September and attendance at a briefing in August with volunteers and stewards on the logistics of the exhibition would be desirable. The artist will be supported during the residency by the Faith & Arts Development Lead for this project, and the Chair of the Methodist Modern Art Collection. The overall exhibition held across the five venues will open across w/c 1st September 2025 and run until Sunday 12th October 2025. There is potential for the artist's and workshop participants' work to be displayed for a further few weeks. We're keen to hear from shortlisted applicants about their ideas for the display of initial early work e.g. drawings, studies etc. and see a display of the progression of work over the course of the residency but we'd be happy to explore options and have further discussion at interview stage. It would be wonderful to exhibit final works at all venues for a time towards the end and beyond the defined exhibition period. This is subject to further discussion and consideration of constraints at the individual venues. The MMAC may consider the acquisition of work(s) produced - depending on the artist and the nature of the final work. Copyright and ownership of any final commissioned artistic outputs will be agreed with all parties involved. How to apply The Yorkshire West Methodist District, together with the Management Committee of the Methodist Modern Art Collection is inviting responses to this brief and remains open to ideas from all artists across all media. Your proposal should be no more than two sides of A4, briefly outlining your practice and how you feel it relates to MMAC Bradford 2025. It would help us understand what it is about the Collection that interests you. Please also include an outline of your idea for creative activity during the residency and how you propose to develop the work through the residency. This does not have to be too detailed at this stage, but please keep descriptions succinct and in clear and accessible language. We're interested to hear how you will work with visitors and local community groups, and what you would like them and yourself to get out of this. Please include the following in your application:Job Summary
Job Description
Job Requirements
Job Responsibilities
Useful Links
How to Apply
1. Your contact details (name, phone number, address, email).
2. Tell us about your connections and commitment to Bradford and the City of Culture 2025.
3. An example of your work (weblink or an attachment).
4. A brief project timeline.
5. An indicative budget for how you will spend the budget.
5. Any access needs you may have and costs relating to this.
6. Any other support you need from us where relevant.
The contact details of two references, at least one professional (e.g. an organisation you have worked with before / in the last 2 years). These can be on a separate page to your core application.
Please send your application by email to Verity Smith, Faith & Arts Development Lead, at [email protected] by Friday 7th March 2025 at 5pm.
For a list of venues and the artworks to be displayed during the exhibition, and for any queries, please email Verity Smith.