Becoming British-
Artist Call Out
Becoming British Project
Becoming British is a performative exhibition that seeks to interrogate processes of ‘Becoming’ and help audiences explore their own experience of nationality. Centering the voices of migrant artists and community members it will educate, entertain and inform.
About the Artist
Becoming British is led by Lora Krasteva - a Bulgarian artist based in Sheffield. Her lived experience of migration in 6 different countries and her recent insights from applying for British citizenship, is what led her to this project.
Lora is part of Global Voices Theatre, a theatre company dedicated to introducing international theatre by historically excluded creatives in the UK. She creates devised, socially engaged theatre with professionals and community members alike and works with Arts & Homelessness International to advocate for a place for creativity in homelessness provision. Lora is a steering group member of What Next? and a founding member of Migrants in Theatre, the movement advocating for a better representation of 1st generation immigrants both on and off stage.
Becoming British Exhibition
The exhibition seeks to interrogate processes of ‘Becoming’ and help audiences explore their own experience of nationality
It will open up dialogue between artists and audience, migrants and natives, British or not - all through the creative arts.
These 4 commissions will sit alongside work created by Lora, work created by local community groups and will be toured in the future. If selected you & Lora will work closely on the creative vision & execution of the final work(s).
Documenting the process of making the work and sharing approaches & findings through our partners will be a part of both the commission and exhibition.
Who we are looking for:
We are looking for 4 artists across a range of disciplines and art forms to collaborate on Becoming British. We want the artists to be individuals with an experience of migration, and ideally are first generation in the UK.You might be a full time artist, or might not be an established practitioner - we accept applications from anyone with a creative idea
At least one of the selected artists will be based or have a relationship to Sheffield/Yorkshire
The commissions we have available are:
1 for creating a series of portraits creatively documenting first generation immigrant lives in the UK
1 for creating an audio/sound piece in response to research
1 is a free form response to the topic of nation building/national identity / Britishness / the process of “becoming” / the hostile environment - this can be pre-existing work.
1 to respond to the Life In The UK quiz book (either as inspiration, a starting point or material) - this can be pre-existing work.
What we offer:
£1500 fee
£500 material budget towards the final artwork
Return travel & accommodation to Sheffield as necessary
The fee & materials budget is all inclusive, Becoming British project will cover marketing and signage for the exhibition. The project has additional budget for individual access costs, these will be discussed with applicants.
Please note: The fee & materials budget is all inclusive including VAT
How will the decision be made?
There will be a shortlisting process by a collective of artists from a range of disciplines, and a small group invited to interview. We will let people know if they are being interviewed by Mon 03 February. Interviews will take place online w/c 14 February
We will offer feedback to any rejected application that requests it - it shall be provided within 30 days of the request being made.
Timeline:
Deadline for callout: Thursday 20 January 8pm
Notification of shortlist: Monday 07 February
Interviews: W/C 14 February (online)
Notification of selection: Friday 24 February
Exhibition dates: TBC June 2022. This will be discussed in the interview.
​
How to apply:
Complete this form by Thursday 20 January 8pm
You can either answer in writing, or by uploading an audio/video file no bigger than 1GB
Questions?