The Brownsword Gallery, University of Bath

Artist Call Out

New opportunity for artists

The Holburne Museum is seeking applicants to participate in a new experimental, open submission arts programme. Artists can be at any stage of their career and are invited to apply to use The Andrew Brownsword Gallery at the University of Bath to make and/or present their work, finished, unfinished or in progress.

The Museum understands the scarcity of exhibition opportunities in the South West of England as well as the need for artists to have space to experiment and to experience their work outside of the studio in a public, but safe and constructive context. In response to these needs we are offering up to four exhibition opportunities between February and May 2022. They will be offered in two slots with two artists working in the space at the same time.

The Gallery will act as a space between an ‘open studio’ and a traditional exhibition, with artists encouraged to continue producing work while the exhibition is open. Members of the public will be able to visit during opening hours while the artists are working.

Artists can work in any medium and no previous exhibiting experience is necessary, support and feedback from curatorial staff will be available throughout. Projects that draw on the experimental nature of the scheme and where a discernible benefit to their practice can be identified will be prioritised. The selected artists are encouraged to the use the gallery space as an extension of the studio, completing or continuing work on the artworks that are being exhibited.

Selected exhibitors will receive £1,250 to cover their labour, transport, and any material costs. Each artist will be expected to be present in the gallery with their work, or to arrange other cover, for a minimum of four days a week, Wednesday to Saturday. Each artist may be required to take part in public programming.

To apply please submit a brief outline of your activities, what you would hope to exhibit, and how participation in this scheme would benefit your practice. The application should not exceed 500 words, however if you would rather submit via recorded video or any alternative means we are open to this. Please submit up to five images of work with your application. As part of your application please indicate which of the two exhibition slots you would prefer to be considered for.

Applicants from underrepresented groups and diverse backgrounds are actively encouraged.
Applications should be sent as a pdf to media@holburne.org. If you have questions about the application, please contact the same address.

Further details are available in the terms and conditions (below).
Deadline for applications is 9am Monday 13 December.

Terms and Conditions

  1. The project will run from Friday February 4 to Saturday 23 April 2022. This will be split into two five-week exhibition ‘slots’, please specify a preferred slot in your application. However, The Holburne Museum does not guarantee that, if successful, you will be given your preferred slot.
    1. Slot one: Friday February 4 to Saturday March 12 2022.
    2. Slot two: Friday March 25 to Saturday April 23 2022.
  2. Each pair of artists must commit to the gallery being open between 11am and 4pm each Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. This time can be shared between the selected pairs.
  3. While in the gallery each exhibiting artists should engage, where appropriate, with visitors.
  4. Selected artists will be responsible for the installation and deinstallation of their work.
    1. Installation for slot one: week beginning Monday 31 January 2022.
    2. Deinstallation for slot one: wb Monday 14 March.
    3. Installation for slot two: wb Monday 21 March 2022
    4. Deinstallation for slot two: wb Monday 25 April.
  5. Artists can work across media while resident, however necessary precautions should be undertaken when using certain materials to ensure the Andrew Brownsword Gallery is left in the same condition as when each artist arrived.
  6. The Holburne will provide communications for each installation, including social media in line with current Museum policies.
  7. Lighting and exhibition signage will remain consistent throughout the programme and will be set by the Museum.
  8. No artwork, materials, or other items may be left in the gallery after the deinstallation of an exhibition.
The Holburne Museum