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September 27, 2006

Independent Photography

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Artist's Commission, Woolwich

Independent Photography is looking for an artist working with film or digital media to undertake a participatory arts project involving a range of residents from the Walpole Estate in Woolwich. The project aims to engage and bring together estate residents of different generations and diverse cultural backgrounds to explore a sense of place and questions of belonging. Seeking to elicit perceptions of individual and community identity from a variety of perspectives, the brief is open as to whether the commissioned artist will work with a group of residents on an integrated project or with individual residents on discreet activities which come together in the commission's conclusion.

This artist's commission is for new work that can address and explore the following aims: - inspire and intrigue through the use of contemporary media arts and socially engaged practice - activate a level of participation from the diversity of communities on the estate - explore issues relevant to these communities regarding the estate on which they live and how the proposed regeneration of Woolwich town centre will affect them - investigate these issues within personal as well as wider social, environmental, and cultural contexts

We are offering a £4,500 commission for a socially engaged project that explores the above aims and can be undertaken over the period October 2006 - January 2007, culminating in some form of outcome, whether event, exhibition, and/or distributed products.

The project is managed by Independent Photography and funded by the SRB6 Health Benefits Programme.

Artist profile: The commission seeks an artist experienced in engaging with members of the public and the complexities that this involves. Independent Photography is keen to develop contemporary participative and public art practice, through the use of visual, audio, or audiovisual media.

The commission seeks to offer an investigative and engaging opportunity to an artist working in site specific practice. Work that allows meaningful participation by members of the community is central to its aims, as is the opportunity for innovative approaches to this challenge. Location Walpole Estate is situated in the Woolwich Common Ward of the London Borough of Greenwich. It is one of four council estates in this culturally diverse Ward, south of Woolwich town centre and adjacent to Woolwich Common, where the high proportion of BME residents includes significant Indian, West African and Somali communities.

The area suffers from multiple deprivation including high unemployment, low incomes, higher than average numbers of single parent families, low educational attainments and higher than average crime rates. Using the Government's measure of deprivation, the Index of Deprivation 2004, Greenwich is the 41st most deprived borough in England and Wales and the Woolwich Common Ward has areas in the 10% most deprived in England.

The Estate is privately managed by the Walpole Estate Management Board, and as well as a Youth Club there are a number of community organisations based on the estate including a crèche and a Somali teaching project, both of which include members from beyond the estate itself.

Woolwich is undergoing significant regeneration, which will have a dramatic effect on the town centre and its transport links, as well as on housing provision. The DLR will open in Woolwich in 2009, providing a link to London City Airport, and a new rapid transit linking Woolwich with Abbey Wood, North Greenwich and Greenwich town centre will be in operation by 2008. Plans for the Woolwich town centre include 2 major supermarkets, 250,000 sq foot of retail and over 1,000 new homes. The Council has agreed to remodel three estates which comprise over 1000 council homes in the area as part of its decent homes strategy, and if current plans go ahead, Walpole Estate will be the only housing estate left in the Woolwich Common Ward.

Project Management: The overall management of the commission is the responsibility of Independent Photography's Artistic Director, Isabel Lilly. The co-ordination and day-to-day running of the project will be conducted by Rohini Malik Okon, Project Co-ordinator, who will be the artist's point of contact and support throughout the commission.

Budget: This commission offers a budget of £4,500. Please provide a budget proposal as part of your application. The budget should cover artist's fee, materials/additional equipment, and final event/exhibition costs including marketing. IP will provide full administrative and marketing support to the project.

Timescale: The commission is intended to take place between October 2006 and January 2007.

Artists are invited to submit a timescale as part of their proposal, which should include: an initial period of research to get to know the area and its residents; time for the delivery of the project with participants; and post production time to deliver the finished outcome. Copyright Copyright of any work produced as part of the commission will be the property of the Artist. The Artist would grant IP the right to reproduce any work created during the Commission as necessary by photography, lithography, print film, videotape, CD, mini disc, DAT, or audio cassette for publicity or promotional purposes connected with the Commission.

Application Procedure: Artists are invited to submit the following as an application for the above.

commission:

1. Commission proposal, to include:
- Conceptual approach
- Project Description
- Detail of community participation / engagement
- Budget outline
- Timescale
- Potential outcome(s)

2. Current CV

3. Samples of recent work
(These can be printed material, audio, video, digital media, URL's)

Application deadline: 5pm, Monday 2nd October

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to interview at IP on: Friday 6th October

Please send application either by email or by post to:

Isabel Lilly / Rohini Malik Okon
Independent Photography
Rothbury Hall
Azof Street
London SE10 0EF

isabel[at]independentphotography.org.uk
rohini[at]independentphotography.org.uk

Rohini Malik Okon
Project & Events Co-ordinator
Independent Photography

Rothbury Hall, Azof Street, London SE10 0EF
T: 020 8858 2825 F: 020 8858 2025

Posted by jo at September 27, 2006 06:37 PM

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