Call for artists
Artist Commission
Double Elephant Print Workshop is seeking an artist or collective to creatively responds to the history of Exeter’s papermills.
Double Elephant is looking for an artist’s interpretation and response to one (or more) of the themes that have been brought to light from the research gathered during our current Heritage Lottery funded project, Paper & Print. While the commission includes free access to Double Elephant’s studios with support from our printmaking technicians, the artwork does not have to be confined to printmaking.
Further information about what the fee is expected to cover is provided on the opportunity details on our website.
How we will support you
• You will have full access to the research archive compiled by the project’s volunteer researchers about Exeter’s papermaking heritage. The research has been divided into the following themes – mapping the mills, process and production, the papermaking landscape, global histories and papermaking, and the environmental impact of papermaking.
Our volunteer researchers have uncovered a number of fascinating stories to date, whether that be the roles of ragpickers in the paper industry, the experience of women and children in Exeter’s paper mills, or the global reach of local papermakers beyond the city. The project has also run a number of guided visits to the sites of former mills around Exeter, reflecting upon the past and present of the city’s paper industry and how we might creatively remember it today. The project’s blog [https://www.doubleelephant.org.uk/paper-and-print-research-blog] may help to give you a sense of some of the ongoing research and activities being undertaken by the group.
• We can arrange access to the archives at Exeter Cathedral, the Devon & Exeter Institution and Devon Heritage Centre.
• If you are not a competent printmaker and would like to use print in your work, we can organise one day’s tuition or support to introduce you a printmaking process.
• Double Elephant will provide supported access to our print workshop each Wednesday during the commission period between 10am – 4pm (we can schedule another day/time if this is not convenient).
• Alternatively, if you are a competent printmaker and following a studio induction, you can use the print studio independently with free membership for the duration of the commission.
• We can loan you a portable press and equipment for the commission period if working in our studio is not possible or you would prefer to create your work elsewhere.
• The commission includes free access to one of Double Elephant’s courses between August – December 2024.
APPLY
First stage: Expression of Interest
• Put together a maximum two-page expression of interest including an artist statement and explaining why you are interested in this opportunity.
• Compile a portfolio of previous work with relevant links – including social media pages. Please ensure your portfolio is shared as a PDF document and is no more than 5MB in size.
• Submit the expression of interest and portfolio by email to emma@doubleelephant.org.uk by noon Mon 12 August 2024.
If there is another method that you would prefer to use to apply due to your access requirements, please let us know.
Second stage: Shortlisted artists meet with the panel
Three shortlisted artists will be invited to discuss their ideas with the panel (either remotely via Zoom or in person at Double Elephant).
Shortlisted artists can invoice for £250 to work on their proposal and up to £50 for travel costs if attending in person
TIMELINE
- Artists interested in the commission submit an EOI with artist statement and portfolio by noon 12 August 2024.
- Selection panel shortlists three artists, who are invited by email to produce a proposal for the commission - Aug/ Sept
- Shortlisted artists present and discuss their proposals with the panel - Sept
- Selected artist begins the new commission - Oct to Dec
- Exhibition takes place during January – February 2025
(further information on potential locations on our website)
Further information about what the fee is expected to cover is provided on the opportunity details on our website.
How we will support you
• You will have full access to the research archive compiled by the project’s volunteer researchers about Exeter’s papermaking heritage. The research has been divided into the following themes – mapping the mills, process and production, the papermaking landscape, global histories and papermaking, and the environmental impact of papermaking.
Our volunteer researchers have uncovered a number of fascinating stories to date, whether that be the roles of ragpickers in the paper industry, the experience of women and children in Exeter’s paper mills, or the global reach of local papermakers beyond the city. The project has also run a number of guided visits to the sites of former mills around Exeter, reflecting upon the past and present of the city’s paper industry and how we might creatively remember it today. The project’s blog [https://www.doubleelephant.org.uk/paper-and-print-research-blog] may help to give you a sense of some of the ongoing research and activities being undertaken by the group.
• We can arrange access to the archives at Exeter Cathedral, the Devon & Exeter Institution and Devon Heritage Centre.
• If you are not a competent printmaker and would like to use print in your work, we can organise one day’s tuition or support to introduce you a printmaking process.
• Double Elephant will provide supported access to our print workshop each Wednesday during the commission period between 10am – 4pm (we can schedule another day/time if this is not convenient).
• Alternatively, if you are a competent printmaker and following a studio induction, you can use the print studio independently with free membership for the duration of the commission.
• We can loan you a portable press and equipment for the commission period if working in our studio is not possible or you would prefer to create your work elsewhere.
• The commission includes free access to one of Double Elephant’s courses between August – December 2024.
APPLY
First stage: Expression of Interest
• Put together a maximum two-page expression of interest including an artist statement and explaining why you are interested in this opportunity.
• Compile a portfolio of previous work with relevant links – including social media pages. Please ensure your portfolio is shared as a PDF document and is no more than 5MB in size.
• Submit the expression of interest and portfolio by email to emma@doubleelephant.org.uk by noon Mon 12 August 2024.
If there is another method that you would prefer to use to apply due to your access requirements, please let us know.
Second stage: Shortlisted artists meet with the panel
Three shortlisted artists will be invited to discuss their ideas with the panel (either remotely via Zoom or in person at Double Elephant).
Shortlisted artists can invoice for £250 to work on their proposal and up to £50 for travel costs if attending in person
TIMELINE
- Artists interested in the commission submit an EOI with artist statement and portfolio by noon 12 August 2024.
- Selection panel shortlists three artists, who are invited by email to produce a proposal for the commission - Aug/ Sept
- Shortlisted artists present and discuss their proposals with the panel - Sept
- Selected artist begins the new commission - Oct to Dec
- Exhibition takes place during January – February 2025
(further information on potential locations on our website)
