SEEKING EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST FROM ARTISTS – FACING THE PAST PROJECT - 22/04/21

What is the project? The Judges’ Lodgings Museum and the Priory Church in Lancaster are looking for four-six artists to work on a proposed new project about the Transatlantic Slave Trade. The project aims to reflect, reveal, and redress omissions in our collective memory of the role Lancaster played in the transatlantic slave trade and of the enslaved people who came through, or stayed in the city.

The slave trade made a number of Lancastrians very wealthy, and their family names are reflected in the city’s buildings, collections, institutions, streets and in the Priory churchyard itself, whilst the names and the stories of those enslaved remain largely unknown. We want artists to help bring our communities face to face with this part of our past, revealing the agency and actions of Black individuals in the past.

This Expression of Interest is for the First Phase of the project: for artists to deliver high-quality art workshops with school children and local people. It is hoped a later phase of the project will result in the commissioning of a new memorial artwork within the Priory Churchyard and significant new portraits of enslaved Africans in Lancaster.

Who is it? The Judges’ Lodgings Museum is an accredited museum run by Lancashire County Council. Lancaster Priory Church is a Grade 1 listed building with a hospitable, vibrant and forward-thinking community with worship at its heart.

What exactly? We are seeking up to six individual artists who are familiar with public engagement to lead artistic workshops with the local community and local schools. The artists could work in any genre or media but those whose practise includes portraiture and digital processes may be of particular interest. Each artist would deliver 2 days of workshops with two primary school classes at Judges’ Lodgings, including children with Special Educational Needs. These workshops would build on history workshops delivered in school by Lancaster Black History Group using a new Slave Trade resource pack. Two artists would lead two days of community art workshops at the Priory Church. All activity would be subject to Covid regulations and may need to be adapted to be delivered onsite at school/church or via zoom.

When? Community workshops would take place in July/August and school workshops in September/October. All schedules are subject to change.

What do you get out of? Project budget to include artist day rate approx. £250 per day (2-3 days of delivery per artist) plus materials budget.

Any other info? Please note that there is no current funding for this project. Artists will have their names included in the funding bid and work will only be commissioned once funding is secured.

Who is eligible? Artists must be able to deliver workshops in Lancaster. Travel expenses are not included in the budget. Artists must hold a current DBS check.

How do I apply? To express interest in this opportunity, please submit CV and/or portfolio with details of experience, exhibitions and images of work to lynda.jackson@lancashire.gov.uk or to discuss call 01524 581254

Deadline? 2^nd May 2021