The Exchange 2

[Image credit:
Women In Net In Field, 2021
#APMKExchange
Image courtesy of Mani Kambo and Annabel Pettigrew]

THE EXCHANGE is an evolving project bringing together artists from across the UK, pairing peers from different networks and opening up space for new creative conversations.

Becoming part of The Exchange is an opportunity to begin a new creative exchange with an artist outside of your network, supported by a series of hosted events; developing new relationships and friendships between artists that wouldn’t otherwise be able to connect. This open-ended process has no limits or boundaries but is simply framed by the invitation to begin a discussion. There is no formal requirement to collaborate or generate an outcome and participants will be able to communicate however they wish, at a frequency to suit the pairing.

The Exchange 2 builds upon the 2021 iteration of the project where 60 artists across the UK were paired together with the simple invitation to begin a conversation. The artist pairs valued the connection to another peer to think alongside and support one another. Although there was no anticipation of a formal outcome artists did make together resulting in video collages, animation, sacred knotting installations and performances. The variety of responses, levels of connection, outcomes and conversations was vast and far-reaching with some artists connecting for a short time and others who will continue to talk and collaborate long into the future. The Exchange is an opportunity to make a connection that may become something more. Take a look at the first iteration HERE.

Eastside Projects (EOP), CAMP, Castlefield Gallery (Associates), The NewBridge Project, Primary, Spike Island (Spike Island Associates), and Turf Projects will each select 8 artists from their network to take part in the project through this open call. In total 56 artists will participate.

Over the nine months, a series of networking events and artist-led activities for The Exchange artists will be hosted online with the partner organisations, with the aim of supporting artists, building networks and making further connections. As an optional part of the application process artists can propose an event they would like to share with the wider cohort. Each artist-led event has an available budget of £250 and the support of a host organisation. At the end of the nine months, we will host a summit which will be a public opportunity to share experiences, stories and, if appropriate, outcomes. Attendance for events is voluntary – but we expect you to attend at least two. You will need to be self-motivated to organise conversations with your partner, and willing to put some time aside to regularly exchange.

The Programme Dates

Most events will be online and all events will be responsive to COVID guidance

• 22 November 2021: Deadline for applications
• Early January 2021: Artist pairs are introduced
• 10 February, 2–4pm: A big welcome to the project through an informal and fun ‘getting to know you’ event, hosted by Eastside Projects
• 3 March, 7–8.30pm: Social networking event hosted by The NewBridge Project
• 1 April, 7–8.30pm: An Exchange artist led event, hosted with Turf Projects
• 29 April, 2–4pm: An Exchange artist led event, hosted with Castlefield
• 10 June, 7–8.30pm: An Exchange artist led event, hosted with CAMP
• 5 August, 7–8.30pm: An Exchange artist led event, hosted with Spike Island
• 15 September, 2–5pm: The Exchange Summit, a public sharing event held at Primary, co-hosted with the project partners.

How to Apply

Applications are open to Turf Studio members, Collective members, and Volunteers.

Application writing is unpaid labour and we want to keep this process to a minimum. As such, we are asking for the following, and no more. Applications can be written, or an audio / video submission. If applying via audio/video please host externally (eg. Vimeo) and copy the link into your application.

• An expression of interest (about 200 words / 2-minute audio or video submission) outlining why you would like to be involved, and what you hope to gain from the experience.
• 10 keywords that identify the key interests and areas of exploration within your proposal (these will form part of the pairing process).
• Complete these two sentences:
  – What I need from a partner is…..
  – What I can give a partner is…..
• Would you like to organise an event as part of The Exchange? If so what would it be? Each event has up to £250 available. (Only answer this question if you want to organise an event) (about 200 words / 2-minute audio or video submission)
• Please think about your availability for communicating with your partner, can you talk mostly in the day / at night / set times / sporadically. Please choose: Day Bird / Night Owl / Sporadic
• A link to your website or profile (this might be a social media link, or a link to a Vimeo for example).
• Your contact details (email / phone)

By applying to The Exchange you opt into your email being shared for communication purposes across organisations. Your email will only be used for contacting you about The Exchange, and your contact details will be held securely.

To apply, please send an email containing answers to all 8 of these questions to holly@turf-projects.com, by 10am Monday 22nd November 2021.

Additional notes:
– If you are a member/associate of more than one project partner, please only apply through one
– Turf studio members, collective members, and volunteers who have taken part in The Exchange (1) are welcome to apply, but should note that we will be prioritising applications from those who have not taken part in the programme previously.