Uncertain Futures

 

‘Uncertain Futures’ residency programme invites proposals from emerging artists based in Scotland to respond to the uncertainty of our current state, for example the cost of living crisis, climate emergency and the Covid-19 pandemic, though artists are free to interpret in other ways. These residencies aim to comment on our collective future as we move through unsettling times while offering artists space to process and create. ’Uncertain Futures’ title touches upon the current vulnerabilities in our society at present, particularly for artists. The purpose of these residencies is to allow artists to comment on our shared future as we face significant changes and to provide them with a supportive environment to cultivate their artistic expression.

 

Another important reflection for this residency programme will be the selected artists’ aim to consider the sustainability of their practice. Artists will be encouraged to examine social and environmental issues within their practice in light of the climate and ecological crisis, material use and how their future professional work will cause impacts as they design and build. Forging sustainable relationships with local organisations that can support their practice for future projects will also be a priority. 

 

Sustainable creative practice and productivity during a cost of living crisis can seem insurmountable but by catalysing a familiarity with artists around them and making local facilities more approachable, Saltspace can help lessen this obstacle by offering financial support, connections, professional development, community and space, allowing more freedom to experiment creatively, to be ambitious and to take risks during our current state where unprecedented barriers exist.

 

Collaborators:

 

‘Uncertain Futures’ residency programme offers a series of four, six-week multidisciplinary residencies. Each residency will be focused on developing new skills, collaborating with a specific local organisation specialising in different areas of visual art;

 

Print Clan - Printmaking Residency

PrintClan is an inclusive screen printing studio that nurtures creativity in people at any ability. They accommodate social, design and fine art based projects by offering access to screen printing resources and training.

 

Glasgow Ceramics Studio - Ceramics Residency

Glasgow Ceramics Studio was established in 1995 by six graduates of The Glasgow School of Art. It is recognised as the most well equipped ceramics studio in Scotland. Its facilities include a specific kiln room with a range of kilns and other facilities. 

 

Street Level Photoworks - Photography Residency 

Street Level PhotoWorks is a leading photography arts organisation that provides artists and the public with a range of opportunities to make and engage with photography, providing a high quality artistic programme in the city of Glasgow that is challenging and accessible, local and international, diverse and highly individual.

 

GalGael - Woodwork Residency 

GalGael is a community organisation based in Glasgow. Basic woodwork is the mainstay of their work, and they work around the ethos that craft generates skills, agency, and community. They offer many opportunities, including basic woodwork, community garden, and a weekly open studio, where anyone can come along for a hot meal and a space to work. 

 

Residents will receive:

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• 8 hours of specific skill based training per artist through access and development of skills from their proposed medium and assigned local organisation.

• Studio space in our SaltSpace studios in Dornoch Street, providing 24 hour access for six weeks of your residency.

• Artist's fee of £1,000 per artist for the six week period with the additional opportunity to apply for £300 travel/accommodation bursary for artists out-with the Glasgow area and/or on universal credit.

• Session with Sustainability Coordinator John Thorne from Glasgow School of Art, who will discuss ways to improve the sustainability in your practice.

• Cumulative group exhibition encompassing work from all four residencies at SaltSpace gallery, with accompanying commissioned publication featuring a variety of submissions from fellow SaltSpace members' drawings, poetry, essays, etc. also responding to the title ‘Uncertain Futures’.

 

Timeline:

 

2023

• 18th June: Deadline for proposals

• 4th July: Notification date for applicants

• July: Sustainable practice talk by John Thorne via zoom with all residents

• 14th August - 24th September: Woodwork x GalGael residency

• 25th September - 5th November: Print x Print Clan residency

• 6th November -  18th December: Photography x Street Level Photoworks residency

2024​

• 8th January - 18th February: Ceramics x Glasgow Ceramics Studio residency

• 15th March - Exhibition opening with talk from John Thorne. Exhibition open 16th - 24th March

 

These dates have been agreed with the above organisations and cannot be changed, selected artists must be available for the above dates if selected for residency.

 

Fees:

 

The artist fee of £1000 will be paid to the artist in three installments during their six week residency:

• £500 upfront

• £400 2nd week

• £100 4th week

 

Who can apply?

 

We are looking for emerging artists based in Scotland who are looking to learn new skills and develop their practice in innovative ways. You may have faced barriers accessing finances, facilities and struggled to get involved in a community. We particularly welcome applications from those with disabilities, from black, Asian or ethnic minority communities, LGBTQIA+ and those who have been socially and economically disadvantaged by their circumstances and upbringing. 

 

No formal art education is required, we just require examples of your previous work with your submission form.

 

Please note: Unfortunately we cannot accept proposals from artists in full-time education 2023/24. You can however apply if you will have finished your education by the time your residency takes place.

 

Apply

 

To submit a proposal you will have to become a member below to receive the submission form. There is an option to submit a video as an alternative to written format on our submission form. If you require additional support or alternative ways to submit please email us for more information saltspacecoop@gmail.com.