OPEN CALL – The Collective Studio 2020-21

The Collective Studio is a development programme for early-career artists and/or recent graduate artists and creative practitioners.

Are you working out what you want to do next? Do you know what you want to do and need support and guidance? The Collective Studio provides spaces to test out ideas and experiment within a supportive and critically engaged community at The NewBridge Project.

The Collective Studio provides affordable studios and workspace, and a programme of training, events, mentoring, socials and opportunities to exhibit work, which will suit a diverse range of practices and are tailored around the cohort.

The Collective Studio has a very broad definition of art and artistic practice. Perhaps you’ve just left university or finished a masters? Perhaps you haven’t been to university, but are searching for like minds? Maybe you are returning to a creative endeavour after life got in the way for a while?

The Collective Studio has a flexible approach and evolves year on year. The structure and content of the programme is shaped by and for its members with support from The NewBridge Project’s Artist Development Programmer and other staff. It is set against the rich backdrop 
of our evolving public programme, which explores big topics like climate change and methods for collective solidarity that can help us imagine and live new futures.

It is run by The NewBridge Project in partnership with Newcastle University & its Institute for Creative Arts Practice.

We have a number of different ways to apply for The Collective Studio

• Through a single PDF document containing the information below
• Through a video or sound file containing the information below
• Or if there is another way you wish to apply then get in touch and let us know

Please send one PDF document containing 
the following to applications@thenewbridgeproject.com with ‘YOUR NAME_The Collective Studio Application’ in the subject line:

1. Statement (max. half page of A4 / 2-3 minutes via video or audio). This is the most important part of the application, and the following prompts will help you to complete your statement:
   • Put your name at the top of your statement
   • Why 
would like to be part of The Collective Studio 2020-21 at The NewBridge Project and what you hope to get out of it?
   • How will it benefit your creative practice or professional development?
   • How do you want to contribute to the programme? / Do you have any suggestions for activities or people you’d like to see as part of the programme (this isn’t compulsory!)?

2. Bio/Artist Statement (max. half page of A4 / 2-3 minutes video or audio), including information about your creative practice and why you do what you do. Don’t worry if you aren’t happy with this. That’s a common feeling and we will be developing this as part of the programme!
3. Brief CV (max. 1 page A4 / 2-3 minutes video or audio) focussing on your practice
 and any relevant experience (incl. up to date address, contact phone number and email address (non-university). Please note that applications won’t be assessed based on your CV.
4. If you have been to university, please state which subject course you have completed, 
the year of graduation and what institution you attended, or provide equivalent information. We welcome applications from people who haven’t undertaken a formal degree course, so this isn’t mandatory.

5. Web links or images of recent work (up to 6 items). This is to give us an indication of your work, its subject matter and medium – which will help us to plan the programme.

6. Please include what type of space membership you would like to apply for (individual, shared, hot-desk, associate).

7. Equality and Diversity monitoring form (available from the NewBridge website).

Deadline: Thursday 27 August, 12 noon

We want The Collective Studio to be open and accessible to everybody, and as such are offering a number of bursaries for free membership to support people who would otherwise be unable to participate.

We are offering 2 x Associate Membership bursaries and 2 x Hot-desk bursaries for Collective Studio membership for those who face barriers associated with race, disability, age, gender identity, sexuality and/or class.

Additionally, we will offer 1 x Studio Membership bursary for an individual studio space for a disabled emerging artist, as we recognise that the cost of a studio in addition to access costs may be a barrier for some to participate.

Please state in your application if you would like to be considered for one of these bursaries, and under what circumstances.

Please note we are planning for several eventualities in relation to the global pandemic which will evolve in relation to guidance on social distancing etc. Please get in touch with any questions.

The NewBridge Project: Gateshead, 232-240 High Street, Gateshead 
NE8 1AQ

Please contact Dan Russell, Artist Development Programmer on d.russell@thenewbridgeproject.com if you have any questions about The Collective Studio, the application process or would like to chat more about the opportunity to see if it is right for you.