BAG FACTORY ARTISTS STUDIOS & ART SOURCE SOUTH AFRICA PRESENT

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS - 2019

DEADLINE: Friday 25 JANUARY 2019

WHAT IS ACBC?

Are you a visual artist looking to jump-start or leverage your professional career? What you need is boot camp. The Artists’ Career Boot Camp is an exciting career opportunity for artists looking to fully immerse themselves in what it takes to manage their careers effectively.

A first in South Africa, it is designed to empower new artists with the critical skills to get serious about a career in the visual arts. It will train you to engage directly and confidently with market platforms to promote sustainability in your careers and develop professionalism in your practice.

The programme is designed as a launch pad to enable artists who are ready to enter the market at a professional level, or are in the early stage of their careers, the opportunity to develop the art industry knowledge they will require, as well as prepare a professional portfolio of work.

Art Source South Africa hosts this programme in association with the Bag Factory and with the support of the National Arts Council.

In an intensive 3 month programme artists will receive professional practice training on topics such as marketing, pricing, engaging galleries and other critical areas from an experienced trainer as well as input and direction from industry specialists. Each participant will receive individual coaching and mentorship around their defined career goal, as well as critical engagement with their body of work. The Programme will comprise 3 intensive full contact weeks over a three month period. Goals will be set for participants to work towards in the time between contact weeks. The programme is designed to assist each participant to reach their personal artistic and career goals. The final exhibition event held at the end of the 3 months, will invite the public, gallerists, and other professionals to identify upcoming talent. Accommodation & transport s are to the delegate’s own cost.

This opportunity is open for visual artists who are developing their practice as well as their artistic voice, and have engaged with the industry for at least 3-5 years; who are committed and ready to take the next step in their careers.

There are two streams of applications:

All delegates are expected to cover their own transport, accommodation and meal costs for the duration of the programme.

Selection Criteria:
To be eligible to apply for this programme the artist must be:
* Aged between 20 – 35 years
* Able to commit to the full duration of the programme and be available for all
contact weeks. (Employed artists may apply but need to confirm how they
can attend the mandatory contact weeks)
* Have a minimum of 2-3 years artistic practice experience
* Producing work that conforms to a contemporary genre
* Producing work showing a high technical and conceptual standard

Applicants will be selected by a Selection Committee to assess their readiness for this programme and will be notified in writing of the outcome.

The independent Selection Committee comprises of professionals who are informed about the programme and are familiar with the contemporary visual arts sector and the rigours of an art career.

Dates:
The programme consists of three contact weeks over a three-month cycle.
Week 1: 25 February - 1 March 2019
Week 2: 11 March - 15 March 2019
Week 3: 8 April - 12 April 2019

Contact times:
Monday - Friday, 09h00 - 16h30 daily.

Full attendance of the entire programme is mandatory, and participants are expected to commit to the whole programme. No exceptions will be allowed. Participants will be expected to respect the professional training offered by being punctual and by ensuring they engage with all aspects of the programme fully.

A final public exhibition event will take place in mid-May 2019.

Assignments and targets are set for delegates for work to be completed between each contact week.

Venue:
The Bag Factory, 10 Mahlatini Street, Fordsburg, Johannesburg

Costs:
- Fifteen (15) fully sponsored positions. Participation will be free but delegate will be contracted and sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) confirming their full participation.
- Fee-paying delegate: R 7000-00 (incl. Vat) for the programme.

Applications MUST be submitted by email:
Note: No hard copy applications will be accepted.

Please submit a SINGLE PDF not bigger than 5MB containing the following information:

Applications close at 10:00 am on Friday 1st February 2019 and should be emailed to: applications@bagfactoryart.org.za

For enquiries, contact Tiina Liebenberg on 011 834 9181.

This programme is funded by National Arts Council of South Africa, and is produced in partnership with Art Source South Africa.