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UPDATE 20/07/2020: Festival Commissions and Micro-commissions are now CLOSED. Applications for the Libraries Commission will remain open until 31 July.
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We are excited to announce the following commissions for d/Deaf and/or disabled artists.
Working in partnership DaDaFest, Unlimited and the Granada Foundation are inviting d/Deaf and/or disabled artists to apply for either one of 10 micro Commissions of up to a £1,000 or one of 4 Festival Commissions of up to £2,500. The commissions are designed to be presented as part of DaDaFest’s 2020/21 season of activities and some will be highlighted as part of DaDaFest International in November 2020.
Also, in partnership with Cultural Hubs, a further Libraries Commission will be a digital project by a d/Deaf or disabled artist, or disabled-led companies, responding to the idea of a public lending library. This commission will sit alongside the four large Festival Commissions being presented in late November 2020, and comes with a production budget of £2,500.
Please use the menus to navigate through the information, or click on NEXT PAGE below.
DaDaFest
DaDaFest is a pioneering disability and Deaf arts organisation based in the heart of Liverpool with a national and international reputation for delivering high quality and accessible events and projects, including a critically acclaimed festival programme.
DaDaFest is disability led and focused to reflect the lived experience of disability. We believe that disability is a social issue – it is systemic barriers, negative attitudes and exclusion by society (purposely or inadvertently) that are the main contributory factors in “disabling” people. DaDaFest uses the arts to educate, challenge attitudes, identify and remove the barriers that restrict life choices for disabled people.
Unlimited
Unlimited is an arts commissioning programme that enables new work by disabled artists to reach UK and international audiences. It is the largest supporter of disabled artists worldwide.
Unlimited is a commissioning programme, transitioning to an organisation. It works with disabled artists from all over the UK. Unlimited aims to change perceptions of disabled people by commissioning disabled artists to make new, ground-breaking and high quality work.
The Granada Foundation
The Granada Foundation encourages and promotes the study, practice and appreciation of science and the arts, including drawing, architecture and landscape architecture, sculpture, literature, music, opera, drama, dance, cinema and the methods and means of their dissemination.
The Foundation has been a long-term supporter of DaDaFest International and the work of disabled artists.
Cultural Hubs
Cultural Hubs is an award-winning arts in libraries project that brings a broad range of arts events into all St Helens Borough Libraries.
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Our Ambition
Working in partnership DaDaFest, Unlimited and the Granada Foundation are inviting d/Deaf and/or disabled artists to apply for either 1 of 10 micro Commissions of up to a £1,000 or 1 of 4 Festival Commissions of up to £2,500. All work is to be proposed / presented in digital format.
We want this call out to support a range of creative projects by outstanding disabled artists and companies. Projects can be in any art form but must be creatively led by disabled people themselves.
The commissioned works will be included in DaDaFest’s 2020-21 season of events and might also be included in the 2020 DaDaFest International festival programme taking place in November.
We want to support disabled artists to develop their creative and artistic practice and create a digital legacy. To do this we intend to put in place resources to provide support for both artistic and technical skills and CPD opportunities (“how to” sessions, practical skills) to support both these commissions and longer term practice development.
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What are we looking for?
The theme for DaDaFest’s 2020/21 Season is ‘Translations’ and we are encouraging artists to respond to this theme in whatever way they feel appropriate
We are looking for:
· ambitious work that reflects this theme (in whatever way), challenges thinking and asks audiences to re-consider commonly held beliefs
· work that engages as fully as possible with the digital medium rather than simply filming what would or could have happened live.
We encourage artists to consider:
· ways that audiences can engage with the work pre, post and during presentation if appropriate.
· work that is relevant to marginalised communities;
· work that can be shared and promoted online by DaDaFest and by other promoters beyond this.
We are particularly keen to receive proposals from disabled artists who expect to be continuing to isolate after lockdown restrictions are eased.
Proposals must be original, and not from an artist’s existing work, unless it is truly relevant and timely to do so, such as a digital realisation or element of a pre-existing R&D. If the work replicates pre-existing copyrighted content (particularly music), it should do so creatively, and be flagged in the application.
We expect the work to be made adhering to relevant public health advice around social distancing and / or isolation depending on individual circumstances.
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Micro Commissions
Working in partnership with Unlimited, DaDaFest is inviting d/Deaf and disabled artists who live and/or work in the North West to apply for ten micro commissions of up to £1,000 each to create digital artworks to be presented as part of the DaDaFest 2020/21 season.
Micro Commissions - Who can apply?
D/deaf or disabled artists and disabled-led companies that support disabled-led work across all art forms and who are based in and/or work in the North West of England.
We welcome applications for these commissions from artists at any stage of their career. For individuals this does not mean you have to have been regularly paid as an artist or have earned all of your income as an artist
Both DaDaFest and Unlimited are keen to encourage diversity and intersectionality in the arts and so actively encourage proposals from artists from under represented communities, artists of colour and artists who are LGBTQIA+.
For the purposes of this commissions we are taking the North West to be defined by the English Counties of Cumbria,Lancashire, Merseyside, Greater Manchester and Cheshire.
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Micro Commissions - what will you receive?
Up to £1,000 commission. Please be realistic about the scale of the project / length of the work. DaDaFest can offer advice and support on this if selected
Production advice and support, if required, for your project: e.g. through online resources or video calls / chats and emails using text, voice and BSL to discuss practical issues, timeframe and access.
Marketing support in promoting the commission as part of DaDaFest International 2020 and/or our 2020/21 season.
The works will also be represented on the Unlimited website and the artists will join the Unlimited alumni.
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Micro Commissions - selection process: key criteria
A disability led panel comprising DDF staff, Unlimited Staff and independent artists will review all applications and make a final decision. The panel will take their decisions against the following key criteria:
- disability-led
- quality, innovation and ambition
- How the works encompasses the season/festival theme - Translations
- Evidence of how the award will support wider practice or artistic development
We will also consider how the how the proposed work will add to the body of work that DaDaFest has previously commissioned – e.g. does it cover an art form we have never commissioned, does it have new partners involved or test a new platform etc. – and how it contributes to a balanced programme of DaDaFest events and activity for 2020/21.
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Micro Commissions - How to apply
You will need to answer some simple questions covering:
- Your name and some information about the art you create.
- What do you want to do?
- Why do you want to do it
- How will you spend the £1,000 - your budget.
The specific questions and the application form are here.
We would also ask that you complete our Equal Opportunities Monitoring form. This information is anonymous and will not be seen by the selection panel. The form is here.
There are a number of ways you can apply.
Fill in the Micro Commissions application form and return by email to commissions@dadafest.co.uk
Unfortunately due to the pandemic our offices are closed so we cannot accept postal submissions
We are also accepting proposals in video / audio format and BSL – please send a film / audio file no longer than 5 minutes to commissions@dadafest.co.uk or send us a link to download the file to the same address.
Though we are not asking for a detailed budget, your proposal will need to include an overview of costs. We may come back to you for further information if we need it.
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Frequently Asked Questions - DaDaFest Micro Commissions
Please contact us if you would like this information in an alternative format.
Submitting an Application
How do I submit an application?
There are a number of ways you can apply.
Fill in the application form downloadable here and return by email to commissions@dadafest.co.uk
Unfortunately due to the pandemic our offices are closed so we cannot accept postal submissions.
We are also accepting proposals in video / audio format and BSL – please send a film / audio file no longer than 5 minutes to commissions@dadafest.co.uk or send us a download link to the same address.
When can I apply?
You can submit an application from 8 June 2020. The deadline for submissions is 5.00pm on Monday 20 July. We won’t be able to offer any extensions.
Is there any support available to help with submitting an application?
Yes. If you need any assistance with access, or the language and terminology in our application form, please get in touch with us via commissions@dadafest.co.uk.
Unfortunately our offices are not open at the moment so we cannot take initial enquiries over the phone, though we can arrange a suitable time to speak or video call if required.
When and how will the decisions be made?
A panel comprising DDF staff, Unlimited staff and independent artists will review all applications and make a final decision. The panel will be disability-led.
The selection panel will meet in the third week of July and all applicants will be notified of the panel decision by 7 August at the latest.
I don’t have any documentation of my work – can I still apply?
Yes, but your application would be much stronger if you are able to show examples of your work to the selection panel using either still images, audio, video documentation and/or written documents.
I don’t have my own website – can I still apply?
Yes, but it could make your application stronger if you could evidence an established profile using other relevant links (e.g. media coverage).
I don’t live in the North West – can I still apply?
Yes, but only if you are employed by, or are part of, an artistic company that is based in the North West. Artists who have simply toured or exhibited in this area are not eligible to apply
Project Details
What kind of information should my Project Summary text contain?
This section of the application is about giving us a clear and concise summary of the project. Should the application be successful, this text will be used on the DaDaFest website and within our initial marketing materials (full or edited). It should be clear and to the point.
What kind of information should my Project Proposal contain?
In this section, we want to hear about the art work or project, what you are planning to do, form, content, and what is it about? We want to have a clear understanding of your idea and how it addresses our Key Criteria.
What kind of information should the DaDaFest International section contain?
Please tell us why your project is right for DaDaFest. We are looking for projects that are disabled-led, demonstrate quality, ambition and innovation and address the theme of our festival and season - Translations
What kind of information should the ‘Timeline’ section contain?
The commissions need to produce work that can be incorporated into our season of work stretching through to September 2021. However, our International Festival will start in late November and we are keen to include some of these commissions in the festival programme if possible so please indicate if you expect to complete your commission before November.
You need to detail the various stages that your project will need to go through and provide evidence that your work can be completed in the time that you are suggesting.
What kind of information should the Professional Development section contain?
These commissions aim to help you develop your practice. Please tell us how this project stretches your practice, whether that be in relation to skills, networks, audiences, form, new collaborations, etc. Consider what support you might need with regards to this - support could include mentoring, training, shadowing, gaining new skills and so forth.
We are planning to put in place a comprehensive support package for successful applicants so it is important for us to understand what will be required
What Information should the Access section contain?
Applicants are expected to consider access throughout the creative process and embed it in their final work. Given the digital nature of these commissions we are keen to explore creative ways of building access into the work from initial conception. In this section you should reflect this and set out how you will make the work accessible for audiences and participants within the aesthetic of your artistic idea.
Please also indicate where and why this cannot be achieved
What information should the Impact section contain and how should I measure the success of my project?
In this section you should outline the outcomes you plan to achieve. We would also be keen to understand what you anticipate the long term impact of the work might be, both for you and for your audience
What kind of information should my budget contain?
Please tell us how much you want from us and how you intend to spend the money, e.g. to buy materials, to cover production costs or to employ other artists. We do not expect a lot of detail on the budget, and we do not expect you to have match funding or income from other sources
We may however get in touch with you if there is anything that we need to clarify
Can you cover my access costs?
If you have self-employed artist status or work as part of an organisation or company and usually receive Access to Work support, then any access costs you incur on this commission as an artist or practitioner should be covered by Access to Work
If you do not draw an income from your work as an artist or are not eligible for Access to Work funding for other reasons then we will work with you to meet your access costs if you are selected, so please include these figures as a cost either within your project budget or as an “add on” extra above the commission if needs be
Will audience members’ access costs be covered?
It is the responsibility of the applicant to consider how their work will be accessible for audiences and participants within the aesthetic of their artistic idea. Applicants are expected to consider access throughout the creative process and embed it in their proposal. If this is not possible then please identify your access costs in your budget, either within or as an add on extra to the commission requested, and we will work to find a way of meeting those costs.
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Festival Commissions
With the support of the Granada Foundation, DaDaFest is inviting established D/deaf or disabled artists and disabled-led companies to apply for one of four Festival Commissions of up to £2,500 each to create digital artworks to be presented as part of DaDaFest International Festival in November 2020.
We are planning for the 2020 Festival to begin in late Novemeber 2020. We anticipate that the majority of the Festival will be taking place online.
Through this strand we are looking to commission new work which may already be at an early stage of conception or may have already had some research and development.
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Festival Commissions - who can apply?
Professionally established D/deaf or disabled led artists and companies that create disabled-led work across all art forms.
By ‘established’ we mean artists and companies who
- have made and/or been part of work that has been shown widely in public with strong critical reception;
- possess, or have access to, knowledge of what working digitally can produce;
- are committed to making high quality work.
DaDaFest is keen to encourage diversity and intersectionality in the arts and so actively encourage proposals from artists from under represented communities, artists of colour and artists who are LGBTQIA+.
There are no geographical restrictions on who may apply for the Festival commissions.
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Festival Commissions - what will you receive?
Up to £2,500 commission. The work needs to be ready in time for the International Festival in November 2020, so please be realistic about the scale of the project / length of the work. (DaDaFest can offer advice and support on this if selected)
Production advice and support, if required, for your project: e.g. through online resources or video calls / chats and emails using text, voice and BSL to discuss practical issues, timeframe and access.
Marketing support in promoting the commission as part of DaDaFest International 2020.
Next page.
Festival Commissions - selection process: key criteria
A panel comprising DDF staff and independent artists will review all applications and make a final decision. The panel will take their decisions against the following key criteria:
- disability-led
- quality, innovation and ambition
- strong track record of creating work and reaching audiences
- evident experience of previous digital work or a clear proposal as to how these skills will be developed through the commission
- the role of any collaborations and partnerships (including with non-disability led companies/artists/producers) – these can be either planned or already developed
- How the work addresses the festival theme - Translations
- Deliverability – the work must be capable of being incorporated in the DaDaFest International 2020 Programme
We will also consider how the how the proposed work will add to the body of work that DaDaFest has previously commissioned – e.g. does it cover an art form we have never commissioned, does it have new partners involved or test a new platform etc. – and how it contributes to a balanced programme for DaDaFest International 2020.
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Festival Commissions - How to apply
You will need to provide us with information on:
- The name of the project, artist(s) and producer and/or partners (if relevant) attached to the project
- A description of the project and its suitability for DaDaFest International 2020
- A budget breakdown showing clearly how you will spend the money
- Brief biographies or CVs for lead artist(s) and producer(s) involved
- Peer endorsement and supporting material in the form of images, video, audio or documents,
The specific questions and the application form are here.
We would also ask that you complete our Equal Opportunities Monitoring form. This information is anonymous and will not be seen by the selection panel. The form is here.
You will also need to provide us with a project budget. A suggested budget template is here. Please note that this is a Zip file. Once you download it, double click to unlock it and open the file.
You do not have to use the template, but whatever you do submit must include
- detailed information on all expenditure – including production, presentation, project management, support required (e.g. mentoring) and access for the artistic team and/or for audiences.
- all potential income sources, including information on partnership funding, in-kind support, grants from other organisations, and fees for the presentation of the work. Please indicate whether the income is confirmed or an estimate.
It is ok if you have no other income sources – for these commissions there is no match funding requirement
There are a number of ways you can apply.
Fill in the Festival Commissions application form and return it with your supporting information and budget by email to commissions@dadafest.co.uk
Unfortunately due to the pandemic our offices are closed so we cannot accept postal submissions
We are also accepting proposals in video / audio format and BSL – please send a film / audio file no longer than 10 minutes to commissions@dadafest.co.uk or send us a link to download the file to the same address.
Next page.
Frequently Asked Questions - DaDaFest Festival Commissions
Please contact us if you would like this information in an alternative format.
Submitting an Application
How do I submit an application?
There are a number of ways you can apply
Fill in the application form downloadable here and return by email to commissions@dadafest.co.uk
Unfortunately due to the pandemic our offices are closed so we cannot accept postal submissions
We are also accepting proposals in video / audio format and BSL – please send a film / audio file no longer than 10 minutes to commissions@dadafest.co.uk or send us a download link to the same address.
When can I apply?
You can submit an application from 8 June 2020. The deadline for submissions is 5.00pm on Monday 20 July. We won’t be able to offer any extensions.
Is there any support available to help with submitting an application?
Yes. If you need any assistance with access, or the language and terminology in our application form, please get in touch with us via commissions@dadafest.co.uk.
Unfortunately our offices are not open at the moment so we cannot take initial enquiries over the phone, though we can arrange a suitable time to speak or video call if required.
When and how will the decisions be made?
A panel comprising DDF staff and independent artists will review all applications and make a final decision. The panel will be disability-led.
The selection panel will meet during the third week of July and all applicants will be informed of their decisions by 8 August at the latest
What supporting documents should I include in my application?
Writing about an artistic idea can sometimes be limiting so this is an opportunity for you to give us an insight into your project by using visuals, sound, or creative writing. The content could relate directly to the project (such as documentation of research, or visualisation of ideas or mood boards), but can also be previous work that demonstrates quality. It’s important to select this material carefully so that it informs the application and stays relevant.
Please take the time to enter descriptions of visuals and sounds for hearing and visually impaired panel members to enable them to be able to access the content.
I don’t have any documentation of my work – can I still apply?
No. You need to be able to show examples of your work to the selection panel using either still images, audio, video documentation and/or written documents.
Will I be penalised for submitting just one instance of past work or documentation?
No, the work will be judged on quality and relevance, not the number of supporting documents submitted. It is advisable to submit your best work(s).
What do we mean by disabled artists and companies having a strong track record in their artistic field?
We will not measure a “strong” track record solely by its length or breadth. We are keen to include work that has generated strong critical response and/or been challenging of social norms or conventions, particularly work that can demonstrate a strong social justice element
I don’t have my own website – can I still apply?
Yes. But you must have an established profile evidenced by other relevant links, the letter of recommendation or media coverage.
Project Details
What kind of information should my Project Summary text contain?
This section of the application is about giving us a clear and concise summary of the project, naming the artist(s) involved, the themes, forms and aims of the project.
Should the application be successful, this text will be used on the DaDaFest website and within our initial marketing materials (full or edited). It should be clear and to the point.
What kind of information should my Project Proposal contain?
In this section, we want to hear about the art work or project, what you are planning to do, form, content, and what is it about? We want to have a clear understanding of your idea and how it addresses our Key Criteria.
If you have already undergone initial research and development for this project, please tell us what has been the response to the work?
What kind of information should the DaDaFest International section contain?
Please tell us why your project is right for DaDaFest. We are looking for projects that are disabled-led, demonstrate quality, ambition and innovation and address the theme of our festival and season - Translations.
What kind of information should the ‘Timeline’ section contain?
We will let all applicants know the outcome of their submission by 1 August. The DaDaFest Festival commissions need to produce work that can be incorporated into the International Festival programme which will start in late November 2020.
You need to detail the various stages that your project will need to go through and provide evidence that your work can be completed in time to form part of the 2020 International festival.
What Information should the Access section contain?
Applicants are expected to consider access throughout the creative process and embed it in their final work. Given the digital nature of these commissions we are keen to explore creative ways of building access into the work from initial conception. In this section you should reflect this and set out how you will make the work accessible for audiences and participants within the aesthetic of your artistic idea.
Please also indicate where and why this cannot be achieved
What information should the Impact section contain and how should I measure the success of my project?
In this section you should outline some of the outcomes you plan to achieve and how you will monitor your project’s progress. This might include how you plan to measure the success of your project and what the long term impact of the work might be
What kind of information should my budget contain?
Please give detailed information on all the expenditure that you expect to make on the project. This could include materials, the costs of hiring things (or people) costs of travel, production, presentation or project management. You should also include anything you expect to spend on support for yourself (e.g. training or mentoring) and access for you, the artistic team and/or for audiences.
In the income section you should include confirmed and potential income sources, including information on partnership funding, in-kind support, grants from other organisations, and fees for the presentation of the work.
The difference between what you expect to spend and what income you expect to get is the total that you are asking us to cover.
What you are asking us to cover can be the whole costs of the project - for these commissions you do not have to be in receipt of funding from other sources, in other words there is no match funding requirement
A budget template is available, but you do not have to use it. Please supply the required income and expenditure detail in whatever format you feel most appropriate
About You
What kind of information should the Professional development section contain?
This commissioning round aims to help you develop your practice. Please tell us how this project stretches your practice, whether that be in relation to skills, networks, audiences, form, new collaborations, etc. Consider what support you might need with regards to this - support could include mentoring, training, shadowing, gaining new skills and so forth.
We are planning to put in place a comprehensive support package for successful applicants so it is important for us to understand what will be required
Will I be eligible for Access to Work funding and support during the programme?
Access to Work is a government scheme that is designed to meet the additional costs of employing a disabled person where they are directly a result of that person’s impairments. For more information go to: www.gov.uk/access-to-work/overview
It is the selected applicant’s responsibility to apply for Access to Work funding, if the support is necessary and relevant to their situation. It is anticipated that for most artists, costs for support workers and/or access equipment/technology will be funded via Access to Work.
Can you cover my access costs?
If you have self-employed artist status or work as part of an organisation or company and usually receive Access to Work support, then any access costs you incur on this commission as an artist or practitioner should be covered by Access to Work.
If you do not draw an income from your work as an artist or are not eligible for Access to Work funding for other reasons then we will work with you to meet your access costs if you are selected, so please include these figures as a cost either within your project budget or as an “add on” extra above the commission if needs be.
Will audience members’ access costs be covered?
It is the responsibility of the applicant to consider how their work will be accessible for audiences and participants within the aesthetic of their artistic idea. Applicants are expected to consider access throughout the creative process and embed it in their full application proposal.
If it is not possible or desirable to incorporate all access requirements into your finished work we will support you, with additional resources if necessary, to explore options and ensure access (e.g. captioning, audio descriptions, BSL) is addressed.
Why do I need a Producer?
DaDaFest is looking for artists to apply with projects that are ambitious for them - either covering new ground or enabling them to work at a different scale. Even if the scale of your work is small, we expect there will be some logistical, technical or administrative work required
We want to know how you will engage with a producer to manage these aspects of the project, or for you to evidence how you will manage both the management and artistic sides of the project.
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Libraries Commission
DaDaFest, in partnership with Cultural Hubs, are looking to commission a digital project by a d/Deaf or disabled artist, or disabled-led companies, responding to the idea of a public lending library. A commons of ideas and connections. This commission will sit alongside the four large Festival Commissions being presented in late November 2020, and comes with a production budget of £2,500.
Cultural Hubs, an Arts in Libraries project, is a National Portfolio Organisation that works across the St Helens Borough through our public libraries. They are a part of the St Helens Borough Council and produce, programme and commission works which connect people across the borough and the world.
Cultural Hubs says:
'We see the library as a communal public space open to everyone, a space where there is no agenda to push you to buy, believe or subscribe. Instead it should be a facility to discover, to meet, to learn and to be part of communal public space. We believe in the power of books and discovery to change our world, and nurture the moments of compassion and excitement we find there. We see the creative projects we produce as another part of the way we can change the world, unfolding from these library spaces.'
This partnership seeks to commission a project which harmonises with some of the ideas above, under the theme of the library. Perhaps considering the idea of a creative commons, of a neutral public space, of building worlds from the words of others to explore. You could be inspired by history – the world changing libraries of Baghdad, Timbuktu and Alexandria. Or perhaps libraries in literature – imagined by Luis Borges as an infinite repository or by Ray Bradbury as people committing texts to memory to save them. We would like you to find your inspiration in libraries.
Right now work continues to safely open library buildings back up to the public, and it's not a straightforward journey - we don't know when groups will be allowed in, or what resources will be available. So we need to stay open and in conversation about how or what can be presented. For this reason, we'd rather ask for a digital project – but we’re open to ideas.
As a part of the commission, you are invited to programme a public event in one of the libraries - when it’s safe to do so. This means it may be during DaDaFest 2020, or could be in Spring 2021. It’s at a time which works for all of us. We are keen to keep an aspect of public events in our commissioning. This is a very broad remit; an artist Q&A, presentation of research, a performance, conversation or accompanying material would all be an interesting proposal. This is a subsidiary to the digital commission, and Cultural Hubs can support thinking and development of this event.
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Libraries Commissions - Who Can Apply?
Professionally established D/deaf or disabled artists and companies that create disabled-led work across all art forms.
By ‘established’ we mean artists and companies who
- have made and/or been part of work that has been shown widely in public with strong critical reception;
- possess, or have access to, knowledge of what working digitally can produce;
- are committed to making high quality work.
DaDaFest is keen to encourage diversity and intersectionality in the arts and so actively encourage proposals from artists from under represented communities, artists of colour and artists who are LGBTQIA+.
There are no geographical restrictions on who may apply for the Festival commissions.
Next page.
Libraries Commission - what will you receive?
Up to £2,500 commission. The work needs to be ready in time for the International Festival in November 2020, so please be realistic about the scale of the project / length of the work. (DaDaFest can offer advice and support on this if selected)
Production advice and support, if required, for your project: e.g. through online resources or video calls / chats and emails using text, voice and BSL to discuss practical issues, timeframe and access.
Marketing support in promoting the commission as part of DaDaFest International 2020.
We are keen to keep an aspect of public events in this commission. This is a very broad remit; an artist Q&A, presentation of research, a performance, conversation or accompanying material would all be an interesting proposal. This is a subsidiary to the digital commission, and Cultural Hubs can support thinking and development of this event.
Next page.
Libraries Commission - selection process: key criteria
A panel comprising DDF staff, Cultural Hub staff and independent artists will review all applications and make a final decision. The panel will be disability-led and take their decisions against the following key criteria:
· disability-led
· quality, innovation and ambition
· strong track record of creating work and reaching audiences
· evident experience of previous digital work or a clear proposal as to how these skills will be developed through the commission
· the role of any collaborations and partnerships (including with non-disability led companies/artists/producers) – these can be either planned or already developed
· How the work addresses the Libraries theme
· Deliverability – the work must be capable of being incorporated in the DaDaFest International 2020 Programme
We will also consider how the how the proposed work will add to the body of work that DaDaFest has previously commissioned – e.g. does it cover an art form we have never commissioned, does it have new partners involved or test a new platform etc. – and how it contributes to a balanced programme for DaDaFest International 2020.
Next page.
Libraries Commission – How to apply
You will need to provide us with information on:
- The name of the project, artist(s) and producer and/or partners (if relevant) attached to the project
- A description of the project and its suitability for the proposed theme
- A budget breakdown showing clearly how you will spend the money
- Brief biographies or CVs for lead artist(s) and producer(s) involved
- Peer endorsement and supporting material in the form of images, video, audio or documents
The specific questions and the application form are here: Application Form.
We would also ask that you complete our Equal Opportunities Monitoring form. This information is anonymous and will not be seen by the selection panel. The form is here: Monitoring_Form.doc.
You will also need to provide us with a project budget. A suggested budget template is here. Please note this is a zip file so you'll need to click to unzip it once you have downloaded it.
You do not have to use the template, but whatever you do submit must include
- detailed information on all expenditure – including production, presentation, project management, support required (e.g. mentoring) and access for the artistic team and/or for audiences.
- all potential income sources, including information on partnership funding, in-kind support, grants from other organisations, and fees for the presentation of the work. Please indicate whether the income is confirmed or an estimate.
It is ok if you have no other income sources – for these commissions there is no match funding requirement
There are a number of ways you can apply.
Fill in the Libraries Commission application form and return it with your supporting information and budget by email to commissions@dadafest.co.uk
Unfortunately due to the pandemic our offices are closed so we cannot accept postal submissions
We are also accepting proposals in video / audio format and BSL – please send a film / audio file no longer than 10 minutes to commissions@dadafest.co.uk or send us a link to download the file to the same address.
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Frequently Asked Questions - Library Commission
Please contact us if you would like this information in an alternative format.
Submitting an Application
How do I submit an application?
There are a number of ways you can apply
Fill in the application form downloadable on the DaDaFest website here and return by email to commissions@dadafest.co.uk
Unfortunately due to the pandemic our offices are closed so we cannot accept postal submissions
We are also accepting proposals in video / audio format and BSL – please send a film / audio file no longer than 10 minutes to commissions@dadafest.co.uk or send us a download link to the same address.
When can I apply?
You can submit an application from 22 June 2020. The deadline for submissions is 5.00pm on Friday 31 July. We won’t be able to offer any extensions.
Is there any support available to help with submitting an application?
Yes. If you need any assistance with access, or the language and terminology in our application form, please get in touch with us via commissions@dadafest.co.uk.
Unfortunately our offices are not open at the moment so we cannot take initial enquiries over the phone, though we can arrange a suitable time to speak or video call if required.
When and how will the decisions be made?
A panel comprising DDF staff, Cultural Hub staff and independent artists will review all applications and make a final decision. The panel will be disability-led.
The selection panel will meet during the second week of August and all applicants will be informed of their decisions by 14 August at the latest
What supporting documents should I include in my application?
Writing about an artistic idea can sometimes be limiting so this is an opportunity for you to give us an insight into your project by using visuals, sound, or creative writing. The content could relate directly to the project (such as documentation of
research, or visualisation of ideas or mood boards), but can also be previous work that demonstrates quality. It’s important to select this material carefully so that it informs the application and stays relevant.
Please take the time to enter descriptions of visuals and sounds for hearing and visually impaired panel members to enable them to be able to access the content.
I don’t have any documentation of my work – can I still apply?
No. You need to be able to show examples of your work to the selection panel using either still images, audio, video documentation and/or written documents.
Will I be penalised for submitting just one instance of past work or documentation?
No, the work will be judged on quality and relevance, not the number of supporting documents submitted. It is advisable to submit your best work(s).
What do we mean by disabled artists and companies having a strong track record in their artistic field?
We will not measure a “strong” track record solely by its length or breadth. We are keen to include work that has generated strong critical response and/or been challenging of social norms or conventions, particularly work that can demonstrate a strong social justice element
I don’t have my own website – can I still apply?
Yes. But you must have an established profile evidenced by other relevant links, the letter of recommendation or media coverage.
Project Details
What kind of information should my Project Summary text contain?
This section of the application is about giving us a clear and concise summary of the project, naming the artist(s) involved, the themes, forms and aims of the project.
Should the application be successful, this text will be used on the DaDaFest and Cultural Hubs websites and within our initial marketing materials (full or edited). It should be clear and to the point.
What kind of information should my Project Proposal contain?
In this section, we want to hear about the art work or project, what you are planning to do, form, content, and what is it about? We want to have a clear understanding of your idea and how it addresses our Key Criteria.
If you have already undergone initial research and development for this project, please tell us what has been the response to the work?
What kind of information should the Libraries Theme section contain?
Please tell us how and why your project addresses the proposed theme. We are looking for projects that are disabled-led, demonstrate quality, ambition and innovation
We see the library as a communal public space open to everyone, a space where there is no agenda to push you to buy, believe or subscribe. Instead it should be a facility to discover, to meet, to learn and to be part of communal public space. We believe in the power of books and discovery to change our world, and nurture the moments of compassion and excitement we find there. We see the creative projects we produce as another part of the way we can change the world, unfolding from these library spaces.
What kind of information should the ‘Timeline’ section contain?
We will let all applicants know the outcome of their submission by 14 August. The DaDaFest Festival commissions need to produce work that can be incorporated into the International Festival programme. The Festival will start in late November
You need to detail the various stages that your project will need to go through and provide evidence that your work can be completed in time to form part of the 2020 International festival
What Information should the Access section contain?
Applicants are expected to consider access throughout the creative process and embed it in their final work. Given the digital nature of these commissions we are keen to explore creative ways of building access into the work from initial conception. In this section you should reflect this and set out how you will make the work accessible for audiences and participants within the aesthetic of your artistic idea.
Please also indicate where and why this cannot be achieved
What information should the Impact section contain and how should I measure the success of my project?
In this section you should outline some of the outcomes you plan to achieve and how you will monitor your project’s progress. This might include how you plan to measure the success of your project and what the long term impact of the work might be
What kind of information should my budget contain?
Please give detailed information on all the expenditure that you expect to make on the project. This could include materials, the costs of hiring things (or people) costs of travel, production, presentation or project management. You should also include anything you expect to spend on support for yourself (e.g. training or mentoring) and access for you, the artistic team and/or for audiences.
In the income section you should include confirmed and potential income sources, including information on partnership funding, in-kind support, grants from other organisations, and fees for the presentation of the work.
The difference between what you expect to spend and what income you expect to get is the total that you are asking us to cover.
What you are asking us to cover can be the whole costs of the project - for these commission you do not have to be in receipt of funding from other sources, in other words there is no match funding requirement
A budget template is available, but you do not have to use it. Please supply the required income and expenditure detail in whatever format you feel most appropriate
About You
What kind of information should the Professional development section contain?
This commissioning round aims to help you develop your practice. Please tell us how this project stretches your practice, whether that be in relation to skills, networks, audiences, form, new collaborations, etc. Consider what support you might need with regards to this - support could include mentoring, training, shadowing, gaining new skills and so forth.
We are planning to put in place a comprehensive support package for successful applicants so it is important for us to understand what will be required
Will I be eligible for Access to Work funding and support during the programme?
Access to Work is a government scheme that is designed to meet the additional costs of employing a disabled person where they are directly a result of that person’s impairments. For more information go to: www.gov.uk/access-to-work/overview
It is the selected applicant’s responsibility to apply for Access to Work funding, if the support is necessary and relevant to their situation. It is anticipated that for most artists, costs for support workers and/or access equipment/technology will be funded via Access to Work.
Can you cover my access costs?
If you have self-employed artist status or work as part of an organisation or company and usually receive Access to Work support, then any access costs you incur on this commission as an artist or practitioner should be covered by Access to Work.
If you do not draw an income from your work as an artist or are not eligible for Access to Work funding for other reasons then we will work with you to meet your access costs if you are selected, so please include these figures as a cost either within your project budget or as an “add on” extra above the commission if needs be.
Will audience members’ access costs be covered?
It is the responsibility of the applicant to consider how their work will be accessible for audiences and participants within the aesthetic of their artistic idea. Applicants are expected to consider access throughout the creative process and embed it in their full application proposal.
If it is not possible or desirable to incorporate all access requirements into your finished work we will support you, with additional resources if necessary, to explore options and ensure access (e.g. captioning, audio descriptions, BSL) is addressed.
Why do I need a Producer?
DaDaFest is looking for artists to apply with projects that are ambitious for them - either covering new ground or enabling them to work at a different scale. Even if the scale of your work is small, we expect there will be some logistical, technical or administrative work required
We want to know how you will engage with a producer to manage these aspects of the project, or for you to evidence how you will manage both the management and artistic sides of the project.
Timetable
Micro and Festival Commissions.
The deadline for us to receive your micro or festival commission application is 5.00pm on Monday 20 July 2020.
We will let all applicants know the outcome of their applications, whether successful or unsuccessful by Friday 7 August at the latest.
Libraries Commission.
The deadline for us to receive your Libraries commission application is 5.00pm on Friday 31 July 2020.
We will let all applicants know the outcome of their applications, whether successful or unsuccessful by Friday 14 August at the latest.
We will attempt to provide all unsuccessful applicants with feedback on their applications.
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Access
Artist Access
Any access costs you incur as an artist or practitioner should be covered by Access to Work if you have self-employed artist status or work as part of an organisation or company. You should include these costs in your budget, both as expenditure and expected income.
If you do not draw an income from your work, we will work with you to meet your access costs if you are selected. Please include these figures within or in addition to the £1000 commission fee, depending on the nature of the work and the budget requirements.
Audience Access
We encourage artists to consider creative methods of integrating access for D/deaf and disabled online audiences into the work from conception. We can support artists with exploring how best to so this and will work with you on captioning, audio descriptions and other access elements, if required.
If after reading all the information provided you have further questions on access, please let us know by contacting commissions@dadafest.co.uk