On the Next Level
On The Next Level is the developmental step from the highly successful
and unique integrated On The Level exhibition that Art Shape hosted
in 2001. Art Shape has now raised £101,000 of the £172,000
we need to ensure that this ambitious project can enjoy the success
it deserves.
On
The Level approached exhibiting in an innovative way, promoting equality
of access in a way that engaged with the "realities" of the
visual arts world. The exhibition included work from a diverse group
of professional and emerging artists without specific reference to the
labels that may be obliged to wear in the outside world. It stimulated
and challenged the audience to ask questions about the role of creativity
in peoples lives, how judgements are made about the worth of a piece
of art, how artists portray themselves and how our assumptions effect
and influence our experience of art.
Now
Art Shape and a consortium of partners are taking it to another level
by developing a consortium of partners, network and links with key South
West organisations. Creating a two year visual arts initiative that
will build the capacity of arts organisations in the region to deliver
an innovative and inclusive touring exhibition.
On the Next Level
ON THE NEXT LEVEL is designed to enable and encourage debate
to tackle the preconceptions in the arts world around the role of community
within the arts. The exhibition will create a level playing field by
making no distinctions between artists with disabilities and those without
disabilities, or between professional and amateur artists. On The Next
Level will exhibit an innovative and contemporary range of artists in
a welcoming and accessibly designed environment.
The exhibition will be developed using On The Level 2001 as a model
of good practice. It will offer many new opportunities for professional
development for arts professionals and people facing disabling barriers
to the arts.
The On the Next Level project will work to:
1. Create a new network of exhibition venues to develop a sustainable
SW touring exhibition circuit - the consortium of partners are Art Shape
in Gloucestershire, Brewhouse in Somerset, Holton Lee in Dorset and
Salisbury Libraries and Galleries in Wiltshire
2. Develop the professional skills of curators and arts
professionals in the region to select, showcase, support and promote
artists throughout their careers inclusively.
3. Mentor adults facing disabling barriers to access the
professional skills of curators and arts professional by offering an
exhibition apprenticeship, training to become gallery assistors and
volunteering to learn hands-on exhibition skills.
4. Reach new audiences and artists by creating an innovative
opportunity to influence the making of the exhibition, with the view
to developing a longer-term involvement with your local arts organisations.
5. Undertake four creative action research projects employing
four local artists to try out potential exhibition themes and nurture
emerging artists within local community groups, networks and centres.
6. Create a prestigious core exhibition that will tour each venue
where it will be added to, highlighting the distinctive regional specialisms
of the partner organisations.
7. Challenge perceptions of who an artist is by showcasing high
quality artworks from a range of amateur and professional artists.
8. Commission eight artists to create four new pieces of cross
media artwork in response to the exhibition with involvement from the
local community.
The project will run from the beginning of 2005 until the end of 2006
throughout Dorset, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire. The project
will bring a wide range of artists together to develop new ways of working
and viewing their arts practice. We hope that this project will create
new networks for peer support long after it has finished.
On The Next Level is being run in three stages; development stage (Jan
- June 2005), implementation stage (June -2005 - June 2006) and the
legacy stage June - December 2006).
There will be many opportunities to get involved in the project. Tell us how
you would like to get involved using by printing out the registration
form and sending it to us at
On The Next Level
Art Shape Ltd
26 Station Road
Gloucester
GL1 1EW
Fax: 01452 541145
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