Wysing Arts Centre, Eastside Projects, Iniva, S1 Artspace, Spike Island and Studio Voltaire, invited applications from artists for Syllabus IV; a collaboratively produced alternative learning programme in its fourth year that supported ten artists across ten months.

Starting in September 2018, the curriculum for Syllabus IV was built around a series of six intensive gatherings, which the ten selected artists collaboratively developed with curators and artists who work with the partner organisations alongside two external Artistic Advisors. In 2018, artist Sonya Dyer and curator Helen Nisbet were the Artistic Advisors. The participating artists brought forward ideas to the programme and actively contributed to its design and delivery across the ten months.

Syllabus IV aimed to reach artists with a range of practices and artistic approaches and bring together individuals from across the UK. We were particularly keen to support applicants who have not yet had access to similar programmes. These included artists with Black, Asian or minority ethnic heritage, those who are facing barriers due to difficult socio-economic situations, and artists who identify as LGBTQI+ or have disabilities. We asked applicants to make this clear when applying, if applicable.

PEOPLE

The individuals and organisations who collaborated with the Syllabus IV artists, and who were involved across the ten months, are Ruth Claxton, Eastside Projects; Melanie Keen, Stephanie Moran and Simina Neagu, Iniva; Laura Clarke, S1 Artspace; Nicola Wright and Jenny Cooper, Studio Voltaire; Vanessa Boni, Spike Island; John Bloomfield and Chelsea Pettitt, Wysing Arts Centre.

Previous iterations of Syllabus have involved contributions from a wide range of artists, writers and curators and applicants to Syllabus IV had the opportunity to access similar networks. Contributing practitioners have included Barby Asante, Ruth Beale, Marvin Gaye Chetwynd, Celine Condorelli, Nav Haq, Nadia Hebson, Anthea Hamilton, Andy Holden, Shama Khanna, Pil and Galia Kollectiv, Mark Leckey, Richard Long, Sofia Niazi, Katrina Palmer, Holly Pester, Rory Pilgrim, Rosalie Schweiker, Cally Spooner, Richard Wentworth, Jonathan P. Watts, Keith Wilson, DM Withers and Rehana Zaman. We’ve received additional input and support from John Akomfrah, Benedict Drew, Kathy Noble, Eddie Peake, Marinella Senatore, Yinka Shonibare and Mike Sperlinger and have arranged visits to the Athens Biennial and Glasgow International. Artists Andy Holden, Milly Thompson, Jesse Darling, Harold Offeh and curator George Vasey have led the Syllabus as Artistic Advisors in previous years, engaging with and supporting participating artists over the course of the programme.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

The programme was structured around a series of gatherings at the partner venues which all participants required to attend. Some of these lasted up to four days, whilst others were shorter and hosted in a variety of locations across the UK. During the first retreat, artists and individuals connected to the partner organisations and the Artistic Advisors collaborated with participating artists to identify broad thematics. They collaboratively devised and structured a curriculum that supported individual and collective artistic development and provided access to networks and knowledge.

During periods between the gatherings, materials were made available through a shared online resource, and the Artistic Advisors supported and advised participating artists through a series of planning sessions and 1-2-1 conversations over the course of the programme.

Artists benefited from:

• The opportunity to collaboratively shape and develop a reflexive learning experience.
• The opportunity to develop supportive networks of artists, curators and organisations.
• An intensive programme of gatherings at partner venues that offer time to come together to discuss ideas, work and approaches to practice.
• Introductions to, and connections with arts organisations, communities and networks in cities across the UK.
• Opportunities for one to one support and critical conversation throughout the programme

PROGRAMME TIMETABLE

20-23 Sep 2018 – Wysing Arts Centre, Cambridgeshire
A four-day retreat, with onsite shared accommodation and food provided, introduced everyone who will be involved in Syllabus IV to one another. Led by the Syllabus Associate Artists, this gathering enabled selected artists, curators and programmers from the partner organisations, to come together, share practice and begin collaboratively planning the curriculum for Syllabus IV.

7-9 December 2018 – Spike Island, Bristol

1-3 February 2019 – Studio Voltaire, London

26-28 April 2019 – S1 Artspace, Sheffield

7-9 June 2019 – Iniva, London

1-4 August 2019 – Eastside Projects, Birmingham

COSTS

The Syllabus represented an investment of around £5,000 in each artist from the partner organisations. We secured Arts Council England funding to cover most of these costs in 2018/19. The cost to each participating artist was £500 which could be paid in monthly instalments. Additional costs to participants included travel and some accommodation which is estimated at an additional £600 per person for the whole programme. Efforts were made to ensure that low cost rail fares and accommodation were booked well in advance. The partners were happy to write letters of support for participants who wished to make applications for professional development or travel grants. We also were able to secure funding to offer one or two artists bursaries to cover costs, aimed at artists in difficult socio-economic circumstances.
Here are links to some funders who have supported previous participants:

– A-n Artist Bursaries

– Arts Council England Research and Development Grants

– Creative Scotland Open Project Funding

– Arts Council Wales

– Oppenheim-John Downes Memorial Trust

APPLICATION PROCESS

• Applicants should have been out of formal education for at least 4 years. We were also interested in hearing from artists who had not progressed through formal art training routes.
• We aimed to establish a cohort that represents a diversity of cultural perspectives and artistic practices and welcomed applications from a wide geographic spread across the UK.
• We were looking for applicants who want to both develop their own work and actively contribute to the collaborative development of the curriculum for Syllabus IV
• Syllabus IV was open to artists based in the UK
• Applications were made via video or audio, to support those with dyslexia, rather than written form.

To apply, applicants provided:

• A statement describing why they would like to participate in Syllabus IV (max 500 words);
• Initial ideas for contributors, thematics or content; what this could bring to Syllabus IV and why it is important to them and their work (max 500 words);
• A general statement on their work (max 500 words);
• A current CV;
• Information relating to personal circumstances, if applicable, for a support bursary. This might include information on financial circumstances, cultural background, gender or sexuality, or details of any disabilities.
• A selection of 10 images or a 5-minute showreel of relevant material. Links (vimeo/YouTube/soundcloud etc) to full length versions of AV work and/or websites where additional visual material can be found.

Applications were made online at Submittable. Applications that are not made via this process were ineligible.
The deadline for applications was 12 midnight Monday 7 May. Interviews for The Syllabus took place the first week of June.