Open Call:  Proposals for funded Workshop Sessions for Adults – Spring/ Summer 2023

The brief

Creative workshops inspired by our town.
Value: £260 (see fee section below for details)

We would like to hear from artists who can run bookable or drop-in activities for adults at Aunty Social (28 Topping St, FY1 3QA) or within the Heritage Action Zone (HAZ) area between 27th May and 31st August 2023.

If you would prefer to run an activity for families, please visit our ‘artist opportunities for family activities’ page.

  • Theme: taking inspiration from the HAZ area (this could include making the most of the weather and going out into the area to explore).
  • You will ideally have experience of working with the public on community art projects.
  • We are looking for 2 activities lasting approximately 1.5 hours each OR one longer activity, e.g. 3 hours with a break.
  • You should consider how the sessions can be delivered safely in a post-Covid environment. We can provide trestle tables/chairs/sanitiser, as required.
  • Activity can take place outside the venue (e.g. outdoor photography) but must start/finish at Aunty Social, Topping St.

The fee is £260 for each opportunity.

More on fees

This will include planning, preparation, and delivery of the activity during Spring/ Summer 2023. We pay artists based on rates advised by the Artists’ Union England and Arts Council England.

If you need to go over/under, please outline this in your application and let us know why.

Creative activity can be in any creative form.
This includes visual arts, crafts, photography, filmmaking, ceramics, creative writing and more. If you’re not sure, please get in touch.

Community/voluntary arts groups are very welcome to apply.

Commission Requirements

  • You must be able to provide all the necessary equipment to deliver the workshops.
  • You must have all the relevant insurances (particularly public liability) in place. 
  • Activity must take place between 27th May and 31st August 2023.

Timescale

  • Submit your proposal by Monday 8th May 2023
  • You will have a response by 5pm Friday 12th May 2023
  • Activity will take place between 27th May and 31st August at Aunty Social, Topping Street, or within the HAZ area.

     

Please note that this commission cannot be used to fund work that is already part of an existing programme or activity that has already taken place.

How we will decide

The proposals will be considered by a special meeting of the Cultural Consortium and successful applicants will be notified that week. We will offer feedback as we recognise this is important to anyone wanting to improve their tendering skills. 

What you will need to submit

Your proposal should include:

  • Experience: What is your experience of leading workshops in the past?
  • Activity/artistic medium: What activity do you want to lead?
  • Numbers: How many people can take part? Is this activity bookable or can attendees ‘drop-in’?
  • Equipment: Do you have all the equipment to deliver the session(s)?
  • Availability: Can you deliver your session between 27th May and 31st August? Please indicate in your application your preferred dates. 
  • Do you want to just deliver this single activity or are you interested in doing more in 2023/24? 
  • Weather: if your activity is outdoors, will poor weather impact on the delivery of your session?

We hold diversity, equity and inclusion as core values and are committed to making the application process accessible to all. We are therefore happy to accept either written applications or those in a video or audio format.

Please use this form to set out your proposal and email the form (or a video/ audio application) to us at [email protected] 

OR

You can apply using our online form

Due to our funding conditions, this opportunity is limited to individuals and organisations based in the UK. We will give priority to applicants based on the Fylde Coast but artists from outside this area are welcome to apply if workshops can be delivered locally.

If you have any questions, please email us. 

About Blackpool Heritage Action Zone: Cultural Programme

The Blackpool Heritage Action Zone Cultural Consortium is looking for artists and creatives to deliver workshop sessions to local people as part of the Historic England Funded Heritage Action Zone Cultural Programme.  

Activities will range from Markets to street performance, workshops to heritage talks. The programme is designed to be dynamic and has the ability to adapt and change activities in line with what our audiences want to see delivered.  

As part of the preparation for the Cultural Programme, the Council commissioned a creative mapping exercise which brought together members of the creative community from a range of different backgrounds. Out of this work came a number of clear messages from the local creative community around willingness to share skills and knowledge and a desire to see more local commissioning. This open call is designed to capture that desire to share skills and deliver on the commitment to commission fairly and locally.