Call out for artist mentors
We are looking for:
- Practicing, Devon-based visual artists with a minimum of 5 years’ experience making, curating and exhibiting work and teaching/facilitating art (in H.E., running private workshops and / or community projects).
- Artists with a keen interest in developing their practice whilst also using it as a tool to help communities thrive.
- Artists working in film, video, animation, graphic design, architecture, sculpture/3D, drawing & painting, mixed/ multi media.
- Artists with innovative approaches to making and audience engagement driven by experimentation and expression.
- ‘All-rounders’ with experience in arts facilitation and engagement with communities.
- Collaborators.
About our visual arts programme
As the visual arts arm of MakeTank in Exeter, Arts Lab is looking for 3 experienced visual artists to join our core team of artist associates to help deliver our programme of exhibitions, events and workshops and to mentor arts graduates to do the same from our city centre venue. We invite you to join our community of artists who are committed to developing creative practice alongside social enterprise, and making a living doing what they love.
Until now, much of our delivery has been through abstract drawing, painting and illustration. We are therefore particularly interested in those working in other visual art disciplines (see below).
Arts Lab + MakeTank
Arts Lab and MakeTank are entering an exciting new partnership with opportunities for artists and communities to make and experience art together in their dynamic city centre venue. MakeTank has the fantastically-equipped space for workshops, artists residencies, exhibitions and cultural events. Arts Lab is helping to bring the space to life with a team of artists, a business framework and 35 years’ experience working with arts and education. This will compliment MakeTank’s growing multidisciplinary programme.
Why would you take on this role?
- Free dedicated studio space (250-400 sq ft) with access 24/7.
- Free shared office space with other artist associates.
- Free access to open plan meeting space.
- Showcase your work in 2700 sq ft gallery space in the city centre and / or from our online platform.
- Artist Residency opportunities, i.e. ‘Seasonal Experimenter’.
- Freedom and encouragement to experiment and test new ideas, practices and audience participation.
- Exposure and networking opportunities.
- Collaborate with other artist associates and artists with contrasting practices – dance to dj-ing; architecture to film.
- Learn new creative practice skills and grow ideas.
- Grow social entrepreneurial skills, making money doing what you love – artwork sales, workshops/events, outreach projects.
- Leadership development.
Join our core team of artist associates and help us to revitalise Exeter City Centre and our shared vision of making art accessible to all…
What would be your commitment?
- An average of 4 voluntary hours per week on location. This will include: mentoring arts graduates; project/exhibition/ workshop development and delivery; collective content contributions to Arts Lab’s social media feeds and online Gallery and Journal (through your specialism); attending meetings.
- Anything above the 4 hours would be paid work generated from the above. (We are currently applying for funding to run a series of community workshops/events. Part of that funding would be specifically for your activities related to that project. In this context, you would be paid as a freelancer.)
- Co-design your own bespoke role/involvement plan with Arts Lab and MakeTank directors.
Whilst you will have the opportunity to generate income from individual art sales, workshop delivery and funded projects, this is not a salaried position. We run an ‘exchange-based’ economy. Your time, skills and expertise to collaboratively help deliver our programme and run the organisation will be non-monetary payment for, amongst other things, studio and office use and opportunities to hold exhibitions/ events and residency posts.
How do I apply?
Email sara@arts-lab.co.uk for an application form, with a brief explanation as to why you would like to apply.
Application deadline 12 noon Monday 20th September
What is MakeTank?
MakeTank is a cultural lab for social change; a creative home for local and creative communities to generate culture that moves people. We believe that there is a synergetic relationship between thriving artists and thriving communities.
In the summer of 2021, Exeter MakeTank and Arts Lab partnered up to work towards their shared vision of making art accessible to everyone. Both organisations are bound by collaboration, inclusivity and a culture of continuous creative learning and development.
