MICRO ARTIST COMMISSIONS

‘Promenade’ and Sea like a Mirror’

DETAILS

Five new early career artist micro-commissions for local artists aged 18-30 to respond to the themes of ‘Promenade’ and ‘Sea Like a Mirror’.  

This opportunity is for emerging, local artists based in Weston super Mare to develop new site-specific work as part of a larger project for the town. 

We are looking for artworks created for the sea, by the sea across visual art forms, text, performance, film, installation, activities, and interventions. 

Creative work will be showcased as part of the Promenade Weekender taking place 5-8 June 2025. 

Commissioned artists will be supported by the project producer to develop, realise, and install their project. Artists will also have access to free practical masterclasses in developing their creative practice as a freelancer through Super Culture and our Creative Agency partners.

A fee of £1k each is offered, with additional production, support, and materials budget available of up to £200. 

Art at Promenade 2023. Photo credit Josh Lomen

ABOUT 

PROMENADE explores place, environment & the natural world through multidisciplinary contemporary arts & socially engaged practice. New artist commissions & engagement activities will form a weekend programme of artworks, happenings, workshops, walks & talks rooted in WSMs unique coastal landscape, to consider an ecology of place, and our relationship with the environment we live in. 

A programme of location-specific artworks, activities, and happenings taking place along the coastline and Weston’s seafront promenade between Marine Lake and Birnbeck Pier. 

We recommend looking on the Promenade website and watching the short film of the 2023 Promenade Weekender HERE to get an idea of the kind of work we are interested in. 

Artwork at Promenade 2023. Photo credit Josh Lomen

‘Sea like a Mirror’ is an ambitious national partnership programme, commissioned to co-incide with the 200th anniversary of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI). At the heart of the programme is a newly commissioned artwork, White Horses, by Ivan Morison, from the collaborative practice of Heather Peak and Ivan Morison, exploring our complex relationship with the sea  and the many roles it holds for coastal communities. Combining sculpture, 16mm film and music, this travelling work will be immersed in the stories and experiences of RNLI crew and local people with a deep connection to the water. 

In dialogue with this artwork, locally commissioned artworks aim to open conversations around wellbeing, the changing landscapes and identities of seaside towns, the spiritual role the water holds for communities, and the differing relationships to the sea in diverse coastal settings.

APPLY

Join an online Q&A to find out more about the project, application process and ask any questions you may have on February 3rd 6.30-7.30pm: HERE

Please complete the application form: HERE

*If you require any access support to apply for this commission, please contact: sam@superculture.org.uk  

Artwork at Promenade 2023. Photo credit Josh Lomen

TIMELINE

  • Online Q&A session: 3 Feb, 6.30-7.30pm 
  • Deadline for proposals: 28 Feb midday
  • Decisions: 14 March
  • Site-visit: 24 March, 5-6.30pm 
  • Project development: April & May
  • Works ready: 30 May
  • Install: w/c : June 
  • Promenade: 5-8 June 

Successful commissioned artists will attend an in-person site-visit to meet each other, and the project producer, to explore the location for the Promenade weekender in order to develop their artworks. 

The micro commissions are funded by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority Place Partnership fund, and produced by Super Culture in association with Cement Fields and Promenade. 

 

ONLINE: 

Promenade website

Promenade Instagram

Super Culture website

Cement Fields website