Open Call for Members’ Proposals for ESW Summer Commission 2025

ESW Summer Commission 2025

 Open Call for Member Proposals.

The deadline for proposals is 6 September 2024 at 5pm.

ESW is seeking proposals from our membership for the 2025 Summer Commission. The Summer Commission showcases the work of the artists working with us to an international audience during August. Over the last few years, we have presented work that has been produced through the Residency Programme, the work of invited artists and this year we will exhibit the work of our first ESW Fellow, Sequoia Danielle Barnes.

For 2025, one of our members will have the chance to develop new work to be exhibited in either the Courtyard or the North Labs throughout August. Rather than choosing an artist from our membership without an open call, we have decided to ask for proposals from which a panel of international selectors will choose the successful applicant.

We are looking for ambitious and innovative proposals that will provide audiences with an engaging and stimulating encounter with contemporary sculpture. The production of the work will be supported by the ESW staff team, access to our specialist facilities and a generous production budget. The resulting exhibition will be part of Edinburgh Art Festival 2025, an amazing platform to present your work to an international audience. There will be an 11-month development period, fully supported by the staff team at all stages of the production.

 

Selected artist will receive:

  • A production budget of up to £5000
  • A fee of £1000
  • Work space at Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop, as required.
  • Production, support and training from our technical team.
  • Mentorship and support from our programme team.
  • Full access to the workshop equipment and facilities.
  • A publication to accompany the exhibition with commissioned text.

There is also the potential to access accommodation at ESW at times throughout the project.

 

To Apply

  • This opportunity is open to existing Members only, you must hold a current membership of ESW started prior to 31 July 2024.
  • Your application should be a PDF under 10MB and should include:
  • A proposal for an exhibition in either the Courtyard or the North Labs of not more than 750 words.
  • Up to 500 words articulating your artistic practice.
  • 8-10 supporting images with details of the proposed work (You can include links to your website and other works online).
  • No budget is required at this stage.
  • Please also tell us about other commitments you have over the next year and any access requirements.

Unfortunately, we will not accept proposals from staff members.

The deadline for proposals is 6 September 2024 at 5pm. (Previously this was 31 August 2024 at 5pm but we have extended it due to clashes with other funding deadlines for artists).

Email your application to dan@edinburghsculpture.org

If you have any questions or want to meet to discuss your proposal or receive this call out information in another format please contact Dan.

Timeline

  • 6 September 2024 – Application Deadline.
  • September 2024 – Selection panel. The selection panel will comprise external artists and curators with international perspective including Ashanti Harris, who has done residencies at ESW before and presented the 2022 summer commission; Kenny Hunter, artist and lecturer, who presented the 2016 summer commission; and Pablo Caligaris, Director of La Ira de Dios an independent non-profit institution in Buenos Aires, Argentina – a past residency partner for ESW.
  • November – December 2024 – Project development.
  • February – July 2025 – Production.
  • August 2025 – Exhibition.

View the Open Call as a printable PDF here