Call for Applications: bOlder 2021/22

Deadline for applications: 12 noon, Monday 29 November 2021

Are you a contemporary visual artist over 50 years of age living in Greater Manchester*?

Are you currently unemployed or economically inactive** and not a full time student?

Do you have a track record of recent activity as a visual artist?

Do you want an injection of critical and professional support to move your practice on to the next level?

bOlder 2021/22 is a talent development programme developed by Castlefield Gallery for contemporary visual artists aged 50+, funded by the European Social Fund Community Grants Scheme. It follows the successful bOlder 2019/20 programme, commissioned by GMCA as part of Great Place GM in 2019, and bOlder 2020/21, funded by the ESF Community Grants Scheme in 2020.

We welcome applications from artists working across mediums in the visual arts including, but not limited to: drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, sculpture, installation, artist’s film, moving image, sound, live art, public art, socially engaged practices, design and craft.

Each artist selected for the programme will receive support towards their costs of up to £250, 1-to-1 sessions with Castlefield Gallery Director Helen Wewiora and Castlefield Gallery Deputy Director & Curator Matthew Pendergast, coaching sessions with a qualified artist coach and professional development workshops.

* By Greater Manchester we mean Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford and Wigan. By visual arts we mean art forms including, but not limited to: drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, sculpture, installation, artist’s film, moving image, sound, live art, public art, socially engaged practices, design, craft.

** Economically inactive means not currently engaged in paid work and not actively seeking work. Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they are not in any kind of paid employment. If an applicant is registered with HMRC as self-employed, they must cancel that registration before being accepted onto the programme; this is a requirement of the European Social Fund. Applicants can be in receipt of benefits or pensions.

MORE INFORMATION AND HOW TO APPLY: 

bOlder 2021/22 Programme information and Guidance for Applicants (Word)

bOlder 2021/22 Programme information and Guidance for Applicants (pdf)

bOlder 2021/22 Application Form (Word)

bOlder 2021/22 Application Form (pdf)

Diversity monitoring survey

Covid-19 Pandemic 

We anticipate that bOlder 2021/2022 will start in December 2021 and at the moment we are planning for activities to take place face-to-face, subject to the Covid-19 situation. We are aware that some applicants may not be able to attend face-to-face sessions and where necessary we will arrange online access to the programme.

If you have access requirements that could be a barrier to applying or taking part in this programme, please contact Jane Lawson at associates@castlefieldgallery.co.uk  or on 0161 832 8034. Our office hours are Tuesday–Sunday, 10am–6pm. Castlefield Gallery offices are closed on Mondays.

Access, Equality and Diversity

Should we have to deliver sessions online, we are aware that not everyone has internet access and access to IT equipment at home, and will take steps to make sure that this is not a barrier to anyone’s participation.

Castlefield Gallery is committed to the promotion of equal opportunities in all aspects of our work, including management, employment practices with both paid workers and volunteers, access to services and service provision. Castlefield Gallery fully supports the principles of equality and diversity. Castlefield Gallery recognises that certain groups and individuals in society are disadvantaged due to discrimination directed against them. We aim to remove any barriers, bias or discrimination that prevents individuals or groups from realising their potential and to develop an organisational culture that positively values diversity.

Castlefield Gallery is fully wheelchair accessible and assistance dogs are welcome on site.