New opportunity for Barnsley Artists to Engage and Create

A new opportunity for Barnsley based creatives to make socially engaged artwork with communities.

Beam, in partnership with Barnsley Council, is inviting applications from Barnsley based creatives for the ENGAGE / CREATE Live Commission Programme, a unique opportunity to explore and develop socially engaged practice through delivery of a new commission.

ENGAGE / CREATE is part of Barnsley Council’s CDF Storying Barnsley programme, which aims to celebrate the stories and heritage of Barnsley and its people through creative and cultural activities. The ENGAGE /CREATE programme is being developed and delivered by Beam, a cultural development organisation working across the North of England, who take an inclusive approach to champion, celebrate and engage artists and communities to shape and animate thriving places.

The programme is looking for creatives who are inspired by people and place, and who are passionate about collaborating with communities to co-create new artwork. The selected creatives will each receive a commission fee of £4,000, and will receive mentoring, learning and support from Beam and other experts in the field of socially engaged practice. The programme will run from September 2024 to February 2025, and will culminate in a public showcase of the commissioned artworks.

The programme is open to creatives from any discipline, including visual arts, performing arts, music, film, digital media, literature and more. Applicants must be based in Barnsley, or have a strong connection to the area, and must have some experience of working with communities or groups. The programme is particularly interested in hearing from creatives who are underrepresented in the arts sector.

Cllr Robin Franklin, Cabinet Spokesperson in charge of Regeneration and Culture, said "We have an exceptional creative community in Barnsley and this is a unique opportunity for artists of all mediums to explore and develop socially engaged practice through delivery of a new commission, celebrating the stories and heritage of Barnsley and its people. There is so much to say about our town and its communities combined with a rich history, and we are delighted to be able to support artist in sharing these stories"

Frances Smith, Beam, said: "We're delighted to be developing the ENGAGE / CREATE programme, and supporting Barnsley based artists to develop their skills in working with communities to develop artworks inspired by the people and place of the area's fascinating Principal Towns. We look forward to working with the artists to develop their projects and to sharing the outcomes with the community in early 2025."

The deadline for applications is 9am on Monday 9 September 2024. To find out more about the programme and how to apply, please visit www.barnsley-museums.com/projects/storying-barnsley/engage-create-live-commission-programme or contact Beam at helen@beam.uk.net.