HOME and their academic partner SODA are looking for a UK-based freelance Creative Technologist to collaborate with for the next two years.
HOME will use the period of organisational recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic to re-think their role as a contemporary arts centre in the context of the changing needs of their city and audiences. As we do this, we are seeking the active input of a Creative Technologist to act as a provocateur and to help us develop future practice for contemporary multi form art centres.
The Fellowship is designed for a UK-based freelance Creative Technologist with a proven specialism in work that is conceived, created and distributed digitally. Someone who wants to evolve their creative practice and have an impact on a leading multi-art form organisation at a significant stage in its evolution of both artistic practice and audience engagement. This is an opportunity for meaningful creative intervention; helping shape a new, integrated digital programme for HOME alongside its physical exhibitions in conversation with HOME’s Curator.
At SODA, you will have the opportunity to enrich the insights and connections you develop at HOME with students and staff and to meaningfully connect digital curatorial programming at HOME with the teaching programme at SODA.
The HOME/SODA Fellow will be commissioned to:
- Design and lead the delivery of two creative projects over two years within HOME that are conceived, created and distributed digitally in non-physical space or take a blended delivery approach that prototype new ways of engaging audiences in the artistic work and ideas that are rooted in HOME’s core purpose and values. These could be in partnership with resident artists or visiting artists.
- Be a core team member of two SODA Co-Lab industry research projects over two years that work with arts industry partners and SODA academics and students that prototype new ways of engaging audiences in the artistic work and ideas.
- Act as an advisor in the development of HOME’s digital strategy
- Act as an advisor to SODA’s creative technology team
What we’re looking for
- UK- based applicants who
- Consider their practice and work to be in line with HOME’s ambition to push the boundaries of form and technology: to experiment, be bold and take risks.
- Have a track record of creating digital artworks on a national and/or international level.
- Have knowledge and enthusiasm for digital culture and art in the UK and internationally.
- Are working with emerging technology fields with demonstrable results in creating innovative experiences.
- Have delivered projects at different stages of digital R&D moving projects from beta and development to execution and delivery.
- Have established national and international contacts and networks with practitioners and artistic leaders in digital art and creative tech communities.
- Can demonstrate a genuine, clear commitment and understanding of cultural diversity, representation, engagement and access.
- Work across art forms and collaborate with artists working in a range of disciplines.
- Are used to working in multi-disciplinary teams (including designers, developers, curators, performers) to deliver cross art form experiences.
- Are good with people and highly collaborative.
- Are interested in the social and political landscape and the place of artists within it to make work responding to this.
- Have high level skills in web technologies and frameworks for prototyping.
We particularly welcome applications from those currently under-represented in the industry as a result of barriers arising from social, gender, financial, ethnic, cultural, geographic or educational factors or disability.
What we’re offering:
- A fee of £12,000 per year for two years.
- Annual project development budget of £8,000 for two years.
- Use of HOME for R&D workshops and project delivery within the programme schedule.
- Support from one of HOME’s producers.
- Access to SODA technical facilities and MMU library.
How to apply and further details:
We have been working with the National Freelance Taskforce to look at our application process. In response to their feedback, we are changing the way artists will apply for commissions and freelance roles at HOME. There is now a two-step process;
- Step One: Complete an Expression of Interest and Monitoring form
Deadline: Mon 12 April
We are asking initially for brief expressions of interest via this short form. The form has an option to submit your answers via video or audio. To prepare your answer feel free to download the form questions in advance.
HOME, SODA and employed freelance artists will shortlist around 10 applications to take to Step Two. Unfortunately, we will not be able to offer any feedback on stage one applications. If you would like an informal conversation about the role ahead of submitting an expression of interest please email Jennie McCusker
Shortlisted Applicant will be notified by Tue 20 April 2021.
- Step Two (shortlisted applicants only)
The shortlisted expressions of interest will be invited for an interview with the panel. These artists will each receive £50 to prepare that second stage. All applications at this stage will receive detailed feedback collated from the Panel discussions.
Applicants will be informed of the panel decision by end of May 2021.
Photo credit: A photo of Eye by Tony Tasset. Photo by Gerax Sotelo on Unsplash