Claire Webster Saaremets, 14 January 2017

Skimstone Arts Multidisciplinary Theatre Company,through Elevate Arts Council

funding, will be offering paid residences to support artists to ….?

What's the best way to create these residencies?

How can we advertise them to ALL artists and include those who may face barriers of

mobility, health, social class, sexuality/non gender?

Do we set themes and parameters? Or offer an open call to see who and how artists

respond?

Responses to creating ‘ a great residency’ from contributors included;

• Describe who Skimstone Arts so that artists can decide if they want to connect via

the residency

• Use accessible language that gives details about the residency that can include

agreeing the focus, understanding the space, support, resources, audience, possible

barriers, established and found opportunities etc.

The terminology of the call out is crucial to be clear and accessible.

The networks for advertising should include companies that already promote the

diversity of artists working with them.

Areas to consider are;

• Do we create a ‘theme’ or focus or allow complete freedom and see how artists

respond to the call.

• 2 x min video as an application with other formats including e.g. signing etc as the

application process

• positive communication around the relationship and offer e.g. to try out work with

new audiences, Artistic critique, production networks etc.

• How can artists utilise the creative hub that our studio is part of?

• How can the residency promote quality and what does this mean?

Considerations for artists include;

• Do you need a ‘Space to escape’ / Freedom to question/ devise or consolidate a

piece of work in progress?

• Who are or might your audiences be? Let's test this..

• How will the residency promote connectedness in the arts sector/ theatre/community

settings?

• What could happen beyond the residency.

I welcomed the contributions and the ideas and experiences that will help to shape up

a clear and hopefully exciting offer that can be given to those who haven't ever done

or had access to a residency before.

Tags:

quality, Audience development, artist support, promoting equality, artist residencies,

valuing diversity, space to think, Audience Development, making connections, Quality,

audience development