Parallel Perspectives
Open call for proposals
Located in very different environments, both Old Diorama Arts Centre (ODAC) and LEVEL are predominantly spaces for making and exploration, without performance spaces.
Together, we’re excited to announce Parallel Perspectives – a residency opportunity for disabled artists that provides two distinctly different locations in which to explore your work. From the hubbub of central London to the tranquil borders of the Peak District, we invite artists to spend some time in our studios, their environs and maybe the communities that surround us, and see what ideas take hold.
ODAC is an arts creation and community centre with Euston as its inspiration, collaborator and stage. Located on the edge of the Regent’s Place campus (off London’s busy Euston Road) and bordering the Regent’s Park Estate, ODAC is a shared home for the live arts, creative industries and local community to make, explore and meet. www.olddiorama.com
LEVEL is a contemporary arts centre in Rowsley, Derbyshire that celebrates the art that difference makes. Right on the edge of the stunning Peak District national park with a packed programme of visual art exhibitions and digital installations, alongside artists residencies and creative workshops. www.levelcentre.com
We’re interested in early stage contemporary ideas for performing arts based projects, including those that have never had time to be worked on, or from collaborations that haven’t had a chance to be tested yet. Proposals are welcome to respond to the location-based context of the partnership or our local communities, but there is no requirement to – though we hope it will be a useful and contrasting experience.
More information
What are we offering:
- Studio space in each centre: LEVEL and ODAC
- Space between August and December 2023
- A financial contribution of £4,000 to each project
- A small additional access budget
- Accommodation is not provided, but we can signpost you.
Who is it for:
By using the term ‘disabled person’ we include anyone who identifies as being learning disabled, disabled, D/deaf, neurodiverse/neurodivergent and those experiencing chronic illness, mental health conditions, and more.
We understand that different people prefer different terminology. You don’t have to prefer the term ‘disabled person’ to apply, we want to hear from the full diversity of disabled artists working across the UK.
How to apply:
- Complete the contact form
- Complete the equal opportunities monitoring form (optional)
- Tell us about our project proposal
- Upload any additional supporting material (optional)- no more than three examples e.g. website link, photo, video etc
- Who are you/your company?
- What is your project idea? Clearly explain your project idea for the two location residency.
- Why do you want a Parallel Perspectives residency and why might this be helpful to you? Explain how your practice could benefit from exploring ideas in a rural and urban context.
- Tell us what you have made before and who you have worked with
- What kind of future can you imagine for this project after the residencies?
- Written submission – no more than two sides of A4/500 words for learning disabled adults
- Video submission – no longer than three minutes
- Audio submission – no longer than three minutes
We want to make sure that this opportunity is accessible for everyone. If you have any questions, or need support to complete your application, please get in touch.
Email Daniel Pitt, Creative Director at ODAC, on artists@olddiorama.com or call 020 3951 9891 (feel free to leave a voice message).
Timeline:
- Applications open: 15 May
- Application deadline: 9am, Monday 3 July
- Interviews: 17 and 18 July (online) – please save the dates in case you are shortlisted
The shortlisting and interview process will include staff from ODAC and LEVEL Centre, alongside a freelance disabled creative. The panel is unable to provide feedback to applicants not invited to interview.
The 2022 Exhibition
“Being on the panel was a fantastic opportunity to explore the wealth of talent and get to know more about the visual art practices of learning disabled, neuro-diverse and disabled artists in the UK. The winning artists in 2022 created work that was wonderfully engaging and visitors to LEVEL were captivated by all the fantastic artwork in the exhibition.”
Panellist Damon Jackson-Waldock
The Arthouse in Wakefield