Visual Art – call for submissions for Hidden Door 2023
October 31, 2022
Our call for visual art is now closed for 2023. Thanks to all who applied.
Hidden Door Festival is taking place from 31 May – 4 June 2023 and we are looking for visual artists who would like to contribute to this event and be part of our programme.
Deadline: Friday 2nd December 2022, midnight
For our 2023 event, Hidden Door is planning something a little bit different…
We will be taking over a new space in Edinburgh which has never been used for the arts or creative events before, creating a five-day spectacular event that is even more immersive and atmospheric than any Hidden Door so far.
As with every event we produce, we will be using this to present a multi art-form programme, featuring visual artists, live music, theatre, dance and spoken word embedded into the experience, with the intention of supporting and shining a spotlight on exciting new and emerging creative talent based in Scotland.
Through bringing a range of art forms together, Hidden Door aims to generate a wide audience for the arts and create high-impact events, providing the opportunity for contributors to reach new audiences and meet and work alongside a diverse range of artists. By bringing to life disused buildings, we aim to create more space in the city for new things to happen providing an exciting way for audiences to access the incredible creative talent emerging in Scotland.
We are looking for visual artists who would like to contribute to this event and be part of our programme.
There are 2 categories you can apply for:
Pre-Existing 2D or 3D Works: We are looking for submissions of pieces of work that are already complete: these can be wall-based pieces, or free-standing sculptural pieces, or a series. We are not looking for installation work or projection-based work for these submissions. Each selected artist will receive a participation fee of £80 as well as free access to the festival.
New Graduates: This is open to new artists who graduated in the last 3 years (ie. in 2022, 2021 or 2020) from either a degree or postgraduate degree course from an Art College in Scotland. We are looking for works which already exist; either a degree show work, or another existing work which can be adapted and re-presented as part of Hidden Door Festival. We will also consider in-progress projects that are near completion. Each project selected will receive an artists fee of £500 as well as free access to the festival.
Theme
We are working with the theme of ENVIRONMENTS, and will be commissioning a series of multi-art form collaborative projects to create environments within our venue. For our visual art programme we are looking for quality, innovative pieces that also explore or relate to that theme in some way and which will work alongside our commissioned projects creating a coherent event and experience for our audience.
Key Dates
Call for Submissions Opens: 31st October 2022
Call for Submissions Closes: 28th November 2022
Artists Notified of Outcome: 15th January 2023
Install Dates: 17th – 28th May 2023
Festival Dates: 31st May – 4th June 2023
De-Install Dates: 5th – 8th June 2023
How to submit
See below for how to submit either Pre-Existing 2D or 3D Works or as part of the New Graduate call.
Pre-Existing 2D or 3D Works: Submission Guidelines
We are looking for submissions of pieces of work that are already complete: these can be wall-based pieces, or free-standing sculptural pieces, or a series.
We are not looking for installation work or projection-based work for these submissions.
Eligibility
This opportunity is open to Scottish based visual artists at any stage of their career working in 2D / 3D media, including, but not limited to painting, printmaking, sculpture, photography, drawing
Artists may submit up to three works in total to this category. Please note we are unlikely to accept more than one work.
Unless part of a diptych/triptych etc, each artwork counts as one submission.
You can submit a series or collection of small works as a single piece of work.
Provide a 25 word description of the work that you are submitting.
Include details of the work you wish to submit. Please ensure all artwork details are correct – titles, mediums and dimensions submitted at this stage will be used for labels and online marketing.
Explain how your work relates to the theme of ‘Environments’.
Once you have finished the form, we then ask that you email images of each work to visualartproposals@hiddendoorarts.org
Image files should be .JPG and should ideally be between 500KB- 3MB in size. (Tip: If you are having problems uploading your images please use an image-editing app or software to resize your image to approximately 1600 pixels wide and then save as a new file)
Save your image files with your name and the title of your artwork as the file name, eg YourNAME_Untitled1.jpg
For unframed 2D works, please send just 1 image of the work
For framed 2D works, please send 1 image showing the work, plus 1 image that also shows the frame.
For 3D works or a series, you can send up to 3 images to show the work.
All entries must be submitted through our online application process by midnight on 28th November 2022. Works submitted late will not be considered.
Participation Fees
Each selected artist will receive a participation fee of £80 which is to assist in covering the cost of delivery of works. Artists are to invoice for this fee after the conclusion of the festival. payment will be made within 30 days.
Artists will also receive a free pass for all 5 nights of the Hidden Door festival.
Delivery and Presentation of Works
Selected artists will be responsible for the delivery and collection of artwork to the Hidden Door Festival venue. The curatorial team will be responsible for hanging the works on the artists’ behalf.
Any specific requirements for presentation (eg plinths, shelves) should be outlined in the application process. Any specialist presentation aspects (eg perspex containers) should be supplied by the artist.
Any framed pieces should be professionally finished and ready with fixings and fittings to hang. Please include an image of the work framed with your application.
Whilst every possible care will be taken of works submitted, Hidden Door is not responsible for any loss or damage during the festival, and artists are advised to insure their own work.
Selection
We regret that due to the volume of submissions, we cannot offer feedback on the results of the selection.
Selection results will be emailed to the email address given in the application by 15 January 2023
We are looking for installation, film and performance works which relate to the theme of ‘Environments’. We encourage you to think about this theme broadly, whether this be responding to environmental issues, documenting the world, or creating new environments.
We are looking for works which already exist; either a degree show work, or another existing work which can be adapted and re-presented as part of Hidden Door Festival.
We will also consider in-progress projects that are near completion.
Eligibility
Open to new artists who have graduated in the last 3 years (ie. in 2022, 2021 or 2020) from either a degree or postgraduate degree course from an Art College in Scotland.
We will accept applications from artists who graduated from art school in Scotland but now live elsewhere. Please bear in mind that you will be required to be in Edinburgh to install your project at Hidden Door. Hidden Door will not cover any additional cost above the £500 artist fee towards travel and accommodation expenses.
Tell us which course you studied, where and when you graduated.
Provide a 50 word description of the work that you are submitting.
Write a more detailed description of this project, including aspects such as form, materials, scale, display, ideas.
Let us know if it will require any additional technical or set up assistance.
Explain how your work relates to the theme of ‘Environments’.
Once you have finished the form, we then ask that you email up to 6 images to visualartproposals@hiddendoorarts.org
Image files should be .JPG and should ideally be between 500KB- 3MB in size. (Tip: If you are having problems uploading your images please use an image-editing app or software to resize your image to approximately 1600 pixels wide and then save as a new file)
Save your image files with your name and the title of your artwork as the file name, eg YourNAME_Untitled1.jpg.
All entries must be submitted through our online application process by the stated deadline. Works submitted late will not be considered.
Fees & Materials
Hidden Door will pay participating artists a flat fee of £500 to cover their time to install work.
Artists will also be given full access to the Hidden Door Festival
In addition Hidden Door will provide some equipment for artists’ projects. This may include lighting, AV equipment and basic construction materials for installing the works such as timber, paint and fittings. These requirements will be discussed with the Hidden Door team once selection has been made.
The Hidden Door team will discuss with each artist the best way to look after each project and ensure it is kept safe and shown to its best advantage throughout the festival. However, whilst every possible care will be taken of works submitted, Hidden Door is not responsible for any loss or damage during the festival, and artists are advised to insure their own work.
Installing Work and Take Down
Each selected artist is responsible for delivering their project, and ensuring it is finished and ready for the opening of the Festival.
Participating artists should be available for a sufficient number of days between 17th May – 28th May to carry out the install, and between 5 – 8 June to de-install their work. During these dates the site will be accessible from 10am – 8pm. (These exact dates/times may be subject to alteration, but as much notice as possible will be given).
If you need practical help for the install, our team of volunteers will be available to help with build and space preparation where needed.
Selection
We regret that due to the volume of submissions, we cannot offer feedback on the results of the selection
Selection results will be emailed to the email address given in the application by 15 January 2023
