Commissioning
Attenborough Arts Centre wants to work with artists and companies who actively engage audiences in ways that break down barriers to access. We are committed to offering commissioning opportunities to support selected artists to take creative risks and develop new ideas before creating work for presentation or touring.
Commissioning Work
Commissioning might include the subsidized use of our facilities to rehearse and develop ideas, seed funding or larger scale investment to support wider touring.
Not all commissions will necessarily be focused on achieving a completed art work. We recognise that artists sometimes need support to explore creative processes without the pressure of working towards a clearly defined outcome. We do not take a ‘one size fits all’ approach to commissioning, and will work with artists to identify the type of support that will best fit their individual development needs.
- Commissions advertised through a transparent and open application system with additional support available to meet specific access needs. These will be advertised on our Webpage and in other on line networks such as ACE Job Opportunities, Disability Arts on Line, Artist Newsletter.
- COVID-19 response commissions in both visual and performing arts in recognition of the financial challenges and lack of opportunities facing artists and performers.
- Visual arts commissions to support artists who have been disproportionately affected by lockdown and social isolation.
- Artists or companies whose work is known to relate to specific themes, issues, techniques or topics that relate to our main exhibition programme or particular Festivals, Showcases, Celebrations or Events.
- Artists or companies with whom we have established a long term relationship to support their professional development from emerging to established artists.
- Commissions linked to developing specific national and international links and partnerships through the exchange of work.
Our Commissioning Partners
Our Commissioning Priorities
We only have a limited fund for commissions each year so have made the following artist groups our priorities.
- Disabled and marginalized artists
- Disability led or inclusive companies
- Solo performers or companies wanting to actively engage disabled audiences
- Locally based solo performers or companies creating devised work
- Disabled and marginalised artists
- New work for inclusion in our exhibition programmes
- Artists and collectives seeking to develop work that actively tackles barriers to access
- Local and regional artists looking to take risks and further develop their practice
- Participatory artists with a commitment to co curation with young people
- Specific work created to engage CYP and or people with PMLD
- Commissions linked to enhancing the University Campus
- As part of wider student engagement or research projects
- To address historic under representation in the university collection
- New digital commissions that can support small scale companies and solo artists to reach new audiences
- Digital projects that can provide a high quality artistic legacy as part of a touring package to small scale companies
- Work that appeals to students
- Increasing access to disabled audiences
