Hackney WickED, the artist-led festival based around the Hackney Wick area of east London, has announced a series of bursaries and commission awards to artists for its 2014 edition, following news that it is to receive Arts Council England funding for the first time in its six-year history.
The non-profit organisation, which is run largely by volunteers and through community input, promotes local culture in Hackney Wick by providing a platform for artists in the area to showcase their work alongside established and international names. This year’s festival will take place 1-3 August.
Bursaries and commissions available include: 10 awards of £150 to support open studios – Hackney WickED is hoping to increase the number open studios from 70 to 150 for this year’s festival; three commission awards of £900 for ‘Roaming Artworks’ as part of an open call aimed at encouraging a DIY spirit of pop-up, spontaneous works; three awards of £1,500 for ‘Artwork Realisation Commissions’, to allow artists in the area to create large-scale site responsive works that attract new audiences – these will be placed in permanent locations following the festival; a £1,500 ‘Community Unification Commission’ to be developed across different venues during the festival in order to encourage local galleries and other partners to get involved.
Founding director and Hackney WickED curator Laura May Lewis said: “We are delighted to be recognised by the Arts Council England to commission a series of site-specific installations and roaming performances that will enhance the Hackney WickED Art Festival 2014 Art and Open Studios Programmes.
“This support is integral to Hackney WickED’s ambition to deliver exciting and diverse art programmes that benefit the artists involved and the local community, and that can be appreciated by a wide audience throughout the festival.”
Hackney WickED Art Festival, 1-3 August, various venues, Hackney Wick and Fish Island, London. www.hackneywicked.co.uk/
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