Feature - Page 12 of 32 - a-n The Artists Information Company

This month: Alex Hetherington and Janie Nicoll

Frances Lord pulls together themes and strands that emerge from sixteen newly-commissioned interviews, which reflect the sheer diversity of working practice within the applied arts.

Kent, and the Kent Coast in particular, has become host to a series of contemporary art festivals and international events.

Sarah Craske & Stacy Keeler, The Womens’ Land Army, found materials, plant and performance. Commissioned by Margate Rocks 08.

In the second part of our focus on open studio events we profile four organisations providing space as well as the opportunity to exhibit and sell.

In early April 2008, fifteen artists from around the UK took part in a research visit to Lille, France, entitled ‘The Artist as Social Entrepreneur’.

Michael Brennand-Wood, Flower Head – Narcissistic Butterfly, 60x60x40cm, 2005.

Open studio events are an insight into how artists make work, giving a very different perspective from seeing finished works in a gallery setting or a commissioned piece in a public space. Here we take a look at some of the studios opening their doors over the next few months.

Kristina Johansen reports on her multiple visits to Glasgow International 2008.

To preface a new ongoing series exploring relationships between artists and their collaborators, we asked some of today’s most interesting curators for insights into their practices.

This article by Furtherfield.org founders and Directors Ruth Catlow and Marc Garrett was originally published in Coding Cultures: A Handbook, commissioned by Francesca da Rimini and d/lux/MediaArts in 2007. Catlow and Garrett discuss the origin and mission of Furtherfield.org and how its participatory platforms are art production tools.

With reference to the production of inter-disciplinary visual arts, Charlotte Frost indicates the types of activities involved, art forms which respond well to this style of collaboration and some of the difficulties experienced by production agencies in working in this way.

Lesley Halliwell, 20 Assorted Colour Inks (Burnt Sienna), 45x40cm, biro on paper. Photo: Peter Hope.

Developing your practice and career beyond the UK

Are you thinking of applying for a grant or award? Over £2.3m was openly offered in these categories through a-n’s Jobs and opportunities last year. As it’s a highly competitive activity, we’ve compiled this guide to making applications, including some ‘top tips’ from a range of experienced artists, curators, and arts professionals…

Jennifer Taylor, Untitled Installation, exhibited at Flowers East in the exhibition ‘Says the Junk in the Yard’, 2007. Courtesy: the Artist and David Roberts.

To celebrate the launch of Artists talking, Jane Watt explores the development of Projects unedited, a-n’s open space for artists’ blogs.

Colin Rose, Rain, stainless steel, water, Millennium Square, Sheffield, 2006. Commissioned by: Sheffield City Council as part of the ‘Heart of the City’ regeneration scheme

The UK boasts literally hundreds of visual arts competitions annually. Here, we look at some of the most significant opens and prizes on offer this year.

In this the second feature exploring strategies and approaches to commissioning art in the public realm, the focus is on regeneration and renewal and the role of agencies and consultancies.

Fiona Curran, Some Kinds of Weather Create Situations, acrylic on linen, 2007. Photo: Peter Hope

Exploring the roles and reasons of selected organisations dedicated to widening access to the visual arts through commissioning temporary and permanent interventions in non-gallery spaces in the first of a two-part feature.

David Hancock, The Shadow of Death, 2007, acrylic on canvas, 144x143cm.

Many artists aspire to permanent studio space, whether self-initiated or rented through a specialist organisation. Here, we explore some current options for artists and makers with the focus not only on developments in London but also elsewhere in England, Wales and Ireland.