A PROJECT offering artists the chance to develop a piece of work during the summer and display their efforts as part of an “exhibition of ideas” at The Bowes Museum has proved hugely popular.
Just ten commissions, each worth £2,250, are up for grabs as part of the project, which is being run by the museum’s new centre for art, craft and design in collaboration with Durham Creatives, which helps artists develop their business.
About 80 people turned up to two fully subscribed workshops held at the museum last week.
Despite the project being “primarily of the North, for the North” and aimed at new and developing artists, Matthew Read, director of the centre for art craft and design, said interest had come from far and wide, including overseas.
“It’s been amazingly successful. It’s not a lot of money, but it’s quite a rare opportunity,” he said.
“These things don’t crop up in the north that often. Usually, artistic briefs are incredibly tight.”
The commissions will allow artists to use any media they wish.
Guidelines say their piece must reflect the museum – its collections or environment – and must not already be a finished work.
Applications must be submitted by March 29, after which a five-strong panel will chose the successful ten.
Commissioned artists will then have until October to come up with their piece – recording their progress throughout the summer.
To help they will attend a two-day residential workshop organised by Durham Creatives in May, with further seminars in September and October.
“This is the first time the museum has been involved in anything like this,” added Mr Read.
“We have tended to be reactive. This is the first time we have gone out in terms of new work and said bring it on.
“There may be some total disasters but out of it will come really great, inspiring ideas. If we see some different people in the museum, that’s a positive thing.”
Jane Shaw, of Durham Creatives, added: “I think this project is fantastic.
“It’s wonderful to have a commercial opportunity that also creates a platform for people to think about how they are going to develop their business practice. The Bowes Museum is such an amazing and iconic space – it is really good for people’s careers. The opportunity is worth so much more than the money.”
