Photographers to Lead Sessions Expired
Oxford, UK
Description
Since 2020, we’ve been gathering a group of creative people. They came together during lockdown to make art – writing, photography, and drawing. This group is now known as the Hidden Spire Collective. In 2021, they produced our Hidden Spire show, Atlantis, and in 2023, they produced two exhibitions, Ritual and Your Story. The collective is open to current and ex-Crisis members and anybody from the community over the age of 18 who is interested in being creative with others.
There is no membership fee to participate in the Hidden Spire Collective; however, those who can afford to donate anything from £1 - £100 directly to the Old Fire Station. The collective works together to create publicly shared artworks. These could be anything—poetry readings, plays, musical performances, or art exhibitions. The Hidden Spire Collective always decides together what kinds of artwork they make. Each project is facilitated by a Creative lead and led by a visiting professional artist. You can find out more here: https://www.hiddenspire.co.uk/
Job descripition:
We are seeking an emerging photographer/facilitator to lead 8 creative photography sessions for adults as part of the Hidden Spire Collective, exploring the theme of Hidden Histories. This project proposal has been shaped in response to the ideas shared by Hidden Spire Collective participants.
Theme - Hidden Histories: Some ideas that we have already discussed are;
- Untold stories - of families / hidden people
- Historical objects
- Empty or historical shops or buildings, and what they used to be and what they are now - - - Second-hand / previously worn clothes or accessories and who they previously belonged to
Workshops: Workshops will use both photography and writing to explore the theme of Hidden Histories. Each session will be cofacilitated by the photographer alongside the writer. How this is shaped and structured will be planned together. For example: A walk around Oxford taking photographs Writing in response to found photographs Taking photographs of contemporary scenes of Oxford found also in historical photos Making an artwork collaged from multiple photographs.
Project Logistics:
Aim: For each individual to explore the theme through combined writing and photography workshops, and to have the opportunity to create something which they could share in an exhibition and live event. This could be performing/reading a piece of writing, and/or exhibiting a photograph they have taken.
Participants: Approximately 12 participants in each session. Adult members of the Hidden Spire Collective from across the Oxford/shire community, including current Crisis Members (homeless / vulnerably housed adults, who will be supported to engage by Crisis staff). Some people will have participated in the Hidden Spire Collective in 2023, others will be new to the Collective. We aim to be as inclusive as possible, including welcoming new members to join at any point throughout the project therefore attendance may not be consistent.
Sharing: An exhibition of work created, including at least one piece of everyone’s work. Participants could also be invited to talk about their work, read and/or perform a piece of writing created in the workshops. Equipment available for each session: 7 laptops Approx. 7 Canon & Sony DSLRs plus the potential to borrow some more. There is also the potential to purchase enough disposable cameras for the whole group. Participants could use their own smartphones to take photographs. However, not all participants may own a smartphone. Workshop activities should consider the limitations of the equipment available. Given the number of laptops available, more time should be given to the skills needed to take a photograph (composition/lighting/focus, etc) rather than computer-based editing.
The project will run for 10 sessions, including a finishing-off session, sharing event, and evaluation session. The sessions will take place in the Art Room at the Old Fire Station on Wednesdays from 2.15 to 4.30 pm
About you:
The selected artist must be skilled at collaborating with other artists (including other lead artists and artist participants) and open to a co-creating process. The Hidden Spire Collective aims to be as co-creative as possible, with participants collectively shaping the projects they participate in, and the artwork they create.
As the lead artist, you will need to be an emerging photographer/facilitator and have :
- Adaptability to respond to individual ideas alongside having a structured and organised approach to leading a group
- Experience leading creative sessions
- Experience engaging and working with people with different levels of skill, experience, and knowledge
- Experience of collaborating with others to work towards a final outcome
- Excellent verbal communication skills
- Excellent time management skills
- A passion for making art accessible to everyone
Desirable;
- Former experience of working with vulnerable adults, including the vulnerably housed and homeless, and/or adults with additional needs such as mental health, neurodivergence, and (dis)abilities. You will need to live within easy traveling distance of Oxford.
Pay:
Artist Fee £1325 Fee for leading co-facilitating workshops. £128.125 x 8 sessions (including planning, delivery, set up, and pack away) = £1025
Fee for attending meetings. £25 x 8 sessions of 1 hour (to debrief and discuss planning for the next workshop) = £200
Fee for sharing and evaluation sessions. £50 x 2 sessions (including attendance at the sharing event and evaluation session) = £100.
The total Artist fee for the full project is £1325
To apply send an email to the address shown after clicking the "apply" button. The email should include answers to the following questions:
What makes you the right photographer/facilitator for this position?
How will your creative skills and/or experience ensure you are the best artist to facilitate the Hidden Spire Collective group and collaborate with the rest of the team? Please give specific examples of previous creative work.
What creative approach might you take to respond to the theme of Hidden Histories?
What kind of activities and exercises might you lead across the 8 sessions?
How will you ensure the group is ready to exhibit a piece of work at the end of the project? How might your photography approaches interact with and inspire writing?
What experience or understanding do you have of working with people who face disadvantages?
What relevant work and/or life experience would inform your approach?
You are welcome to submit either: A written application of no more than 500 words per answer. Audio or video recording of your answers, lasting no more than 4 minutes per answer.
Deadline for applications 12noon on Wednesday, 24 April 2024 Interviews will take place on Wednesday, 1 May 2024
If you have any questions, please email: charneh.watson@oldfirestation.org.uk and rowan.padmore@crisis.org.uk
