EDITORIAL


Collaboration

Over the last twelve months collaboration in art practice has become an even more vital means for artists to not only realise their projects but to also offer much-needed support and kindness to each other during the current global pandemic. It’s been heartening to see so many projects come to fruition in a time of great uncertainty and anxiety. Many of these collaborations have happened online through email, video calls and social media, with artists cleverly adapting their practice areas to fit into these technology-based platforms. 

Since announcing our Digital Residency artists, we’ve been excited to have conversations with them about how their projects will develop over the coming months. Collaborative duo Kim Coleman and Jenny Hogarth will scrutinise the mechanics and methodologies of collaboration through the development of a new work in response to ‘If You Can’t See My Mirrors I Can’t See You’ a single channel video commissioned by Serpentine cinema in 2010. 

The theme of collaboration continues through our micro-commission programme with Kiara Mohamed and Niloo Sharifi who will be using bots and SMS technology to foster connections and hope in a time of social distancing. As well as Moa Johansson and An*dre Neely who will be exploring how collaboration can be achieved from working in two different cities (London and Berlin) through open-source software. 

Over the coming months we’ll also be using the theme of ‘collaboration’ to commission and programme other content across our site as well. 


In response to our digital residents Kim Coleman and Jenny Hogarth we've selected five artists for Five2Watch who have made work involving collaboration: Jo Clements, Lisa Evans, GAST, Tony Spencer and Christopher Pearson. 


This week in the Social Art Library...

Collaboration and its value in communities is at the heart of this project, The Margate Manifesto, recently submitted by Jemma Channing.

The Margate Manifesto was created through a series of workshops, focused on what people wanted to see happening in their town, aiming to highlight the issues affecting individuals and their hopes for the future regardless of their background. The discussions and creative work was bought together in a manifesto, which was performed throughout town and displayed in public spaces such as supermarkets, shops, galleries, libraries and other businesses.

You can read the full manifesto here.

As always, we're still on the lookout for new submissions to the Library. If you are an artist who works with people - or you work with artists who do - please do join us by sharing your own projects via the Social Art Library submission portal. It’s our ambition to create the first really comprehensive archive of documentation and stories from and about social projects. To find out more, check out our FAQs or get in touch if you have any questions: [email protected]


Due to the continuing uncertainty artists are facing as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, we are relaunching our Hardship Fund. The fund is to help our members who are facing significant financial hardship and who are unable to work, are disabled, a carer, or are on a low income.

As a small independent charity that does not receive public funding, we have initially made available a total fund of £5,000. Each week for five weeks we will distribute 10 x £100 awards

The deadline for Round 3 of the Hardship Fund is 4pm, 11 February 2021

If you would like to help support our members through the Hardship Fund, we would welcome a donation to our GoFundme page. The money raised will go towards matching the £5,000 we've already committed. All donations will be added to our Hardship Fund, with every penny going to artists in need.


CONTENT


RESIDENCIES

Digital Residency Recipients

Find out more about our Digital Residency and Micro-commission recipients


FEATURE

Five2Watch - Collaboration

Featuring five artists who have made work involving collaboration


FEATURE

Latest from the Social Art Library


FEATURE

Highlights

New Art Highlights of the week includes: Jayne Wilson, Sophy King, Robert Luzar and Andrew Howe.


SUPPORT

Apply for our Hardship Fund

Offering financial support for our members


DONATE

Donate to our Hardship Fund

Help support our members who are facing financial difficulties due to the coronavirus pandemic


PODCAST

Live Out Loud - Conversations with Artists

A collection of conversations with artists and creative practioners about specific topics. Published every week on our website, SoundCloud, Spotify, Apple, Google and Stitcher. 


RESOURCES

Help and Advice

We've created a list of links to resources and advice for artists and freelancers during the coronavirus pandemic.