Margaret Tait Residency 2023 | Open Call for Applications
Closing date 7 November 2022
LUX Scotland is pleased to announce that applications are now open for the Margaret Tait Residency 2023. This opportunity is for emerging artists working with film and moving image to develop their practice, delivered in partnership with the Pier Arts Centre, Orkney, and backed by The National Lottery through Creative Scotland. The selected artist will be provided with time, space, freedom and support to concentrate upon the development of their work without the demand for public presentation.
Watch the BSL version here
Deadline for applications is Monday 7 November, 5pm.
The Margaret Tait Residency builds upon the legacy of the residency delivered by Glasgow Film in 2012 – 2014. Aimed at emerging artists working in film and moving image with up to 5 years professional experience, the residency provides time and support for developing work and practice without the demands of deadlines or public presentation. The residency will take place at the Pier Arts Centre’s newly renovated facility Linkshouse – Orkney Arts Residency for up to 6 weeks with an artists’ fee and accompanying travel and access support funds. The residency will take place between October 2023 and March 2024. Applicants should take these dates into consideration when applying.
The residency supports artists wishing to focus upon specific projects as well as those keen to develop new ideas without the demands of deadlines or public presentation. The selected artist will have a tailored package of support from LUX Scotland and the Pier Arts Centre, with the option of presenting outcomes of the residency with Glasgow Film. This package includes a budget for mentoring and training.
Eligible artists are invited to apply through an open call process. Shortlisted artists are then asked to present a proposal for the residency and paid a fee for their time.
The selection panel for the Margaret Tait Residency is comprised of Sarah Forrest, Glasgow based artist and previous Margaret Tait Residency recipient; Jesse Mpango, curator and co-founder of Ajabu Ajabu Audio Visual House, Tanzania; Kari Adams, Curatorial Assistant at the Pier Arts Centre, Orkney; Eve Smith, Learning Programme Manager at LUX Scotland;and Sarah Smyth, Screen Officer at Creative Scotland.
The selected artist will be announced at Glasgow Film Festival 2023.
The recipient of the Margaret Tait Residency 2022 was Matthew Cosslett and previous residents include Florrie James and Sarah Forrest, who undertook the previous iteration of the Margaret Tait Residency in 2012 – 2014.
Who can apply?
- Artists who are based in Scotland.
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Artists who have been developing film and moving image work as part of their practice over the past 0 – 5 years and who would benefit from this dedicated period of time and support. 0 – 5 years does not have to be consecutive years of practice and can begin from a point in an artist’s career that is deemed to be the beginning of their working practice.
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There is no age restriction.
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Artists do not have to have been in formal education, attended art school or university.
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Collectives, groups and collaborations are eligible as long as there is demonstration of working collectively over a sustained amount of time. Please note, the artists’ fee would remain the same in this instance.
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We regret that we cannot accept applications of artists who are currently students.
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Artists cannot be nominated for the Margaret Tait Award and apply for the Margaret Tait Residency. If artists are nominated for the award and have already applied for the residency, we will ask artists which opportunity they would prefer to pursue.
To apply, please send the following information:
- Up to 200 words on your work and how the residency would impact your practice.
- A link to one online example of your work. Please include passwords if applicable.
- A completed equal opportunities form. This will be kept separately from the application and remain anonymous.
How to apply?
Applications should be sent by email only to [email protected]. Please include the information required in the body of the email.
Applications are assessed by a panel of artists and professionals from across the fields of the visual arts and film. Shortlisted artists are then asked to present proposals for the residency, with an accompanying artists’ fee.
Deadline for applications is Monday 7 November, 5pm. The shortlist will be notified in December 2022. The recipient of the Margaret Tait Residency will be announced at Glasgow Film Festival in March 2023.
The visual arts sector in the UK currently does not reflect the communities in which it works. LUX Scotland is committed to addressing this through all aspects of its work and we particularly welcome applications from artists from Black and other global majority backgrounds, from low income backgrounds and disabled people.
Support in making an application:
Video or voice recordings are welcome in place of a written application. Please send the following:
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Up to 2 minutes of video/voice recording on your work and how the residency would impact your practice. Please send this as an attachment or link.
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A link to one online example of your work. Please include passwords if applicable.
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A completed equal opportunities form. This will be kept separately from the application and remain anonymous.
Applications should be sent by email only to [email protected].
If you have any questions or require support, please contact Annie Crabtree, Project Manager, on [email protected] or by telephone /text on 07394 042450.
Shortlisted artists have the following support available:
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The presentations for shortlisted artists will take place on Zoom individually.
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BSL interpretation and live captioning is available.
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Funds for mobile data and /or support for internet connection is available.
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Questions from the panel will be provided in advance of the meeting.
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Artists will be contacted individually to submit their presentations and the LUX Scotland team will work with you to devise the best way for you to present your proposal. This can include, but is not limited to, presenting a pre-recorded video, a slide show presentation, or providing links to example works.
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Shortlisted artists will be paid a fee of £302.80 for their time in making and presenting their proposal for the residency. This fee is calculated at Scottish Artists Union rates.
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Upon notification, shortlisted artists will be asked if they have any access requirements to partake in the selection process, and we welcome shortlisted artists to submit access riders if they have them.
The selected artist will have the following support:
The residency comes with an artist fee of £152.21 per day (based on SAU new graduate residency salary for 2021/22).
The residency comes with tailored access support and travel funds for the recipient, which will be discussed individually with the selected artist. The 6 week residency can be divided into separate smaller stays or a 6 week consecutive residency to suit the needs and requirements of the artist.
Information Sessions
We are offering information sessions to discuss any aspect of the nomination and application processes. These 15 minute one-to-one meetings with a member of the LUX Scotland team are aimed at artists interested in applying for the Margaret Tait Residency 2023.
Further information and booking for our information sessions can be found here.
Booking for our BSL interpreted Information sessions can be found here.
Residency Facilities
Orkney Arts Residency is located at Linkshouse, a large detached property which is located in the rural parish of Birsay, on the North West coast of Mainland Orkney. Managed by the Pier Arts Centre, Linkshouse has recently been refurbished to a high standard.
The property includes space for 5 working artists to stay on a self-catering basis. Rooms are either double or twin, each having their own bathroom, one of which is on the ground floor with accessible en-suite facilities. There are three studio spaces which are allocated on a case by case basis. All guests have access to the communal living, kitchen, and outside spaces. Additional rooms may be available if required for an extra charge, depending on availability.
We recommend artists organise their own transport whilst on the island. However, Linkshouse is accessible by an infrequent public bus service from Kirkwall. The journey by bus takes approximately an hour, followed by a short ten minute walk. There is a small village shop a short walk from Linkshouse. Supermarkets, shops and restaurants can be found in Kirkwall and Stromness, with the Pier Arts Centre located in Stromness. There is on-site parking for residents with cars. Travel to Orkney from the mainland is either by plane or ferry. It is recommended that transport to Orkney and onward travel to Linkshouse is organised in advance.
The Pier Arts Centre’s staff are available throughout to assist, however, there are no on-site staff at the residency centre. Residents are always welcome at the Pier Arts Centre during opening hours.
Weather on Orkney is notoriously changeable, and the location of Linkshouse near the sea means weather conditions can be dangerous and changeable, as such residents should be flexible and come prepared for all weather conditions. There is WiFi at the property, however due to its rural location service can be intermittent. It is also recommended that guests check with their mobile phone provider regarding signal coverage in Birsay.
You can find more information about Linkshouse Residency Centre here.
If you have any questions or require support, please contact Annie Crabtree, Project Manager, on [email protected] or by telephone /text on 07394 042450.