Status Lab is a new opportunity for socially engaged artists who are actively responding to the current societal landscape.

The inaugural six participants, and venue partners, will be on a mission to uncover new strategies within the creative process, develop responsive platforms and create new artworks to seed new creative ideas.

● What does it mean to create work in the now?

● How do we understand where we are today?

● What performance speaks to the needs of our community in immediate ways?

● When do we need time to reflect?

● When do we need the tools or platforms to act?

Status Lab will support the work of two artists from Ireland, two artists from Switzerland and two from the UK (Manchester area), to take part in a collective residency process across all three countries together. These 6 artists will consider the above questions, whilst developing both individually and collectively.

Artists will work remotely with each other and within specific communities over 11 months, punctuated by three 1-week residencies in each location - meeting locally with activists, artists, policy makers, teachers and community members.

Participants will grow their own arts practice while activating local conversations about issues such as healthcare, housing, poverty, climate, human rights and more.

At the end of the six months, all artists will share their work in progress, or the beginning of their ideas as part of SICK! Festival in Manchester.


Your Application

How to Apply

To be considered, please complete this form and upload two documents, marked with your full name:

Application:

• Artist Bio (Max 200 words): Tell us who you are and your approach to art and socially engaged practice.
• Initial Concept (Max 300 words): A brief description of your vision for a new or developing socially engaged project that you would like to explore.
• Community Details: information on the community that you intend to work with throughout the programme and residencies.

Portfolio:
A single PDF or link to your website showcasing 3–5 relevant previous works.

Selection Process

Proposals will be reviewed by a panel consisting of representatives of SICK! and Project Arts Centre assessed based on:

• Relevance of Project and idea
• Feasibility and Community connection
• Experience of socially engaged work
• Composition of final group
• Clarity of expression of interest

If you have any issues uploading your statement or video please contact info@sickproductions.org