An open call for Devon-based photographic artist to make new work about Dartmoor.
This is an opportunity for a contemporary artist or collective based or working in Devon to create new work inspired by Dartmoor and the Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery’s collections of Dartmoor-related material.
As an artist working with photography, you will have a track record of exhibiting both nationally and in the South West. The selection panel is looking for work that engages with current issues affecting the communities and landscapes of Dartmoor, including the interconnected ecological and climate crises. You should currently employ photography within your practice but do not need to only use this medium.
RAMM’s programme of contemporary art exhibitions and commissions engage diverse audiences through a range of media and innovative installations. This commission will form part of an exhibition at RAMM in autumn 2024. Please consider how you might present your work for display and be mindful that the production and presentation budget for this commission is limited to a maximum of £2,500.
During the process of creating new work, you will have the opportunity to visit RAMM’s stores, be inspired by the museum’s collections and work with its curators.
RAMM is offering £6,000 for the commission fee in addition to the production budget. A fee of £300 will also be paid to each of three shortlisted artists to produce and present a proposal for the selection panel. More information about how the commission fee has been calculated and what it is expected to cover, including a suggested breakdown of daily rates, can be provided on request.
The selection panel will be made up of Lara Goodband, Contemporary Art Curator & Programmer at RAMM; Kate Best, Independent Curator and consultant on the forthcoming exhibition; and Jem Southam, photographer.
Application process
- Put together a maximum two-page expression of interest including an artist statement and explaining why you are interested in this opportunity
- Compile a portfolio of previous work with relevant links – include handles to social media pages. Please ensure your portfolio is shared as a PDF document and is no more than 5MB in size
- Submit the expression of interest and portfolio by email to [email protected] no later than noon on 22 May 2023
Commissioning schedule
May 2023 – Artists interested in the commission submit an expression of interest with artist statement and portfolio. We do not expect a detailed proposal.
June 2023 – Selection panel shortlists three artists, who are invited by email to produce a proposal for the commission
July 2023 – Shortlisted artists present and discuss their proposals with the panel
August 2023 – Selected artist begins the new commission
July 2024 – Artist completes the new work
Before you enter
Consider whether this is the right opportunity for you and your artistic practice at this time. There are many different open call opportunities for artists, each with a specific remit and timescale. Take a look at RAMM’s website to see the variety of ways in which the museum works with contemporary artists and other creative practitioners. Please note that the selection panel changes for every opportunity at RAMM.
Equality
As part of RAMM’s commitment to supporting and promoting diversity in creative practice, we will strive to implement reasonable adjustments to support any artists who face barriers in the selection process, irrespective of the reason.
This opportunity is made possible by Arts Council England’s National Portfolio Organisation funding.
Contemporary Art at RAMM
RAMM is Exeter’s world-class museum, with displays that reveal Devon and Exeter’s rich history and global connections. These stunning displays of extraordinary objects inspire artists to create new work. Recent projects include commissions by internationally-renowned artists Emma Hart, Florence Peake, Grace Ndiritu and Lucy Stein for the exhibition Earth Spells: Witches of the Anthropocene
Between 2018 and 2022 RAMM commissioned, acquired work by and exhibited the work of many artists, including several photographers, living and working in Devon and the wider South West region. This commission is open to artists who have not received a commission from RAMM during that period. For more information about the contemporary art programme see:
Contemporary art – RAMM (rammuseum.org.uk)
More information about RAMM
RAMM has a proven track record of making its collections accessible to a wide audience. In 2012 RAMM won the much coveted Art Fund ‘Museum of the Year’ award in recognition of the innovative and thoughtful way the collection was redisplayed. When presenting the award Lord Chris Smith described the galleries as, ‘some of the most intelligently considered displays on view in any museum in the UK’ demonstrating RAMM’s extensive interpretative skill that engages audiences of about 250,000 each year.
A flagship Exeter City Council service, RAMM attracts funding from other sources and is an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation.
