Timespan Digital Society Programme
Artist’s Job Description/brief
Background
The Timespan Digital Society Programme is designed to engage our elderly
community who have little/no access to new digital technologies through the
contemporary visual arts; empowering them to develop new relationships and take
ownership of their own projects.
It also provides a developmental opportunity for a digital artist – educator. We are
interested in the current growth in expanded practice amongst contemporary artists
and want to support an artist who wishes to develop their own work and/as socially
engaged practice. We have recently worked with Graham Fagen, Corin Sworn, Julia
Douglas and Jo Roberts in projects with partner closely with our local community.
Location –
Timespan is based in Helmsdale, a small coastal village on the NE Highland coast –
half way from Inverness to the North coast, in Sutherland (population 600). It has an
accredited museum and archive covering local built, environmental and cultural
history, a contemporary art gallery showing Scottish, UK and International artists, an
IT suite, wet workshop, artist studio flat, café and shop. Sutherland is a beautiful but
remote area, one of the least populated in Europe, and public transport is limited
(train and bus to Helmsdale from Inverness/the North). Timespan seeks to provide
outreach activity for other communities across the region.
We particularly like to support artists who can make best use of the local resources
and the rich local heritage as source material for their work, and will communicate
well with the local people. Two of our most recent artist residencies (Julia Douglas
and Jo Roberts) have worked across generations and evaluation from these has
shown a desire for our older community to connect with our programme on a more
meaningful level, plus where new technologies were used, this sector of our
community felt ‘left out’ or ‘detached’. This evidence, plus talks with Trust House
Sheltered Housing, Helmsdale Heritage Group and the Over 60s lunch club, has
helped shape this programme.
Programme –
This 20 month programme is designed to engage the older community across East
Sutherland with digital technologies through the contemporary visual arts. The
programme must be developed by the artist in partnership with the groups and
through conversations with them. Issues that need to be considered/addressed are:
What do the groups already do in their lives in Helmsdale and the surrounding area?
What did they used to do to form relationships with others in the local community?
Think about primitive technologies that don’t go out of date so easily and can be
easily understood.
There should be a focus on the idea of communication between people.
The key role of the artist is to ‘orchestrate change’ in the development of the life of
the community.
How would an artist visualise ‘connected-ness’? What creative approach could be
brought to looking at how people connect?
Plan visits and invite other contemporary artists to engage with the groups – talk
about their work, carry out workshops.
Create a programme of temporary projects on subjects of the participant’s choice,
reflecting their interests.
We aim to develop the participants' technical knowledge and confidence, increase
their knowledge of contemporary artistic practice, strengthen links between different
groups, develop creativity, skills, cultural identity and ownership of their own creative
outcomes. There will be a focus on the participants' experiences and knowledge of
the landscape in Scotland and how these have affected their lives; looking in-depth at
issues that are relevant to them and making local-global links around these issues.
Artist development –
50% of the time is reserved for the artist-educator’s own development. It is
anticipated that this will be a combination of making work and curating project/s. A
budget has been allowed for developing at least one curated exhibition of other
artist/s’ work, with the groups, and / or for an exhibition of the artist’s own work.
These projects are expected to take advantage of the resources available locally in
developing projects; using the location, the collection and the people of the area as a
research base. You may also select /commission artists from outside the area to
develop these ideas, budget allowing. This will form one of the 5 exhibitions per year
in the Timespan gallery
Community interaction
It is essential that the artist wants to engage with local older people and can
demonstrate interest and ability in this area. You will work in collaboration with them
in developing projects to meet their needs. You will be also expected to research
ideas in consultation with the local community and develop your own new work and
projects from this research.
Groups interested in working with a digital media artist are Trust House sheltered
housing, Helmsdale heritage group and the wider elderly community. You will
develop opportunities to work with other older community groups across East
Sutherland
The work produced is expected to be presented in varied and temporary venues:
Timespan’s gallery / website / the groups own location / site-specific installation (eg
the old salmon ice-house in Helmsdale), and performances.
Outcomes
An initial period of research with the groups and taster sessions will underpin a
development plan - this will propose specific outcomes and we do not wish to be
prescriptive at this stage. However it is likely that the outcomes will include:
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up to 4 communities and 50 participants having had direct participation with
the artist, of which up to 60% will work with an artist for the first time.
Up to 6 collaborative projects with older people
new work by the artist: artwork and curatorial project work
at least 1 exhibition in Timespan’s gallery and up to 6 other local installations
/projects/performances, a web-page, and a final publication
every project will have an aspect which develops the understanding and
enjoyment of contemporary practice by older people, and encourages their
engagement with digital technologies
Terms of residency
Artist’s own work
50% of the time is allocated to the development of your own work, and we will work
with you to arrange the scheduling of this time to meet both your needs, and the
needs of the community project. The remaining 50% for community interaction
includes up to 35% preparation and evaluation time, plus travel time where
applicable.
The post has been scheduled at 4 days pw equivalent to allow you time to undertake
other commissions / work. Commissions for other projects are considered additional
to this opportunity to develop your own work and time allowed for this. Scheduling to
support this should be discussed with your project manager.
Facilities and accommodation
We will do our best to help you in meeting your needs in relation to your work. An
allowance has been made to cover/contribute to these costs, dependent on your
needs. (The Timespan artists flat is used for temporary residencies and so is not
available for this longer term project).
Timespan has a dedicated workshop space and IT suite for community activities
which can be freely used for the project. We are currently partners on the AmbITion
Scotland programme and have upgraded the IT Suite with software such as final cut
pro, adobe creative suite, iMac and flip HD cameras. There is also a high spec
camcorder and camera available and this project has a budget for iPads for
community members. You will have a dedicated office space in the IT suite and
access to the workshop as required. You will also be expected to use the group’s
own meeting places and other community spaces as appropriate.
Support and administration
The line manager for this post will be Nicola Henderson, Director
A support/steering group will include a range of relevant expertise: a local artist,
board member, warden from Trust house sheltered housing, digital media expert.
Timespan will provide office and administrative support in access to photo-copier,
guidance on local press etc.
Hospitality
You will have a phone number for 24 hour contact for any problems that may arise
during your stay. Your immediate contact will be Nicola Henderson. You will also
have an early opportunity to meet other artists in the area.
Timescale
The residency will be for 20-24 months dependant on funding, based on 4 days pw
overall. Some weekend/evening work will be required.
Projected start date is projected as September 2011.
Budget
Fee £22,000pa pro-rata
Monitoring and evaluation
You are required to document the residency with written notes/feedback and visuals
(stills/film as appropriate); for use in reports and presentations. Equipment is
provided.
Your feedback is important to us – you will participate in regular discussion to
evaluate the residency and how well it meets the objectives of all involved:
troubleshooting and contributing to improving the process and outcomes. You will
complete regular interim updates, a report at the end of the research stage, six
monthly reports and a final report.
Experience
We expect you to be a professional, practising digital media artist creating
interesting, well-produced and presented work. This is a development opportunity for
you and we will be interested to hear why this is an appropriate point in your career.
You will have experience of working in community settings / with older people, or can
demonstrate that you have an aptitude for this kind of work. You are expected to be
interested in a socially engaged practice - an approach that engages in research and
discussion with local groups/ working with members of the local community to
collaboratively explore ideas and make work.
As you will potentially be working with vulnerable adults you will have to be aware of
our vulnerable adults protection policy, and will have, or be willing to have, full police
disclosure.
You will also be expected to give talks about your work at the beginning of the project
and later, about the work you have developed. Also presentations /talks on the
project – communication skills are important.
You may not necessarily have extensive experience - this is a developmental
opportunity – but it is essential that you are well-organised, have initiative and are a
self-starter as well as a good team worker; Timespan has an excellent team of
committed staff who work closely to develop collaborative opportunities.
To apply
Please apply in writing to: Nicola Henderson, Director
Timespan
Dunrobin Street
HELMSDALE
director@timespan.org.uk
01431 821327
Including:
1. letter of application indicating:
 why you are interested in this opportunity
 what your interest is in this area / resource
 why this is good timing for the development of your own work
 your experience/interest in working with older people, and any police
disclosure
 your ability to project manage, and be a team worker
2. appropriate supporting material to demonstrate the quality of your work – eg,
10 images on CDRom /video/written material of your own work / curatorial
projects.
3. CV
4. contact details for two referees – one must demonstrate your
interest/experience in working with older people
Deadline: 26th August
Interviews will be held: 1st September
Anticipated Start date: asap, from September