CALL FOR APPLICATIONS – 2018

What is ACBC?

Are you a visual artist looking to jumpstart your professional career? What you need is boot camp. The Artists’ Career Boot Camp is an exciting new opportunity for artists looking to fully immerse themselves in what it takes to manage their careers effectively.

A first in South Africa, it is designed to empower new artists with the critical skills to get serious about a career in the visual arts. It will train you to engage directly and confidently with market platforms to promote sustainability in your careers and professionalism in your practice.

The programme is designed as a launch pad to enable artists who are ready to enter the market at a professional level, the opportunity to develop the knowledge they will require, as well as prepare a professional portfolio of work.

Art Source South Africa hosts it in association with the Bag Factory and with the support of the National Arts Council.

In an intensive three-month programme artists will receive professional practice training on topics such as marketing, pricing, engaging galleries and other critical areas from experienced trainers, and direction from industry specialists. Each participant will receive one on one coaching and mentorship around a defined career goal, as well as critical and practical engagement with their body of work. The Boot Camp will have three intensive contact weeks over three months, setting step by step goals for participants to work towards in the time between contact weeks.

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This opportunity is for visual artists who have been developing their practice and their artistic voice for at least 3-5 years and who are committed and ready to take the next step in their careers.

There are two streams of applications:
1. Fifteen fully sponsored positions
Delegates aged between 20-35 years
Preference will be granted to previously disadvantaged individuals

2. Five paid positions:
Delegates under the age of 35, whose appropriate level of practice and commitment, will be demonstrated in their application submission

Selection Criteria:
To be eligible to apply for this programme the artist must be:
• Aged between 20 – 35 years
• Able to commit to the full duration of the programme and be available for the all contact weeks. (Employed artists may apply but need to confirm how they can attend the mandatory contact weeks)
• Have a minimum of 3 years artistic practice experience
• Producing work that conforms to a contemporary genre
• Producing work showing a high technical and conceptual standard

Applicants will be shortlisted for an interview to assess their readiness for this programme and will be notified in writing of the outcome.

The independent selection committee comprises of professionals who are informed about the programme and are familiar with the contemporary visual arts sector and rigours of an art career.