LIBERTY 2022 IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LEWISHAM’S BOROUGH OF CULTURE (LBoC)

OPEN CALL: RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT GRANTS

Mayor of London is offering funding towards Research & Development projects by London based D/deaf, disabled and neurodivergent artists or organisations.

The arts projects will be suitable for outdoor, indoor spaces or site-specific, with the aim to present at Liberty, as part of Lewisham’s London Borough of Culture 2022 programme.

Research & Development projects will be developed over 2021, with potential work- in-progress presentation at the Opening Event of Lewisham’s Borough of Culture in January 2022.

The grant funding available is for projects ranging from £3,000 to £10,000.

ABOUT LIBERTY

Liberty is the ’s flagship festival of high-quality work by D/deaf and disabled artists. The annual free festival offers an inclusive, accessible and cultural experience for everyone. It has been presented by the Mayor of London since 2003 in high profile locations including , Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and Southbank Centre.

Following the cancellation of the Festival in 2021 due to Covid-19, Liberty 2022 will complement Lewisham’s exciting programme of events as part of their London Borough of Culture 2022.

ABOUT LEWISHAM’S LONDON BOROUGH OF CULTURE 2022

Lewisham is known for its rich mix of green spaces, business, cultural organisations and thriving independent neighbourhoods. It is proud of its diversity, energy, creativity and resilience.

Lewisham’s London Borough of Culture programme, CULTURAL ACTIVISM, will harness the passion and creativity of the cultural sector through these themes: · We will protect this place we love – a call to action on climate change · We are strengthened by our diversity – a celebration of our Borough of Sanctuary · We will be happy here – a commitment to building an inclusive society · We are Lewisham – working together to deliver change.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We welcome ideas from London based D/deaf, disabled and neurodivergent artists and organisations at all career stages to create or adapt work which is engaging and thought-provoking.

All artforms are welcome - music, visual art, comedy, poetry, street theatre and dance, digital art and participatory installations.

We are interested to hear your ideas as follows:

• Ambitious and original work, with a clear creative vision;

• Arts, cultural activities including events, performances, exhibitions, talks, walks, workshops. These activities need to be suitable for presentation in a range of contexts, including stages, the street, dance floors or grass.

• Performative and installation projects which link with and respond to Lewisham, its people and communities. For example, projects that could be suitable for shops, market stalls, hairdressers and businesses.

• Family friendly creative workshops and opportunities for inclusive public participation.

• Digital projects and interactive installations with a focus on digital participation.

• Able to be presented/represented in some form during January 2022 with the possibility of being developed as part of the Liberty Borough of Culture partnership later in the year into full touring works.

We are seeking artists who push boundaries, bring quality, innovation and ambition to their work. Artists who want to challenge perceptions of how culture can be performed and experienced for the widest range of audiences.

If your application is successful, you will be invited to share your project’s work-in- progress as part of Lewisham’s London Borough of Culture Opening event in January 2022. There may also be other opportunities to showcase your future project outcomes across London.

KEY CRITERIA

• Artistic Quality: Strength of artistic/conceptual idea

• Context Specific: Relates to Liberty and Lewisham London Borough of Culture artistic goals.

• Ability to engage diverse audiences and particularly D/deaf and disabled communities

• Financially viable (within the grant offered, or with likely match funding) and the delivery timescale is realistic and achievable.

WE ARE NOT ABLE TO SUPPORT PROJECTS THAT

• Are for private gain or result in a profit.

• Are inaccessible or not open for all to engage with;

• Have a primary focus in promoting a particular political or religious view.

HOW TO APPLY

Please complete the application form and submit this by email by 17:00 on 30 June 2021.

In the application form, you will need to: • Confirm your eligibility • Tell us about you and your work • Describe your project goals • Provide a budget breakdown.

Please send the completed application form by email with subject heading: FAO Linda Rocco – Liberty 2021 to [email protected]. Applications can also be made in the form of recorded video or audio (maximum duration 5 minutes).

If you have any questions, please email [email protected] or call 07482079208.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

All applicants will be contacted in July.

If your proposal is shortlisted, you will be invited for an online interview with representatives of the Authority and London Borough of Culture and the Liberty Creative Producer.

We will endeavour to get back to anyone who requests feedback within a month.

FAQ:

When and how will shortlisting decisions be made? The selection panel will shortlist applications in July 2021.

The selection panel includes representatives from the GLA and LBoC, Liberty Creative Producer and members from the Liberty Advisory Group.

The shortlisted applicants will be called for interviews in August 2021.

Can I/we apply if I live outside of London? No. The funding is for London-based artists or organisations only.

Will I/we be supported to engage with Lewisham’s context through the R&D?

Successful applicants will be supported through the process to make connections with Lewisham and engage with its communities as appropriate.

How many submissions can I/we make? You can be the lead applicant in one application only.

Can I/we be named in other applications? You can also be mentioned as delivering partner within two other applications.

How competitive is the opportunity? We expect to receive a large number of high-quality applications, and we will not be able to fund all the good applications we receive.

We aim to fund a minimum of seven projects.