The Penthouse: Might & Main Residency

Call for Artists

Might and Main is a project exploring the mechanisms and celebrating the outputs of the artist led- researching the importance of place and space to artistic production from Manchester city centre artist led studio and project space The Penthouse.

At the centre of Might and Main are 5 artist’s residencies taking place at The Penthouse project space. Artists are asked to carry out a residency project taking into consideration the situation of The Penthouse- this can be geographically, architecturally, physically, culturally, politically or otherwise. Artists are encouraged to explore the geographic environment of The Penthouse- looking outward past the rooftops into the city beyond our walls. Artist’s who work in an explorative and experimental way who have experience of producing site specific projects will be favoured. 

These residencies sit as part of a wider project exploring place, space and artistic practice- by doing this we aim to answer questions such as- what does our city mean to the production of art and to artist led initiatives and in return what do we mean to our city? What does the current climate of Manchester’s regeneration and changes in cultural landscape mean-  what space is there available for artists? How does space and architecture influence practice? By researching and producing new artistic activity on this topic we hope to be part of a wider effort in understanding and leading sustainable art practice- positioning artists as an important part of the cultural strategy conversation. The project will culminate in an open studio, a risograph publication, a short film and an open discussion event. 

Call Out Details:

Who? Contemporary artists based in Greater Manchester with an experimental and explorative approach. 

When? Deadline: Friday 19th August 2016

Residency: 5th September- 19th September 2016

Seminar: Thursday 29th September 2016

Open Studio: 29 September- 2 October 2016

Payments? The Penthouse provides a £1,000 inclusive fee per residency

Details: Might & Main is a residency for contemporary artists providing studio and project space for a short active residency period of 2 weeks with a public open studio. Studio space will be approx 3x2m in a shared space in re appropriated old office block space.

Residencies are for 2 weeks working at city centre artist led space The Penthouse as part of a dynamic project exploring space, place and artist led production.

Artists will need to commit to the two week period and be available for the dates listed. 

Outline: 

• Artist research and experimentation – self-directed on and off-site.

• Open studio exhibit – self directed with technical support from The Penthouse.
• Public talk – by the residency artist, as part of Might and Main Symposium. 
• Work presentation – a studio exhibit, screening and printed publication.
• Support and advice – from artists at The Penthouse.

Apply: Provide a written proposal as a word document between 500-1000 words supported by up to 6 examples of previous or current works via images, audio, video and/or online links.

Within written proposal consider the following:

What is your proposed approach and methods of exploring the situation of The Penthouse space?

Describe your interest in the artist led.

Describe your artistic processes and how this residency will be useful to your practice.

Initial ideas of how your residency project research and action can take place within the surrounding city as well as within The Penthouse studios and project space.

Email proposals before midnight to thepenthousenq@gmail.com 

You can also email us for any further information.