Open call to artists for summer 2024 - Wakehurst RBG Kew
Type
Biennial/Festival, Competition, Curatorial Proposa...
Category
Conceptual, Design
Status
Archived
Deadline
March 21, 2023
Application Fee
Free
Host
Madeline Quinn
Location
London, United Kingdom
Meadows are a natural powerhouse of biodiversity, but they are under threat.
One of the UK’s rarest and most threatened habitats, over 97 per cent of
species-rich meadows have disappeared since the 1930s – and with them, their
layers and intricacies, power and potential. Projects at Kew are working to unlock
the magic of meadows and discover just how essential they are, with their ability
to store carbon, filter pollutants, manage flood water, attract pollinators and
connect us to nature.
Summer 2024 at Wakehurst – Reveal the magic of meadows
Why meadows?
In full bloom, meadows are one of the most beautiful, gentle and welcoming landscapes, yet
beneath the beauty meadows are mighty. They are among the most biodiverse habitats in the UK,
home to almost a third of British flora, including many of our rarest and most threatened species.
It is estimated that only two to three per cent of the hay meadows present in the 1930s remain today. The impact of this loss is significant. Meadows are an expressive landscape, characterful
and cyclical. They evoke a sense of harmony and balance, of nature working together, complementing itself and working for us. A year in the life of a meadow demonstrates just
how beneficial this landscape is. Plants left to go to seed are a great food source for birds such
as linnets and twites. A longer sward (grassy patch) gives cover to ground-nesting birds such
as skylarks. The cycle of growth and grazing gives smaller, less vigorous plants the space to grow and set seed, giving rise to increased plant diversity. This diversity of plants will, in turn, provide food and shelter for a range of insects, which will then feed a variety of insectivorous birds, bats and mammals. At the end of this process, hay can be harvested to sustain animals in the colder months. In some cases, winter grazing of the regrowth to disturb the ground creates opportunities for seed to germinate. Meadows are central to the intimate bond between
people, place and plants.
The brief:
We are seeking artists of all disciplines who can help make the invisible visible and communicate important themes selected by Wakehurst in a way that is tangible, engaging, relatable and
inspiring for the general public. We are looking to commission between four and eight installations of different scales with budgets ranging from £5,000 to £30,000.
Building on the success of our previous summer programmes, Summer of Sound (2021), Nourish
(2022), and Rooted (2023), our 2024 summer programme will be a three-month programme
(July – September) highlighting the importance of meadows. In addition to the day programme, we’ll have a series of related workshops for children and adults, and an evening event.
We are seeking artists to produce a piece which brings to life at least one the following topics:
• The dynamic nature of carbon
• Pollinators
• Hydrology
• Nature connectedness and wellbeing
• Cultural identity
Deadline
Expression of interest by 21 March 2023.
Application process and selection
We invite artists to express their interest in the programme by 10am on 21 March 2023. We’ll then
schedule online conversations with those that are suitable. Please use this link to register, access the expression of interest document and apply:
https://www.delta-esourcing.com/respond/F758E6768G
If you have any problems with the link please
contact procurement@kew.org
One of the UK’s rarest and most threatened habitats, over 97 per cent of
species-rich meadows have disappeared since the 1930s – and with them, their
layers and intricacies, power and potential. Projects at Kew are working to unlock
the magic of meadows and discover just how essential they are, with their ability
to store carbon, filter pollutants, manage flood water, attract pollinators and
connect us to nature.
Summer 2024 at Wakehurst – Reveal the magic of meadows
Why meadows?
In full bloom, meadows are one of the most beautiful, gentle and welcoming landscapes, yet
beneath the beauty meadows are mighty. They are among the most biodiverse habitats in the UK,
home to almost a third of British flora, including many of our rarest and most threatened species.
It is estimated that only two to three per cent of the hay meadows present in the 1930s remain today. The impact of this loss is significant. Meadows are an expressive landscape, characterful
and cyclical. They evoke a sense of harmony and balance, of nature working together, complementing itself and working for us. A year in the life of a meadow demonstrates just
how beneficial this landscape is. Plants left to go to seed are a great food source for birds such
as linnets and twites. A longer sward (grassy patch) gives cover to ground-nesting birds such
as skylarks. The cycle of growth and grazing gives smaller, less vigorous plants the space to grow and set seed, giving rise to increased plant diversity. This diversity of plants will, in turn, provide food and shelter for a range of insects, which will then feed a variety of insectivorous birds, bats and mammals. At the end of this process, hay can be harvested to sustain animals in the colder months. In some cases, winter grazing of the regrowth to disturb the ground creates opportunities for seed to germinate. Meadows are central to the intimate bond between
people, place and plants.
The brief:
We are seeking artists of all disciplines who can help make the invisible visible and communicate important themes selected by Wakehurst in a way that is tangible, engaging, relatable and
inspiring for the general public. We are looking to commission between four and eight installations of different scales with budgets ranging from £5,000 to £30,000.
Building on the success of our previous summer programmes, Summer of Sound (2021), Nourish
(2022), and Rooted (2023), our 2024 summer programme will be a three-month programme
(July – September) highlighting the importance of meadows. In addition to the day programme, we’ll have a series of related workshops for children and adults, and an evening event.
We are seeking artists to produce a piece which brings to life at least one the following topics:
• The dynamic nature of carbon
• Pollinators
• Hydrology
• Nature connectedness and wellbeing
• Cultural identity
Deadline
Expression of interest by 21 March 2023.
Application process and selection
We invite artists to express their interest in the programme by 10am on 21 March 2023. We’ll then
schedule online conversations with those that are suitable. Please use this link to register, access the expression of interest document and apply:
https://www.delta-esourcing.com/respond/F758E6768G
If you have any problems with the link please
contact procurement@kew.org