Photoworks in partnership with the Council for British Archaeology
Photoworks and the Council for British Archaeology (CBA) are seeking applications from young people who are keen to develop their creative photography practice with support from Photoworks and an experienced artist mentor. Young people will help the CBA explore how it reimagines what archaeology is for a contemporary audience.
This project is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, as part of the Reconnecting Archaeology Project.
The Opportunity
Photoworks and the Council for British Archaeology are delighted to offer mentored support in the form of three online workshops and three mentoring sessions for six young people aged 16 – 25 interested in developing a new body of artwork exploring contemporary archaeology and heritage themes such as what places, spaces and objects are important to people today and how might these be interpretated and curated? What makes them relevant and ‘worthy’ of consideration, and by who?
The Brief
Six young people will be invited to take part in six online sessions with artist Laura El-Tantawy between September 2024 and February 2025.
The sessions will involve a combination of group workshops and one-to-one working with Laura. Using these sessions as a springboard, participants will create a new body of photographic work that reimagines young people’s perceptions of archaeology and heritage in their own places. We will also provide the opportunity to explore themes and ideas with archaeologists from the CBA. We are interested in supporting young people to move away from the idea of historical or ancient heritage and instead examine their lives in the present.
Photography offers a unique vantage point from which the six young people can challenge perceptions of what constitutes heritage, explore how and whether we all see ourselves reflected in heritage, and work to engender a sense of belonging, ownership and relevance.
The opportunity will entail:
- Online contact time with experienced artist mentor Laura El Tantawy who will support your research and development.
- Production of new artwork, supported by Photoworks and the Council for British Archaeology.
- Public presentation of artwork. We are keen that a wide audience can engage with the resulting artwork.
The Council for British Archaeology is an educational charity working throughout the UK to champion archaeology and to help people experience and participate in archaeology. As the voice of grassroots archaeology in the UK, we bring together community groups, commercial units, academics and heritage organisations to create and share opportunities to discover, take part in and be inspired by archaeology.
Photoworks champions photography for everyone. Global in reach, we have been providing opportunities for artists and audiences since 1995. We don’t have a physical venue, but our online channels are always open. Our programme, which includes the Photoworks Festival – one of the UK’s longest-running photography festivals, brings new experiences to audiences and opens new ways to encounter photography. Photoworks is committed to supporting young people, helping to develop practice and support career progression.
Both organisations are committed to promoting inclusion and diversity.
Expenses
A contribution of £200 (inc. VAT) will be paid to each young person. This is intended to cover any costs of taking part such as travel, equipment or data. In addition, there is an additional budget of £200 to cover materials costs.
Timescale
- All online sessions will take place from September 2024 to February 2025 and will include research, development of ideas, check in meetings with team members from Photoworks and CBA, contact time with your mentor, and production of the artwork.
- Public exhibition of the work (details TBC) is planned for July 2025.
Who is Eligible to Apply?
We welcome your application:
If you are aged 16 – 25 and consider photography to be your primary interest or practice.
The Council for British Archaeology and Photoworks are keen to attract applications that reflect the UK’s diversity and particularly welcome applications from young people who are currently underrepresented in the arts and humanities.
We are also striving to be inclusive and will do our best to help anyone who may need additional support to apply or take part (if selected). Please contact Juliette Buss (myheritage@archaeologyuk.org) if you require support with your application or would like to talk about the application process.
Please do not apply if:
- You are living outside of the UK.
- You do not consider photography to be your primary interest or practice.
- You are already actively working or volunteering within the archaeology and/or heritage sector.
Please think seriously about your capacity to undertake this opportunity if you:
- Will be in full time employment between September 2024 – February 2025.
- Will be in full time education at any point between September 2024 – February 2025.
How to Apply?
Visit the link below for full instructions on how to apply.
Application deadline: 9 September 2024.
Read all the information on this opportunity, including Terms and Conditions, here:
