Six artist residencies are to be launched at venues across the borough in celebration of Calderdale’s Year of Culture, it has been announced.
As a key CultureDale(external link) project, local arts organisation, Everybody Arts is commissioning six artists to work in some of Calderdale’s most iconic locations, kicking off with Shibden Hall and Ogden Water Nature Reserve.
Mid-career artists are invited to apply and will be able to develop their practice, work on a new project or respond to themes that emerge from working in a unique environment for six weeks.
There will also be a chance for communities to get involved, as the artists will run workshops and activities for the public throughout the residency.
Shibden Hall was famously home to diarist and subject of BBC drama Gentleman Jack, Anne Lister, and has over 600 years of history. Today, visitors flock to the Calderdale Council-owned attraction to walk in Anne’s footsteps and enjoy the beautiful parkland surrounding the hall.
Meanwhile, Ogden Water Nature Reserve is a popular beauty spot which is also crucial for the area’s biodiversity. The site supports the borough’s climate action work, through natural flood management schemes, woodland maintenance and moorland work.
Everybody Arts is one of the local creative organisations that Calderdale Council has commissioned to deliver big projects and events as part of the Year of Culture 2024, to support community groups and harness local creativity.
Further locations for residencies will be announced later this year, with artist in residence programmes taking place throughout 2024 and 2025.
Lauren Iredale, Creative Director at Everybody Arts said:
“We are thrilled to be offering these unique opportunities for artists as part of Calderdale’s Year of Culture.
“Artists will have the chance to work in special locations across Calderdale, while engaging with local communities. We hope this will lead to interesting conversations, the cross pollination of ideas and some fantastic art!”
Calderdale Council’s Assistant Director of Customer Services, Sarah Richardson, said:
“This is a wonderful opportunity for talented local artists to get involved with the borough’s Year of Culture, taking inspiration from some of Calderdale’s most distinctive locations to create unique works of art.
“The artist residencies will also offer opportunities for our wider communities, with workshops and activities helping to nurture talent, support creativity and ensure that everyone can get involved with CultureDale.
“The project is one of CultureDale’s 12 key commissions, in partnership with local creative organisations. These major events are taking place alongside a wider programme of cultural activities supported through grant schemes, all helping to make our Year of Culture one to remember.”
Artists interested in applying can find more information on the Everybody Arts website(external link).
For more information about CultureDale visit the website: www.culturedale.co.uk(external link)
The local creative organisations delivering big projects and events as part of the Year of Culture are:
- Mr Wilson’s
- Hebden Bridge Arts
- Northern Rascals
- Arvon
- Everybody Arts
- Curious Motion
- IOU
- Happy Valley Pride
- Hebden Bridge Film Festival
- Handmade Parade
- Northern Broadsides