Karla Black artwork acquired for Walsall’s Permanent Collection

Karla Black, Study The Method Of The Theft, 2023. Glass jewellery boxes, acrylic paint. Photo: Ilona Zielinska (Elona Photographer).

The New Art Gallery Walsall is delighted to announce that following her major solo exhibition at the Gallery earlier this year, Karla Black’s artwork Study The Method Of The Theft, 2023 has been gifted to Walsall’s Permanent Collection by the artist.

A wall-based sculpture comprising of one hundred paint filled jewellery boxes in grid formation, Study The Method Of The Theft, 2023 brings to mind the desirable and carefully organised displays of sweet shops and make-up counters.

Stephen Snoddy, Director of The New Art Gallery Walsall, said: “We’re delighted accept this generous gift by a major Scottish artist, who has exhibited globally over a twenty-year career and consistently pushed the boundaries of contemporary sculpture. The work will act as a wonderful reminder of Black’s major exhibition, her largest in the UK to date, which saw our Floor 3 spaces utterly transformed by her pastel and metallic sculptures.”



by Annabel Clarke

Applications open: REFLECTOR

REFLECTOR, a new and unique professional development programme, open to emerging Photographers, Artists and Curators of Colour working with photography, who are based in England. 

Produced by GRAIN Projects in partnership with The New Art Gallery Walsall, supported by Art Fund’s Reimagine programme.

REFLECTOR will empower participants and create new opportunities for collaboration and career development. The programme will take place over 10 months, starting in October 2023, and will include both online and in-person activities.   

The programme will include mentoring, masterclasses, portfolio reviews, and networking opportunities. These activities are thoughtfully designed to boost professional development and empower artists to advance their creative pursuits to the next level.

Additionally, bursaries will be provided to support artists in creating new work and further enhancing their skills. Participants will learn directly from inspiring artists, mentors, projects and events. REFLECTOR will amplify and platform work as well as being a unique opportunity to learn and develop new skills. Participants will also receive support in developing CVs, statements, portfolios and creating new work for exhibition.

Up to 20 participants will be recruited to take part in the 10-month programme. All will be awarded a £1000 bursary to support their involvement.  

Deadline: Sunday 9 October 2023 at midnight (GMT).

Find out more and apply here.



by Annabel Clarke

Join our Collections Community Panel

Following a successful funding bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund Dynamic Collections fund we are looking to expand the scope of what we do and to recruit some new panel members with an interest in our Collections and in making them accessible to the widest possible audience.

Together we have explored LGBTQ+ lives through our Collections, and our current project looks at Class and Identity. In 2024 we are due to focus on disability, neurodiversity and mental health.

We are looking for local people with a range of lived experiences to help us reflect and represent the people of Walsall with our Collections displays, to select the works they want to see exhibited, and the events they would like to accompany the exhibition programme. Join us to have your say on the Collections you own!

The panel meet roughly monthly, both in-person and online. You can join remotely or attend sessions at the Gallery. It is very flexible, and dates for meetings and events are decided democratically as a group. We are friendly and meetings are informal and welcoming. No knowledge/experience of art necessary! Just bring your own lived experiences! Panel members can choose to remain anonymous, and contribute as little or as much as you like or are able to. A nominal fee is given for attendance at meetings, or for contributions at events etc.

It’s a great way to meet new people from diverse walks of life, have active discussions and do advocacy work on topics important to you, get helpful work experience opportunities, and keep active for wellbeing.

If you are interested in exploring our Collections as part of this co-production project, or to find out more, please get in touch with our Collections Curator, Julie via julie.brown@walsall.gov.uk or by calling 01922 654419 to arrange an informal chat, either in person, over the phone, or online.



by Annabel Clarke

New Trustees for the Walsall Museums & Art Galleries Development Trust – An Open Call

Here at The New Art Gallery Walsall, we endeavour to be welcoming, relevant and engaging to all of our communities and to provide and plan for a resilient future to support all of our programmes. The Gallery is owned by Walsall Council and is currently funded by the Council and Arts Council England. Those working in the Gallery are employees of Walsall Council.

The Development Trust’s aim is ‘to support and enhance’ the work of  The New Art Gallery Walsall and as such it is important for the Trustees to have a variety of skills and experience. Given the nature of the Trust, alongside a keen interest in art and its place in the wider community, skills such as fundraising, marketing, legal, community engagement, education and digital are particularly relevant.

We are now looking to expand the range of skills and experience of our current Board of Trustees.  We want to reflect the diversity and heritage of the West Midlands region in terms of age, gender and ethnicity.  We are also keen to ensure that there is representation from particular groups such as people who are neurodiverse or those with disabilities.

There are 4 Trust meetings per year. Meetings can be attended online.  Trustees are not paid for their time, but where appropriate we are able to reimburse trustees for expenses incurred in travelling to attend Trust meetings; for any access needs and/or childcare; or care of other dependants, while attending meetings. We would expect each new Trustee to commit to 3 years.

Further information is available upon request. If you are interested in supporting us to make positive changes please send an email to the Chair david.carver@carver-group.co.uk and cc Director stephen.snoddy@walsall.gov.uk and let us know why you would like to become a Trustee in less than 300 words. 

Deadline: 31st December 2022



by Chris Wilkinson

Front of House Manager – Ref: EE05222 -(220000CG)

Salary: G7 £27,514 – £31,895 (pro-rata)
Contract: Job share 24.5 hours including Saturday working

The New Art Gallery Walsall opened in 2000 in the heart of Walsall town centre. Since then it has remained a significant venue for the visual arts regionally, nationally and internationally. Hosting a vibrant artistic programme, combining the very best in contemporary art with the Modern and the historic, the Gallery is also home to the renowned Garman Ryan Collection and a significant collection of contemporary works. The impressive and award winning building provides a truly unique place for visitors to enjoy, discover, learn from and participate in the visual arts.

We are seeking an enthusiastic and dynamic individual to join our team for the next exciting stage in the Gallery’s development.  Your duties will include:

  • coordinating the planning and delivery of Front of House services in an efficient and effective manner
  • prioritising both visitor experience and customer care through enhancement and support of the artistic programme.
  • organisational and staff development, and the reporting of performance management information.

Previous managerial experience of working directly with the public in a visitor attraction role would be an advantage.

View Job Description and Employee Specification

View Information for Applicants

Closing date: 13th November 2022

This post is covered by the Government’s Code of Practice on the English Language Fluency Duty for public sector workers.  The post holder will be required to communicate verbally with customers and provide advice and/or information in accurate spoken English.

Walsall Council takes seriously the responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all the children, young people and adults entrusted to our care and it is our expectation that all staff will share this commitment. Completion of an enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check is a requirement for this role.



by Chris Wilkinson

Open call: Residency opportunities in partnership with Project Art Works and Outside In

Open call: Residency opportunities in partnership with Project Art Works and Outside In, for the Explorers programme in collaboration with The New Art Gallery Walsall and The Herbert Art Gallery & Museum. July – November 2022.


ABOUT EXPLORERS

In 2016 Project Art Works were awarded an Ambition for Excellence grant by Arts Council England to deliver the Explorers programme. Taking place against a backdrop of increased hardship and intolerance toward disabled people, the aim has been to develop positive relationships between cultural organisations and the social care sector and to reposition people who have complex needs at the forefront of mainstream culture. The initial project has included awareness raising and encounter workshops, happenings, productions, commissions, exhibitions and seminars in collaboration with people who have complex needs and those who support them.

Explorers 2021-2023, aims to create equity for neurominorities and carers in civic and cultural life, creating platforms for neurodivergent people and pathways for cultural organisations to deepen their understanding and commit to inviting neurodivergent people and carers into their spaces. The project intends to change the discourse of how neurodivergent people are positioned and described in culture. Explorers project

THE RESIDENCY OPPORTUNITY

This opportunity will support three artists who are neurodivergent to develop work over 5-weeks with the support and guidance from both participating organisations and a virtual or studio visit from a lead artist.

We are asking artists, or people who support and advocate for artists, who are interested in applying, to complete an application form with a proposal outlining how they would like to use the residency.

The successful artists will receive:

  • £1475 fee (inclusive of travel)
  • Up to £300 for materials
  • In-kind support (virtual or in person studio visits and curatorial guidance, advocacy and a presence across Outside In, The New Art Gallery Walsall and The Herbert Art Gallery online platforms as well as shared through the Explorers social media presence)
  • Access to remote technical advice, as appropriate
  • Access to a Lead Artist for 1 x visit
  • Additional budget for access costs including support at our Artist Support Days for guidance on your application

 
We are offering 2 x studio-based residencies with The New Art Gallery Walsall: 

The New Art Gallery Walsall will offer two artists use of a fully equipped, bespoke artist studio space situated in the heart of the Gallery. If this is not suitable or accessible for the selected artist, the artist may also choose to work at their usual place of making. The selected artists will use the time and space to develop a self-directed body of work. This may involve testing new ideas or approaches to their work, without pressure to produce exhibition-ready work.  The two residencies will take place independently of each other but there will be a crossover week, where the artists will come together and share the studio, which may spark dialogue, support and exchange. As part of the residency offer, The New Art Gallery Walsall will facilitate a public in-conversation or sharing event, whichever is more appropriate for the artists. Format and date TBC in consultation with the selected artists and Exhibitions and Artists’ Projects Curator, Zoë Lippett.

We are offering 1 x studio-based residency with The Herbert Art Gallery & Museum: 

The Gallery will offer the use of a self-contained community space onsite, which includes a sink and table space. If this is not suitable or accessible for the selected artist, the artist may also choose to work at their usual place of making. Access to the Herbert collections will be facilitated by the Curatorial team. There is also the possibility of additional support with arts organisations based in Coventry and a final event/sharing TBC with Senior Curator Martin Roberts.

Who can apply?

This opportunity is open to visual artists who are neurodivergent, working in any medium, who are based in the Midlands.

We would like to select artists who either are able to advocate for themselves, or have a person who can support and advocate for them to:

  • Actively engage in developing their practice with a demonstrable existing body of work
  • Generate work that can be shared and/or made accessible to a virtual audience
  • Commit time to the project each week over a 5-week period
  • Accommodate a Lead Artist virtual or studio visit
  • Be happy for artwork made to be shared on all partner websites to show the outcome of the residency
  • Not in full-time education (part-time students may apply)

Residency dates:

The residencies will take place between July and November 2022.

The New Art Gallery Walsall Residencies:

Residency 1: 18 July – week ending 21 August 2022 for 5 weeks at 2 x days a week.

Lead Artist studio visit to be confirmed in consultation with the artists chosen

Residency 2:  15 August – week ending 18 September 2022

Lead Artist studio visit to be confirmed in consultation with artist chosen

There will be a Crossover Week, where both artists based at The New Art Gallery Walsall will be present in the studio: (15 – 21 August) for dialogue, exchange and support.

The Herbert Art Gallery & Museum Residency:

Residency 3: 10 October – week ending 11 November 2022 for 5 weeks at 2 days per week.

There will be an opportunity for the artist to present their work through a final output event TBC.

Lead Artist studio visit to be confirmed in consultation with the artist chosen

Key dates:

Submissions open week commencing: 23 May 2022.

Applications close: 9.00am Monday 20 June 2022.

Selection announced: 27 June 2022.

Announcement (for all residencies): Monday 4 July 2022.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply for this opportunity, please see the application form.

Artists, or the person that supports and advocates for them can submit in different formats, including audio or film. For any enquiries regarding this opportunity please contact José Sunshine-Okoro, Midlands Hub, Programme Manager. E-Mail: jose.sunshine-okoro@outsidein.org.uk
 
Do you need some support applying? We are running Artist Support Days in the Midlands where artists can gain support to apply for this opportunity. Sessions will take place on the following dates:

9.30 – 5pm -5pm, Thursday 9 June 2022 at The New Art Gallery Walsall, WS2 8LG.

9.30 – 5pm -5pm, Thursday 16 June 2022 at The Mac Birmingham, B12 9QH.

To find out more or to book onto a 1-hour session, please contact:

jose.sunshine-okoro@outsidein.org.uk

We recognise that people are often excluded from opportunities because institutions and organisations may not make provision to meet their ongoing support needs, so we are committed to fully supporting the selected artists as best we can throughout the residency period. We are happy to discuss an artist’s support needs as part of the application process.

ABOUT OUTSIDE IN

Outside In is an established national charity, founded in 2006. It aims to provide a platform for artists who face significant barriers to the art world due to health, disability, social circumstance or isolation. Outside In’s work covers three main areas: artist development, exhibitions and training. These activities, supported by fundraising and communications, all aim to create a fairer art world by supporting artists, creating opportunities and influencing arts organisations.

ABOUT PROJECT ART WORKS

Project Art Works is a collective of neurodiverse artists and activists based in Hastings, UK.

Intersecting ART and CARE, they promote the rights and representation of neuro-minorities through an expansive art practice, embracing holistic and practical support for individuals and caregivers alongside established artistic outputs.

Working in partnership nationally and internationally, they seek to reverse the entrenched power dynamics of inclusion, and to provide genuine opportunities for people to represent themselves within culture and society.

Definition of complex needs

The term ‘complex needs’ embraces a number of neurodiverse states of being such as severe learning disability and/or autism and/or cognitive impairments and/or behaviours described as challenging that combine to produce multiple and intersecting support needs. Sometimes these are also combined with complex physical needs as well. People with learning disabilities and behaviours that challenge are some of the most excluded in society. This is because they are very often dependent on carers and agencies for access to the wider world and experiences such as art and culture.

COLLABORATING WITH OUTSIDE IN AND THE EXPLORERS PROJECT

The New Art Gallery Walsall is an award-winning gallery in the heart of the West Midlands that presents, collects and interprets historic, modern and contemporary art through a dynamic, exhibitions, learning and events programme. The Gallery houses a purpose-built Artists’ Studio, which provides a base for its long-standing and respected residency programme. This programme exists primarily to support emerging and mid-career artists based in the region to test ideas and develop new work within a public-facing studio context. Curatorial guidance and critical conversation, often with external studio visitors, is a vital part of this work. The programme currently offers a mix of onsite and remote/virtual residency opportunities intended to support a broad cross section of practices and artists, some of whom may face additional barriers to accessing the building and working in the mainstream.

The Herbert Art Gallery & Museum is located in the centre of Coventry directly facing Coventry Cathedral. The collections include visual art, social and industrial history, archaeology and natural sciences. There are permanent exhibitions on the history of Coventry, the Lady Godiva story and the city’s role in Peace and Reconciliation, as well as displays of art from the collection. The gallery operates a programme of high-profile temporary exhibitions, which has recently included the Coventry Biennial and the Turner Prize exhibition, staged as part of Coventry’s UK City of Culture activities. The programme is delivered in partnership with national organisations, academic institutions, and local communities. We are committed to a socially engaged practice, including supporting career development for emerging and established practitioners and especially artists from diverse backgrounds. We can offer access to the Herbert’s wide-ranging collections and engagement with Curatorial and Exhibition staff who are able to share their experiences and knowledge, as well as access to partners and networks.

Outside In

Project Art Works

EXPLORERS project

The Herbert Art Gallery & Museum

The New Art Gallery Walsall



by Chris Wilkinson

Open Call – Studio Residency, Karachi

The New Art Gallery Walsall (NAGW) and Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture (IVS) are inviting applications from artists based in Pakistan for a three month residency in Karachi (3 October 2022 – 8 January 2023).

The residency is part of a major exhibition project entitled Belonging/Disbelonging curated by Aziz Sohail and Head of Exhibitions at NAGW, Deborah Robinson. The exhibition explores histories of exclusion and erasure amongst artists largely from the South Asian diaspora, and ways in which these artists have challenged normative histories, discourses and narratives and built communities and spaces for themselves.  The exhibition brings together intergenerational practices which combine autobiography, activism and collectivity with a strong focus on queer artists and practices.

The residency will run concurrently with one at NAGW. For these residences, we are particularly keen to connect trans* and queer artists and practices. There will be an emphasis on dialogue and exchange digitally as well as programming, engagement and outreach in each local context.  A showcase of works by both artists is planned at IVS Gallery for February 2023.

The successful applicants will receive development support from Aziz Sohail, Deborah Robinson and Seher Naveed (Head of Fine Art, IVS) as well as a fee of 700,000PKR and additional support with local travel, materials, engagement and studio rental. A further budget of 450,000PKR is available for the realisation of new work to be shown alongside our major international exhibition in Walsall in Autumn 2023.

This amount is subject to change due to currency fluctuations.

The selected artist(s) will be expected to commit at least two days per week to this residency.

We welcome applications from individuals, pairs or collectives.

We are open to applications from all over Pakistan, but the artist is expected to be based in Karachi for the residency and will need to organise their own accommodation.

All queries can be addressed to the same email as above.

Deadline for applications: 4 July 2022, midnight UK time

The selection panel will comprise of Aziz Sohail, Deborah Robinson and Seher Naveed (Head of Fine Art, IVS)

The selected applicants will be informed by the end of July 2022.

The Belonging/Disbelonging residences are funded by the British Council International Collaborations Grants, which are designed to support UK and overseas organisations to collaborate on international art projects.

To apply, please send the following to nagwsubmissions@gmail.com with the title Belonging/Disbelonging – Karachi;

  • A cv (no more than one page of A4)
  • Up to 5 images of your work (or links to moving image works)
  • A summary of your practice (no more than 200 words)
  • An outline of how you would approach this residency and why it makes sense for your career at this time (no more than 200 words)
  • An idea of how you might connect to communities in your locality (no more than 200 words)

All queries can be addressed to the same email as above.

Deadline for applications: 1 July 2022, midnight UK time

The selection panel will comprise of Aziz Sohail, Deborah Robinson and Seher Naveed (Head of Fine Art, IVS)

The selected applicants will be informed by the end of July 2022.

The Belonging/Disbelonging residences are funded by the British Council International Collaborations Grants, which are designed to support UK and overseas organisations to collaborate on international art projects.



by Chris Wilkinson

Open Call – Studio Residency, The New Art Gallery Walsall

The New Art Gallery Walsall (NAGW) and Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture (IVS) are inviting applications from artists based in the West Midlands for a three month residency* based in the Artists’ Studio at NAGW (3 October 2022 – 8 January 2023).

The residency is part of a major exhibition project entitled Belonging/Disbelonging curated by Aziz Sohail and Head of Exhibitions at NAGW, Deborah Robinson. The exhibition explores histories of exclusion and erasure amongst artists largely from the South Asian diaspora, and ways in which these artists have challenged normative histories, discourses and narratives and built communities and spaces for themselves.  The exhibition brings together intergenerational practices which combine autobiography, activism and collectivity with a strong focus on queer artists and practices.

The residency will run concurrently with one at IVS. For these residences, we are particularly keen to connect trans and queer artists and practices. There will be an emphasis on dialogue and exchange digitally as well as programming, engagement and outreach in each local context.  A showcase of works by both artists is planned at IVS Gallery for February 2023.

The successful applicants will receive development support from Aziz Sohail and Deborah Robinson and as well as a fee of £3,600 and additional support with local travel, materials and engagement. A further budget of £2,000 is available for the realisation of new work to be shown alongside our major international exhibition in Walsall in Autumn 2023.

*The selected artist(s) will be expected to commit at least two days per week to this residency.

We welcome applications from individuals, pairs or collectives.

There is no budget for accommodation.

To apply, please send the following to nagwsubmissions@gmail.com with the title Belonging/Disbelonging – Walsall;

  • A cv (no more than one page of A4)
  • Up to 5 images of your work (or links to moving image works)
  • A summary of your practice (no more than 200 words)
  • An outline of how you would approach this residency and why it makes sense for your career at this time (no more than 200 words)
  • An idea of how you might connect to communities in your locality (no more than 200 words)

All queries can be addressed to the same email as above.

Deadline for applications: 4 July 2022, midnight UK time

The selection panel will comprise of Aziz Sohail, Deborah Robinson and Seher Naveed (Head of Fine Art, IVS)

The selected applicants will be informed by the end of July 2022.

The Belonging/Disbelonging residences are funded by the British Council International Collaborations Grants, which are designed to support UK and overseas organisations to collaborate on international art projects.



by Chris Wilkinson

West Midlands Open

 

Floor 3 | 20 May — 25 September 2022

 

The New Art Gallery Walsall is delighted to present, for the first time, the West Midlands Open, an exhibition of recent artworks in various media by artists from, or connected, to the region. The exhibition follows an open-call to West Midlands artists, including those currently attending an art school in the region or educated here in the past 10 years.

 

The Gallery received over 500 entries from across the region, spanning Greater Birmingham, The Black Country, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Warwickshire. From these, a panel of independent judges and Gallery staff selected 250 works for exhibition.

 

The West Midlands Open celebrates the quality, diversity and vibrancy of the local visual arts ecology and provides a platform and selling opportunity for artists in the region.

 

See the works selected for the West Midlands Open exhibition here

 



by Chris Wilkinson