Explore Essex Arts Commission 2022 opens for applications

A NEW Explore Essex Arts Commission which focuses on climate change and aims to inspire residents to think about their local environment is calling for applications.

The 2022 arts commission – launched by Explore Essex – is calling for artists to submit proposals which focus on the natural world and encourages residents to embrace the county’s green spaces.

As a county with diverse and striking landscapes and a unique history and heritage, the Explore Essex Arts Commission will celebrate this variety as well as bring to people’s attention the challenge that climate change poses to Essex by actively engaging them through contemporary art.

The 2022 commission will build on last year’s successful temporary art installation, The Infinity Forest, which was created by arts partnership INSTAR and hosted at Danbury Country Park. Using natural materials, The Infinity Forest celebrated the Essex Forest Initiative to plant over 375,000 trees in five years and engaged the local community with digital art packs and family sessions in the park.

Applications for the Explore Essex Arts Commission are open until Friday 10 December 2021 and the successful applicant will be informed by the end of January 2022.

As part of the 2022 commission Explore Essex are open to proposals* for country park sites, including Cudmore Grove, Great Notley, Hadleigh, Marsh Farm, Thorndon or Weald – all of which have recently received the prestigious international Green Flag award.

Councillor Graham Butland, Essex County Councillor Cabinet Member for Devolution, the Arts, Heritage and Culture, said: “The county has a rich cultural history and with this latest Explore Essex Arts Commission we want to commission a contemporary new artwork to highlight climate change while inspiring residents to think about what they can do to help the environment.”

To apply, applicants will need to provide a project proposal of no more than three sides of A4, demonstrating how the artwork will meet the commissions priorities and outcomes, a one-page budget sheet and a copy of the applicants’ CV as well as any links to relevant websites and examples of their work.

For more information about the Explore Essex Arts Commission and to apply please visit https://www.explore-essex.com/ee-artist-commission or email Culture@essex.gov.uk.