Dear subscribers,

In this issue we look at ways to commemorate Notting Hill Carnival online over the bank holiday weekend, with recommendations of things to read and watch that champion the festival's importance.

We have included five opportunities for artists and share news from some of our artists in Stoke-on-Trent.

Regards,

ACAVA

[Image description: Black and white photograph of Notting Hill Festival in 1979. A crowd of people gather and celebrate on a street in Ladbroke Grove.]

Notting Hill Carnival online celebration

This year Notting Hill Carnival will be celebrated online. The organisers have planned various music, dancing, food and drink events to be streamed across four video channels on their website. 'Notting Hill Carnival: Access All Areas' will be live from 6pm on Saturday 29 August until 11pm on Monday 31 August and you can watch it here.

[Image description: Photograph of artist Linett Kamala posing in front of a member of a Moko Jumbie band in festival costume. Photo taken outside and in daylight.]

No to fee-based opportunities

Professional Standards Regulation Network for Artists are calling for change in the way some organisations create artist opportunities by directly sourcing their income from submission fees. Read more about their pledge here.

Omni Artist Award

Omni is awarding four artists £1,000 each in production and material support as well as the use of its digital print facilities to produce new work. Apply by 1 September, read more about this opportunity here.

[Image description: Graphic of green and pink text on blue background reading 'The Omni Artist Award/ £4000 Print Sponsorship/ Applications Close 1st September 2020]

Essex County Council Commission

Artists based in Essex are invited to create work responding to Essex County Councils’ parks and places. Apply by 4 September, read more about this opportunity here.

[Image description: Photograph of two children holding hands standing next to a very large tree. One of them is touching the tree. Photo taken in a forest at daytime, with inset of the Explore Essex logo.]

Turner Contemporary Digital Commission

Turner Contemporary invites applications from disabled, UK-based visual artists for a new digital commission. Apply by 4 September, read more about this opportunity here.

FACT and Jerwood Arts Digital Fellowship

New paid remote residency and artistic development opportunity for emerging artists, curators, technologists, and cultural activists, in particular those from underrepresented backgrounds. Apply by 14 September, read more about this opportunity here.

[Image description: Photograph of a light-skinned person holding a phone whilst taking a photograph of a print displayed inside a light-box. The phone screen shows that the object photographed is a black and white X-ray of a human skull.]

Pioneer Works Residencies

Pioneer Works is launching their yearly open call for visual arts, music, and technology residents on 1 September, read more about this opportunity here.

[Image description: Photograph of a person holding a VR headset whilst standing in an art exhibition. There is a monitor with a video and four colourful prints on the wall.]

ACAVA Recommends

Linett Kamala is an artist currently undertaking a virtual residency for Deptford X exploring how carnival culture’s values of love, unity, inclusion and self-expression can be re-imagined through alternative virtual spaces and creative activities. Follow the progress of her residency here. Watch Kamala's talk about Notting Hill Carnival as a tool for healing and resistance through joy here.

The Black Curriculum Zine was designed to raise awareness about cultural points of Black history in Britain. The first issue touches upon the history, challenges and pioneers of Notting Hill Carnival. More information here.

The Free Space Project is hosting the exhibition 'Mindful Transformations' by artist Hisba Brimah. Visit the exhibition on their website here.

[Image description: Colourful and abstract graphic image by artist Hisba Brimah.]

News from our artists in Stoke-on-Trent

ACAVA's alumni Frederick Phillips and Pat Phillips are organising an art competition for children called ‘My Life in Art’. Children are invited to enter an artwork which shares their feelings about life in Staffordshire during the past four months. To read more and participate visit this page.

Amy Davies is a textile artist focused on sustainability. She has initiated the movement #MendNotTrend which aims to inspire people to repair their own clothes. Visit her website here.

Joshua Blees has set up Silver Process Lab, a new film processing lab in Stoke-on-Trent. Visit their website here.

Ben Farr runs ISBW.Studio, a creative studio specialising in art direction and commercial photography, visit their website here.

[Image description: Photograph of artist Amy Davies standing in front of a stall in an arts fair.]