Open Call: Underexposed – Mentorship Programme for Young Artists
Underexposed Mentorship Programme for Young Artists General information Sonic Acts invites young artists to apply for Underexposed, an online mentorship and training programme starting in May 2021. This programme is part of a Sonic Acts talent development initiative focussed on supporting artists at the beginning of their career. Motivated by the breadth of exciting projects from young local artists, evidenced by many of the applications to our recent OVEREXPOSED residency call, Underexposed includes a mentorship period in which artists work directly with members of the Sonic Acts curatorial team, providing an opportunity to get feedback on the development of artistic projects. Depending on the specific needs of the applicant and their project, the programme may include: working together on research and setting goals; conceptualisation of the project for funding applications; developing a realistic production budget; creating a presentation plan; working on an artistic portfolio; and finding local and international presentation and commissioning opportunities. Sonic Acts will select 2 artists for the first iteration of the programme that will take place from the first week of May until mid-June 2021. Eligibility Underexposed is intended for young artists, 22 to 32 years of age, based in the Netherlands. The programme is open to artists working with sound or moving image that have graduated from art academies or similar artistic programmes or can demonstrate interest in the field with at least one year of experience. Currently-enrolled students are not eligible for the programme (students graduating in 2021 are welcome to apply). We are encouraging artists to apply with a feasible project, meaning that the overall budget of the project should be realistic and not exceed 40.000 euro in the initial plan. Artists should submit a portfolio with recent works and projects, and a motivation letter in which they articulate issues they would like to address in the development process of their work and their expectations from the programme. Applications from both individual artists and collectives are welcome. Programme Underexposed is a six-week programme of weekly, one-hour online sessions with members of the Sonic Acts curatorial team. Each session will be focussed on discussing the artist’s needs, their project and portfolio, and opportunities including possible public presentations. The programme provides artists with insight into the process of developing an effective artistic proposal, creating a realistic production budget, writing a funding application and knowing where to look for opportunities. Deadlines and selection committee Applications should be submitted via Homerun by 15 March 2021. Selected applicants will be notified by 20 April at the latest. The selection committee comprises the curatorial team of Sonic Acts.