Essex Cultural Diversity Project invites proposals for a new project that will creatively respond to the history of Shoeburyness.
Budget: £10,000
Delivery Timescales: January – August 2027 | Evaluation September 2027
Essex Cultural Diversity Project invites proposals for a new project that will creatively respond to the history of Shoeburyness, and help articulate the future aspirations of its community. For over a century, the ‘Proof and Experimental Establishment’ at Shoeburyness was a military site for testing ordnance, artillery and ammunition. We are seeking a project that can reflect on and echo the language of military, war and defence, focussing on community, heritage and care.
We have teamed up with the Cart & Wagon Shed, the community and heritage space managed by Shoebury Coastal CIC, to host a commission that aims to engage local communities and underrepresented voices. We want to celebrate the area, enable local people to tell their own stories in their own words, and play a role in shaping a strong and collaborative future for Shoeburyness.
Through the commission we are looking for a community engagement project and resulting artwork(s) that will creatively collect and bring to life historical and contemporary stories of the people and places across Shoeburyness, which can illustrate the unique heritage of the area, and provide a platform for less heard and marginalised voices.
Shoebury Coastal CIC have recently secured funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to put in place an interactive museum focusing on the area’s military history, social and economic development, as well as its important natural habitats. A new exhibition will draw on the Shoeburyness Archives housed at the Cart & Wagon Shed. It is hoped that some of the commission outcomes could contribute to this larger project and tie in with future exhibitions.
As a temporary freelance contract, working hours are flexible across an eight-month timeline, to be decided by the artist. The appointed creative practitioner will create their own timeline for the delivery of the project (working part-time or in project phases) based on a whole project budget of £10K and the artist’s availability, reporting progress to commissioners every 4-6 weeks.
Read the full brief at https://essexcdp.com/commission/shoeburynesscallforproposals/ which tells you more about the project, who we are, and suggested creative starting points that we hope will inspire creative professionals and shape your proposal.
How to Apply
Read the full brief and how to apply at https://essexcdp.com/commission/shoeburynesscallforproposals/
We invite short proposals from artists, outlining your creative ideas, commission starting points and desired participants; more info about your practice; a basic timeline with key milestones; and a basic 4-6 line budget to give us an idea of how you'd allocate the £10K budget.
A Commissions FAQ page and a 1-2-1 is available for additional advice and support where needed.
While we have publicised this opportunity, please note that: (i) the application and selection process is managed by the advertising company/organisation; and (ii) we rely on them to: provide accurate, up-to-date details about themselves and the opportunity; ensure that opportunities are ethical and paid fairly. To report a listing, please email [email protected].