FACT Liverpool announces new online commissioning scheme to support artists in lockdown

FACT is inviting artists living or working in the North of England to create work during lockdown.

The scheme entitled FACT Together will offer 10 early-career artists a grant of £1,500 each to develop an idea that will be presented online.

With the temporary closure of galleries and museums across the world, artists have had exhibitions, commissions and opportunities cancelled or postponed. The uncertainty caused by Coronavirus (COVID-19) is growing and FACT recognises that there is a need for support by artists, freelancers and gig-workers, who are at the heart of our creative community.

FACT Together has been set up in response to this uncertainty, offering both financial and career support over a 3 month period. In addition to the grant, the 10 selected artists will form a network, receiving individual and group online mentorship. This includes technical expertise, professional development, production support and promotion of their work.

Each new digital work created will become part of The Living Planet, FACT’s 12 month online programme that explores our relationship with the natural world. The programme will consist of newly commissioned artworks, live stream events, podcasts, interviews and activities, and has been created for people to interact with and enjoy remotely.

The 10 FACT Together artists will join a whole host of others, both internationally renowned and emerging, who will respond to The Living Planet theme, exploring ways in which wildlife, plantlife and ecological systems have responded to the impact of human actions.

The open call welcomes all forms of online work including audio, video, text, games, performance, animation, social media and workshops. FACT is particularly keen to receive proposals from artists who have not previously created digital or online work, utilising the scheme to develop their practice and learn new skills.