Call for Artists to Lead Small Lantern Making Workshops
We are inviting artists to submit proposals to work with schools and community groups to create small lanterns to be carried during this year’s Christmas Light Festival procession, accompanying large centerpiece structures.
The procession will take place on Friday 15th November 2019 in Oxford City Centre, workshops will take place with approximately 10 schools late September, October and early November.
Oxford is a spectacle of light as the lanterns weave through central Oxford for an hour and accompanied by local music groups. This popular event attracts around 45,000 people and will launch the season’s celebrations. The prestigious lantern procession is an incredibly popular event and is a highlight of the festival, involving more than 350 participants from schools and community groups, who will illuminate the city with magical handmade lanterns!
Producing Partners: Oxford’s Christmas Light Festival is produced by Oxford City Council
Artist’s Brief:
This year’s festival theme is Discovery. We are looking for artists to lead lantern making workshops with our partner primary schools and community groups to feature in this year’s lantern parade. The lanterns will be created during one day-long workshops with primary schools and community groups. There will be up to 30 children/individuals per workshop.
Artist’s Role Description
* The appointed artist(s) will be required to lead workshops making small lanterns with children from 10 primary schools and community groups.
* The appointed artist(s) should also prepare and deliver a twilight session to upskill teachers, teaching assistants and interested artists in simple willow and tissue work.
* The appointed artist(s) taking part in this project will have experience in leading engaging and enjoyable workshops.
* The appointed artist(s) will work in collaboration with a small team of artists and the producers to ensure there is a cohesive vision.
* The artist can propose designs for the small lanterns, but the producing partnership retains all rights over designs commissioned, creative themes and content at all times.
* Applying artists are required to have their own public liability insurance (£2m) and provide a detailed risk assessment for the make.
* Please be aware that you will need a valid DBS certificate for the role, issued within the last 12 months. Please make us aware when you apply, whether you have this. This can be facilitated by Fusion Arts.
Timeline:
August: Submissions received, Artist confirmed, Designs to be confirmed by the end of the month
September: Workshop delivery
October: Workshop delivery
November: Workshop delivery, Event delivery – artists to attend the parade
December: Evaluation and Debrief
Sessions and Fees
* We are open to discussion regarding the structure of delivery of workshops.
* The fee is £250 per full day (pro rata) inclusive of expenses e.g travel, accommodation and per diems - there are up to ten days available.
* Artists will participate in the procession on the 16th November
Please let us know your availability throughout October and November when the workshops will take place.
The procession team will arrange for collection of all lanterns and delivery to the start point of the procession. The supervision of children during workshops and the event will remain the responsibility of the school/group leader.
How to Apply
To apply to be part of the team of artists working on the Christmas Light Festival procession please send a CV outlining your experience working with school and community groups on artwork of this scale. Please also send images of previous work and links to any websites or social media platforms.
In addition, please include a short cover letter/statement (max. 300 words) explaining how you would take incorporate the ideas and thoughts of the participants into the makes (which could be simple shapes i.e. stars, crosses, pyramids, boxes etc.).

Applications should be sent to info@fusion-arts.org by 13/09/18 We will meet with appointed artists early September.
For more information visit: http://www.fusion-arts.org/wp-content/up...