Would you like to get involved with Oxford’s Light Festival this winter?

We are inviting artists to submit proposals to work with schools and community groups to create small lanterns as part of this year’s Light Festival. After a challenging year most people have experienced forms of loneliness and isolation. Fusion Arts want to help people to safely reconnect with their communities. We propose delivering community focussed art workshops to build willow and tissue lanterns, small and large scale, making use of sustainable materials.

Oxford’s Light Festival

The festival is taking place between Friday 19th to Sunday 21st November 2021. Workshops will be throughout October and November.

Producing Partners

Oxford’s Christmas Light Festival is produced by Oxford City Council.

Artist’s Brief

This year’s festival theme is The Art of Staying Connected. We are looking for artists to lead lantern making workshops with local primary schools and community groups. The lanterns will be created during a one day-long workshop in October or November. 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
*The appointed artist(s) taking part in this project will have experience in leading engaging and enjoyable workshops, unless stated otherwise. Assistant roles are available to those with an interest in lantern making and community arts.
*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.

Sessions and Fees

The fee is £250 per full day (pro rata) inclusive of expenses e.g travel, accommodation. Please let us know your availability throughout October and November when the workshops will take place.

The supervision of children during workshops will remain the responsibility of the school/group leader.

All materials will be delivered by Fusion Arts to the workshop venue beforehand.

How to Apply

To apply please send a CV outlining your relevant 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 incorporate the ideas and thoughts of the participants into the designs (which could be simple shapes i.e. stars, crosses, pyramids, boxes etc.).