Open call AMPLIFY Digital Arts Initiative 2020: apply before February 16

The British Council, MUTEK and Somerset House Studios are launching an open call for AMPLIFY Digital Arts Initiative 2020 for women-identified artists and working in the digital arts, VR, AR, immersive storytelling and electronic music sectors based in Argentina, Canada, and the UK.

AMPLIFY D.A.I is an initiative developed by the British Council in partnership with MUTEK in collaboration with Somerset House Studios in the UK. Since 2018, the program has connected an active network in Argentina, Canada, Mexico, Venezuela, Peru, and the UK.

AMPLIFY D.A.I is a platform that creates international visibility in the industry for women-identified artists and curators. The program offers networking opportunities, showcases, exhibitions and performances, residencies, workshops, creative labs and field trips.

The first AMPLIFY D.A.I program took place in 2018 engaging 20 selected artists in MUTEK editions in Montréal, Buenos Aires and Mexico City, finally reconnecting in the UK with a residency at Somerset House Studios in 2019.

For the 2019 edition, the program featured a new cohort of 20 artists and professionals from Argentina, Canada, Peru, and the UK, who participated in MUTEK editions in Montréal, Buenos Aires, and at Espacio Fundación Telefónica Lima in Peru. Selected participants from the 2019 cohort will take part in workshops and showcase their work at Somerset House Studios later this year.

For the 2020 edition, the artists will be selected through an open call, from January 21 to February 16, 2020.
We invite interested artists and curators to apply through the links here, where you will find more information around criteria, eligibility and what is included in the program.

We invite interested artists and curators to apply through the links here, where you will find more information around criteria, eligibility and what is included in the program.

We are committed to equal opportunities and to reflect diversity in our programming and at every level within our organizations. This initiative is part of our wider strategy to support the participation of women-identified artists and curators to increase gender equality in the digital arts sector.

For Argentina applicants, click here
For Canada applicants, click here

WHO CAN APPLY

This opportunity is open to Canadian women-identified artists (aged 18 and above) currently living in Canada or abroad and we also welcome submissions from foreign artist with permanent resident status in Canada.
We are looking for proposals that explore new aesthetic directions in digital creation and electronic music.

More specifically:

• Live presentations of experimental electronic music (DJ sets will not be accepted, as MUTEK is dedicated to original artistic productions).
• Live audiovisual presentations that include an innovative use of digital image and sound.
• Installations (kinetic, robotics, interactive or digital) for a gallery space, or integration to the festival’s various venues
• Performances or installations created with AIs
• Projection works (mapping or video installations)
• Immersive or XR projects (virtual or augmented reality).
• Any projects that push boundaries and challenge conventions in the digital creation sphere

WHAT’S THE OPPORTUNITY

• Inclusion in the artistic program of MUTEK Edition 21 in Montréal, taking place August 25-30, 2020.
• Participants are expected to be available during the whole week of the festival, as there will be Amplify related activities organized for the cohort (the program offers networking opportunities, showcases, exhibitions and performances, residencies, workshops, creative labs and field trips).
• All participants will receive an artist fee. Travel and accommodation for the duration of the festival will be covered for artists from outside the city of Montreal.
• Selected candidates will be offered the possibility to participate in MUTEK.AR (Buenos Aires) and activities at Somerset House Studios in London.

TIMELINE

• The AMPLIFY D.A.I call for application is open from January 21 to February 16, 2020
• Deadline for application: Sunday, February 16, 2020, 11:59pm (EST)
• Evaluation panel meeting: February 2020
• Contact with the selected participants: March 2020.
• Public announcement: March/April 2020

SELECTION

The applications will be reviewed by a panel including curators of the international MUTEK network together with representatives of the British Council and Somerset House Studios.

APPLICATION

To apply, you must complete the online form with all the required information. Online form: https://forms.gle/hubrh12RjEgug67t6
Consider the eligibility criteria and the content requested carefully before applying, making sure to follow the guidelines above.
For questions or concerns about this call, contact us by sending an email with the subject "Call 2020-Amplify Canada" to: amplify.dai@mutek.org
Due to the volume of submissions, artists will only be contacted if they are being considered for the AMPLIFY D.A.I program. We would like to thank all candidates in advance for their interest!
AMPLIFY D.A.I has the support of the Canada Council for the Arts, the Conseil des arts et des Lettres du Québec.

ABOUT US

THE BRITISH COUNCIL

The British Council is the UK’s international organization for cultural relations and educational opportunities. We create friendly knowledge and understanding between the people of the UK and other countries. We do this by making a positive contribution to the UK and the countries we work with – changing lives by creating opportunities, building connections and engendering trust.
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MUTEK

In 2018 MUTEK Montréal achieved gender parity in its program for the first time. Building on this accomplishment the festival remains committed to opening space for women, non-binary and diverse artists—providing opportunities for performance, exhibition, career building, workshops and networking. A not-for-profit organization dedicated to the dissemination and development of digital creativity in sound, music, and audiovisual art since its first edition in 2000, the festival has distinguished itself as an international rendezvous. Over the years, MUTEK has expanded to include recurrent editions in Mexico City, Buenos Aires, Barcelona, Tokyo, Dubai and San Francisco.
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SOMERSET HOUSE STUDIOS

Somerset House Studios is an experimental workspace in the centre of London connecting artists, makers and thinkers with audiences. Located inside the repurposed former Inland Revenue building, the Studios offer space and support to artists pushing bold ideas, engaging with urgent issues and pioneering new technologies. It is also a platform for the development of new creative projects and collaborations. Up to 100 artists are residents at any one time and are supported to develop their practice for a defined period. The Studios is also home to Makerversity, a community of 300+ professional makers and Studio 48, a shared workspace for individuals and groups working critically at the intersection of design and technology.
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