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Bring the stories of Dancing Threads to life!

Call for Artists: Dancing Threads 

Dancing Threads commissions will open later this year (date TBC).
To register your interest, please complete the form below.

We are inviting artists to respond creatively to the oral histories and research gathered through Dancing Threads.

This opportunity is centred on a series of micro-commissions and one extended commission, supporting artists to develop distinct visual responses to the material. Selected works will be presented as part of a semi-permanent outdoor exhibition, alongside a smaller mobile exhibition touring local community heritage venues.

How artists can respond

We welcome proposals for:

  • Existing work that connects to the themes, to be digitally printed as part of the exhibition
  • New work developed in response to the material
  • Adapted works created specifically for this exhibition

Commission structure

The programme may include:

  • Approximately 8 micro-commissions (£315 per commission, plus materials)
  • 1 expanded commission (up to £5,000), to be presented outdoors at The Vale and incorporating a community participation element. This commission should include all materials and installation/presentation costs.

The expanded commission is open in form and could include, for example, sculptural or installation work, participatory or socially engaged practice, or performance-based elements such as costume, puppetry, or activation.

These commissions support clear, focused artistic responses. Artists are encouraged to propose work appropriate to their practice.

For the micro-commissions, final outputs will be presented as part of the exhibition programme and may need to be adapted accordingly. The expanded commission is a separate opportunity and can take any suitable form.

Artists proposing work for the expanded commission are encouraged, where appropriate, to visit The Vale and suggest a suitable location for installation, where relevant.

Exhibition context (micro-commissions)

Final works from the micro-commissions will be presented across a series of large-format printed interpretation panels, forming a semi-permanent outdoor exhibition at The Vale.

This exhibition builds on previous work developed through the Cotton Culture project, Up Our Street, and Northern Lights.

To see details of our current exhibition for an idea of how works may be displayed visit The Vale’s Exhibit Page Here.

In addition:

  • Digital versions will be included in the project archive and on the Global Grooves website
  • A portable exhibition will tour community venues

This exhibition format applies to the micro-commissions only.

Format and production

As the outdoor exhibition is site-specific, some works may need to be adapted to fit the required aspect ratio and format of the interpretation panels.

  • Panel specifications and sizes will be shared in advance
  • Artists will be supported by the project team to prepare work for print and digital formats
  • Works will be professionally printed onto large-format aluminium composite panels (e.g. Dibond/Skybond)
  • Work must be suitable for translation into high-quality digital images for print; high-quality scanning and graphic design support can be provided where required

To see details of our current exhibition for an idea of how works may be displayed visit The Vale’s Exhibit Page Here.

Possible artistic approaches

Work may include:

  • Visual art
  • Illustration
  • Photography
  • Textile-based work
  • Mural or public-realm concepts

 

 

  • Sculpture
  • Mixed-media or conceptual responses
  • Digital art
  • Literary work (for print)
  • Costume, puppetry, Carnival
  • Other relevant approaches

Selection process

Submissions will be reviewed by a panel led by Global Grooves. Criteria will include:

  • Relevance to the project themes
  • Strength and clarity of the artistic response
  • Suitability for presentation in the exhibition format
  • Feasibility for production and reproduction

Who we are looking for

We welcome expressions of interest from artists and makers who:

  • Have an interest in heritage, culture and community storytelling
  • Work in visual, textile, socially engaged or interdisciplinary practices
  • Are interested in responding to oral histories and archival research
  • Have connections to Greater Manchester dance communities (desirable but not essential)

Rights and ownership

Artists will retain full copyright of their work.

Global Grooves will retain ownership of the physical exhibition outputs, including the printed interpretation panels and associated display materials.

As part of a publicly funded heritage project, the commissioned works will be made accessible to the public as part of the Dancing Threads programme and its legacy.

Artists grant Global Grooves a non-exclusive licence to use, reproduce and share the work for the purposes of:

  • Exhibition and public display
  • Project documentation and archiving
  • Inclusion in relevant local and regional heritage archives
  • Educational and non-commercial use connected to the project
  • Promotion of the Dancing Threads project (including online and print)

This ensures the work can continue to be shared with audiences and communities beyond the lifetime of the project.

Any use outside of these purposes, including commercial use, will only take place with the artist’s permission.

Artists will be fully credited in all uses of their work.

How to apply

Dancing Threads commissions will open later this year (date TBC).
To register your interest, please complete the form below or send an email with ‘Dancing Threads Commissions’ in the subject line to Tor Lysaght at [email protected].

Interested in applying for a Dancing Threads Commission?

Great! We’d love to hear from you!

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Pop your email address in the box here and we’ll send you updates about our work, including how to get involved. We promise we won’t inundate your inbox, but you will be able to unsubscribe at any time.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.