Educational

Cuckoo Farm Studios is always looking at new ways in which we can educate the local artistic youth and maintain our increasing support to the upcoming talent.

Current programmes:-

Emerging Artist Residency
Cross Mentoring Scheme
Graduate Award
Student Associate
Workshops



 

Emerging Artist Residency 2012

Cuckoo Farm Studios is an artist studio provider housing over 30 artists, and for the first time is inviting graduate applications for its Emerging Artist residency programme.

Eligibility

The Emerging Artist residency is open to all artists based in Essex, who have graduated from a BA arts led degree in the last 3 years (2008).

We aim to:

  • Provide space, time and resources for the artists in the early stages of their career to support and develop their own practice.
  • Build artists confidence within professional environment.
  • Establish and build upon existing artistic and audience opportunities, especially for those who have little access to, or experience of, contemporary visual arts.
  • Establish and maintain young and upcoming creative talent within Essex by providing opportunities to work and exhibit.
  • Cuckoo Farm Studios residency provides a recently graduated artist with an opportunity to develop their working practice in a supportive arts led environment.
     

What we offer the resident artist.

  • 1 month long residency
  • Mentorship/Professional development support
  • Gallery exhibition (The Benham Gallery)
  • Workshop opportunity with payment of £500


If you wish to apply please download an application form
Word | PDF

Applying check list,

A completed application
Artist statement and CV
10 images of your work (JPEG on CD) or 5 videos (MOV or WMV files on DVD, 3 mins max) or 5 audio (MP3 files on CD). Please do not send any originals.
 

 

 

 

Cross Mentoring Scheme 2011

In 2009 curator and artist Linda Theophilus teamed up with Tim Skinner to undertake a cross mentoring scheme, centred around Cuckoo Farm’s annual contemporary art exhibition entitled ‘Outside’. Linda was keen to develop her skills and understanding of new media art; in return I was keen to engage with curation. The project gained local support from firstsite, and we successfully gained funding from Arts Council England. It was important to all organisations involved that the cross mentoring scheme maintained a legacy within the local community.
 
This year we have teamed up with The University of Essex, to give a student within curatorial gallery studies a chance to work alongside an artist from Cuckoo Farm Studios to co-curate this year’s ‘Outside’ exhibition (August). This is a unique opportunity for artist and student, giving them the chance to gain experience in curation, to learn to work in a creative team, and to learn about funding, Speaking from experience the relationship between curator and artist is very important, though sometimes fractious there is always mutual respect. This scheme presents artist and student with a chance to understand both sides. 
 

This years cross mentoring scheme as been award to Essex University student Kateryna Denysova and Cuckoo Farm Studio artist Lisa Temple-Cox both of whom will work together in curating this years Outside exhibition.
Throughout the scheme support and added mentorship will be given by Tim Skinner with added help from firstsite and Essex University.

 

 

 

2011 Graduate Award


 

Since Cuckoo Farm Studios opened its doors in 1992, it has maintained a strong relationship with Colchester School of Art and Design. In 2003 the relationship was strengthened further with the introduction of 'The Graduate Award Scheme'. The winner of the award recieved: Use of a free studio for 12months, £750 bursary towards materials plus a solo exhibition, and from 2010 a profile on the website. The award is designed to give a new graduate career a real 'kick start'.

The first winner was, current tenant and international new-media artist Tim Skinner. Tim has team up this year with textile artist, 2008 winner and tenant Louise Dawson, are part of the selection team.

This award is at the moment is only open to all outgoing third year graduates from Colchester School of Art, Design and Media (BA/BA Hons).

 Grad2 

To Apply

  • Application Form
  • Personal Statement about your work.
  • Images (10max, photos or JPEGs) or Videos (5max, all under 3mins each, MOV/WMV files on a DVD)
  • CV with one reference.


addressed to,

The Graduate Award 2011, Studio 14, Cuckoo Farm Studios, Boxted Rd, Colchester, CO4 5HH.

Graduate Award form download word | PDF
 

2011 Graduate Award Winner - Amy Turnbull


My practice currently centres on themes of childhood and memory. I intend to provoke the experience of nostalgia; the viewer will recall their own memories of childhood through engagement with my work. I project images that are intended to suggest the fragmented memories that we equally experience from the family photograph album.

The boxes have taken on their own narrative, not only do they have loaded connotations of moving and packing but also they tap into that childhood tendency to play with boxes, this curiosity of playing in boxes and creating dens. At the same time they also start to become a regimental procession of cardboard boxes. They also reference a nomadic culture totally separate from that of ‘Civvy Street’. The cardboard is harsh against white plaster, and takes on a very structural appearance, like giant building blocks. The boxes and objects reference a laying down of roots, boxing away and building a home with memories.

The once loved childhood toys become mere dead objects, they lack the purpose they once had, and they can no longer be played with.


 

Previous Winners

2010-11 Ellan Devall
2009-10 Janette Layzell
2008-09 Louise Dawson
2007-08 defaulted prize:- Gary Winterford and Rosemary MacKinder
2006-07 Caroline Moiret
2005-06 DeAnne Markovitz
2004-05 Void
2003-04 Tim Skinner

 


 



Workshops