Idea Submission

Archived: BLANKSPACE [Blank Media Collective]

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Blank Media Collective will launch an exciting new contemporary art space in Manchester to support and promote the future careers of emerging artists and practitioners. BLANKSPACE will be a creative hub showcasing multi-disciplinary activities; visual arts & sculpture, spoken & written word, live art & performance. Collaborations, innovation and experimentation will be at the forefront.

As part of our artistic plan*, 'Freedom From Selection' is a forward thinking exhibition exploring the ongoing relationship between art and science. Responding to human biology, the politics of biomedical breakthroughs, genetic modifications and immunisation, 'Freedom From Selection' features artist-led talks, workshops and related events, fuelling the debate between artist and viewer.

Our passions for impact, community accessibility and maximum visibility are intrinsic to our artistic plan. Through 'Freedom From Selection', Blank Media Collective will engage biomedical students from the University of Manchester to take part in a special event interacting with the participating artists, enabling new outlooks and fresh perspectives, shedding new light on the exhibition's themes.

'Freedom From Selection' is one example. Each exhibition and event at BLANKSPACE will be sourced via open calls encouraging interpretations from artists working within any creative medium.

"Blank Media Collective have been the most professional and organised team to exhibit at the easaHQ… Were the gallery to continue, I would be very happy for the gallery to host another Blank Media Collective exhibition." Thomas Bennell, easaHQ, Manchester

BLANKSPACE will…

• be a hub for all things creative
• provide a central support network for emerging practitioners
• involve the wider community in helping to shape the future of the arts in Manchester
• showcase exciting work by artists from throughout our home in the North-West, as well as the UK and Internationally

Blank Media Collective will use the funding from Umbro Industries as a percentage for BLANKSPACE's first year budget, which includes artists' fees, marketing and overheads, as detailed in our business plan.

Blank Media Collective is an artist-led, not-for-profit organisation established in 2006 and is run from Manchester by a dedicated team of volunteers. We are developing an excellent reputation for the high quality of our output. Blank Media Collective are proud to offer an important support network to hundreds of creative practitioners from throughout the UK and abroad as well as its base in the North-West. We support a diverse range of practitioners through the following means:

• Curation and implementation of exhibitions and live music/performance events
• Publication in blankpages online magazine
• Free portfolio hosting on our website
• Sales of artwork through our online store
• Workshop facilitation
• Widening community involvement in the arts

Blank Media Collective has established an important network of support and collaborations with organisations throughout the North-West including; Manchester Art Gallery, Cornerhouse, Castlefield Gallery, FutureEverything and greenroom.

We are continuing to build on our extensive portfolio of artists and networks as we move forward, and look forward to working with Umbro.

• Please contact for further information of planned activity for the first year at BLANKSPACE.

Amount applied for: £8,000-10,000