MAIA This May - Week 3 Highlights
From Artist Campus to Artist Roundtable, in Week 3 of MAIA this May we have journeyed, explored, questioned, and re-imagined artistic practise and what it means to be an artist, for both now and in the future.
Keep reading for this week’s highlights!
Tuesday
Artist Campus: With Manuel Bonillo
“Art doesn’t have to solve everything. Just existing can be a very radical way of resisting.”
For our third instalment of Artist Campus, we heard from the wonderful Manuel Bonillo who took us on a journey of re-imagining ways we could create a piece of work together.
We explored contradictions, understanding & the power of questioning and using our discernment as artists.
Session Insights
Do we have to accept contradictions? - Contradiction has lots of ways of being expressed. It’s the same street without an exit.
Can the world be a research space for the creator? - Performance presents the world as a fact that cannot be changed.
Can we redistribute the wealth designated for arts and culture across the world? - We cannot give up thinking. Stopping thinking when we reach contradictions is a luxury we have because we have good conditions.
"Art doesn't have to solve everything. Just existing can be a very radical way of resisting."
— MAIA (@MAIA_Group) May 19, 2020
Manuel Bonillo on today's Artist Campus. #MAIAthisMay pic.twitter.com/BagzhvEEVL
More on the artist:
Manuel Bonillo: Interview with Conde Duque
Next Artist Campus:
With Vera Chisvo | 26th May, 3pm | £5 or Pay-As-You-Can Donation | Eventbrite
Wednesday
Work On: in Theatre with Daniel Bailey, Bush Theatre
“It takes a bit of confidence to say: ‘ Yo, I’m here with my hands up high, you can see me!’ ”
On Wednesday, insider knowledge on how to go from ‘page to stage’ came from the legendary Daniel Bailey, Associate Director at Bush Theatre.
The third workshop in our Work On series, Daniel helped us demystify getting into theatre with 5 practical strategies:
Strategy 1
Become an associate of the theatre. Join an artist development programme, an emerging writers group or something deeply embedded within the theatre. Relationships formed this way often place your work in front of decision makers that otherwise wouldn't see it.
Strategy 2
Open submissions. Take note of windows. Some are attached to an outcome or prize. Sometimes theatres option work from this which leads to production. Solicited scripts are welcomed by most theatres depending on relationships.
Strategy 3
Invite people to your work. A scratch night or work-in-progress. Digital sharing. Send invites as early as you know dates. It's a theatre's duty to see work. Shoot your shot.
Strategy 4
Meetings. Get to know people over tea or coffee. Have questions prepared that can't be answered via a website. Know the theatre and the kind of work they house. It's important to find a theatre that shares an identity with you or aligns with your values.
Strategy 5
Find a director or producer who can advocate for your work. This is usually hard to find but is of such value and can help to increase networks.
Yes! Totally been rude and not said thank you yet, but the tone and transparency from @DanielLBailey was brilliant! Thanks @MAIA_Group great session
— Ashleigh Bowmott (@AshBowmott) May 21, 2020
More on the artist:
Daniel Bailey: @DanielLBailey | @BushTheatre | bushtheatre.co.uk
Next Work On:
Work On: in Journalism with Jendella Benson, Black Ballad | 27th May, 11am | Pay-As-You-Can | Eventbrite
Work On: in Film, TV and Media with Abigail Dankwa | 28th May, 11am | Pay-As-You-Can | Eventbrite
Thursday
Artist Roundtable
“We’ve gone past the point of fear, we have been scared for too long, how can we be BOLD! ”
Thursday saw our second and final Artist Roundtable for #MAIAThisMay, as we discussed what artists need to survive in Birmingham and re-imagined what a post-covid world could look like!
Session Insights
What are the barriers?
Systematic
Lack of effort
Lack of transparency
The scale of the problems
What are alternative models?
Arts & Culture remaining open for all; in the mainstream, through streaming
Collective models of organising that don’t need hierarchies: mutual aid, co-ops
Thriving, not surviving
How can we take business models, wrap then in justice, and put them back out into the world?
Thank you @MAIA_Group for such a nourishing artists roundtable today. We have to move now and fix our chest plates to support collaborative movements to help stop repeating the art industrial complex which is broken and unfair. Big inspiration listening to these artists today.
— Alison Baskerville (she/her) (@AliBaskerville) May 21, 2020
Next Up:
Of the City: Ways of Future Living – Housing, Community, Change | 28th May, 13pm | Free | Eventbrite
Friday
Creative Gratitude Workshop with Joyce Treasure
Image: Jae Tallawah (@unapologeticblackgirl)
“I’m looking at the things in front of me these days”
Rounding off the week, Friday brought us a creative gratitude and meditation workshop. For this third session in collaboration with Maslaha, the lovely Joyce Treasure took us through a journey of sharing things and memories that bring us joy!
Top Tip: Start a gratitude box!
Pencil ✅
— Joyce Treasure (@joycetreasure) May 22, 2020
Pad ✅
Highlight pen ✅ bring any colours you choose
Getting ready 2 deliver the Creative Gratitude workshop at midday. Thank you to @maia_group and @Maslaha for creating the space for this to happen.
Don’t forget to send through your input by email
See you soon. pic.twitter.com/1uQCAmkSXN
More on the artist:
Joyce Treasure: @JoyceTreasure | joycetreasure.co.uk
Next Up:
How To Be Your Own Biggest Fan: Self Talk Workshop with Jae Tallawah | 29th May, 12pm | Free | Eventbrite
Art-30
Artist Spotlight
Following the success of last week’s Art-30 Live art event, (sold out before the event ended - thank you all!), this week across socials and on the blog, we’ve spotlighted the 5 talented artists involved:
Lily Wales (@lilywales)
Aleesha Nandhra (@aleesha_n)
Tamara-Jade (@tamarajadekaz)
Nyanza D (@nyanzad_)
Chiizii (@chiizii)
Check out the blog to find out more about each artist and their artistic practise: bit.ly/art30-spotlight
My @MAIA_Group print arrived today I 🧡 it. pic.twitter.com/BItMgjg7yp
— Tamar Millen (@tamarmillen) May 21, 2020
Coming Up
Week 4
There’s still time to apply for our Open Call commissions: the Keep Keeping Fund and the MAIA Commission.
The deadline for both opportunities is Sat 30 May, 12pm
Find out more: bit.ly/maiamay-commissions
As well as our ongoing commissions, with our fourth and final week of #MAIAThisMay on the horizon, we have more practical and powerful sessions in-store for you:
Tuesday - Artist Campus: With Vera Chisvo | 26th May, 3pm | £5 or Pay-As-You-Can Donation | Eventbrite
Wednesday - Work On: in Journalism with Jendella Benson, Black Ballad | 27th May, 11am | Pay-As-You-Can | Eventbrite
Thursday - Work On: in Film, TV and Media with Abigail Dankwa | 28th May, 11am | Pay-As-You-Can | Eventbrite
Thursday - Of the City: Ways of Future Living – Housing, Community, Change | 28th May, 13pm | Free | Eventbrite
Friday - MAIA X Maslaha | How To Be Your Own Biggest Fan: Self Talk Workshop with Jae Tallawah | 29th May, 12pm | Free | Eventbrite
Get involved
Check out our full May Programme: bit.ly/maiamay-programme
Apply to our Open Call Commissions: bit.ly/maiamay-commissions
Be part of the online conversation: @MAIA_Group | #MAIAThis May
Stay in the loop with all things MAIA: bit.ly/maia-mailinglist
Take care and see you online for our final week of #MAIAThisMay! x