The International Curators Forum (ICF), in partnership with University of the Arts London (UAL), invites applications from emerging artists from racially and culturally diverse backgrounds based in the UK to take part in the 22-month project Tactical Interventions. During the project, ten selected artists will receive mentoring from leading professionals in the arts and will showcase their work in a Diaspora Pavilion at the 2017 Venice Biennale (May 13 – November 26).

ICF is a network that meets to discuss emerging issues of curatorial practice in the context of key events in the international arts calendar. ICF, in partnership with UAL, was recently awarded a grant from Arts Council England’s International Showcasing fund, for a two-year mentoring project supporting UK based artists.

This project involves:

• Participation in the first ever Diaspora Pavilion at the Venice Biennale curated by David A Bailey
• Participation in an exhibition at UAL
• One-to-one mentoring
• Masterclasses
• Networking opportunities in London and at the Venice Biennale 2017
• Post-Venice Biennale evaluation events

This opportunity is open to all applicants regardless of age group and experience. Applicants will not be disadvantaged if they have not applied for a similar opportunity before.

We ask that applicants please submit up to 1000 words answering all of the following:

1. How does your work fit in with the theme of the Diaspora Pavilion – in particular the British diaspora experience?
2. How might you respond to the site of the Diaspora Pavilion (see images of Palazzo Santa Marina below) as a non-white cube space within the Venice Biennale?
3. What would it mean for you to participate in this programme?
4. What professional development opportunities do you envisage pursuing during the programme?
5. How do you see this opportunity fitting into your long-term ambitions?

Please include images of your work with this application by Friday October 28^th 2016 by midnight

Please note that whilst this is not a paid opportunity, ICF will cover the cost of travel, accommodation as well as the transportation of all work. Applicants who work for an organisation will need to negotiate time away for travel to Venice for the installation of the exhibition in April 2017 and the opening week of the Biennale in May 2017, as well as to other locations such as Nottingham and Munich, for international masterclasses and networking events during the length of the project.

ICF will notify all applicants of the results of the open call by the beginning of November and successful applicants will be asked to attend a launch event for the project in London on November 9^th 2016.

^{Click HERE to APPLY..}