The Brain Charity

The Brain Charity is excited to announce the opening of our search for submissions for Liverpool’s Neurodiversity Arts Festival 2024.

Our team is looking to commission creative works by neurodivergent artists or works addressing the theme of neurodiversity to form part of the festival. Dependent on funding from Arts Council England, exhibitions and performances will take place across venues in the city to celebrate neurodiversity and unique perspectives.

As well as raising awareness of neurodivergent conditions, the festival aims to open doors and normalise accessible spaces which welcome neurodivergent people and their families.

The week-long festival is planned to take place between Friday, 20th September and Sunday, 29th September 2024. We’re excited to welcome commissions for art pieces and performances up to the deadline of Friday, 22nd March 2024.

What we are looking for

We are looking for artistic works in any medium that explore the theme of neurodiversity or are created by neurodivergent artists. They will:

• Be part of the Neurodiversity Arts Festival.
• Be ambitious and accessible.
• Be displayed/performed in a local venue/arts organisation.
• Engage a variety of audiences.

The festival aims to:

• Celebrate neurodivergent talent
• Educate by raising awareness and changing practices.
• Open doors making spaces more accessible and making neurodivergent people and their families feel welcome.

Art commissions

All commissions are subject to funding, which we expect to have confirmation of in April 2024. There will be:

8 larger commissions of between £2,000 – £4,000.

8 smaller commissions of between £500 – £800.

We anticipate larger arts institutions apply for larger commissions and individual artists or smaller organisations apply for the smaller ones.

Shortlisting will take place after the deadline once funding is confirmed.

Support

The Brain Charity will provide:

• Practical help and guidance.
• Marketing and PR.
• Help to secure a venue if necessary.

If your application is successful, you will also be invited to attend the artistic meeting group.

Submit a proposal

If you have any questions about a proposal, please feel free to contact christina.beaumont@thebraincharity.org.uk.

Your proposal should be:

• 2 sides of A4 for a small commission.
• 4 sides of A4 for a larger commission.
• Video/audio submissions will also be accepted. Please ensure recordings are no longer than 4 minutes long.

Please provide:

• An outline of your project.
• What the expected audience would be.
• How you will ensure accessibility.
• Times/dates of performances etc.
• A budget including fees, planning, delivery, travel and materials.
• Any in-kind support.
• Confirmation of Public Liability Insurance.
• Details of one or two relevant past projects.
• Full name, address and contact information for a primary contact.
• For individual artists, details of a referee.
• Links to supporting information as necessary/relevant.
• Suggested venue/confirmation of venue if agreed.

Commissions will be granted on the quality of the idea, ability to deliver the proposal on time and within budget, as well as the way in which the proposal addresses neurodiversity issues and/or celebrates neurodivergent talent.

Please email your completed proposal to christina.beaumont@thebraincharity.org.uk by the deadline at 5pm on 22^nd March 2024.

Shortlisting will take place after the deadline and successful commissions will be notified immediately once confirmation of funding has been received.