Call for Proposals: Drawing Out Hilbre Project 01
Independents Biennial 2025
Archipelago Arts and Hilbre Community Land Trust (HCLT)
Artists: Terry Duffy, Dominic Wilkinson, and Joanna Leah
We are excited to announce a call for proposals for the Independents Biennial 2025, focusing on Hilbre Island, the largest island within the Wirral Peninsula Archipelago. We invite national and international artists to collaborate and engage with Hilbre’s unique ecologies and rich narratives, encompassing both human and non-human species. This is a unique experience to engage in micro island practices and dwell in an indoor camping environment as a light touch upon this small area = 3 acres (47,000sq).
Thematic Focus
The artistic activities during the summer residencies will centre around the theme: “Discovering Distinction: Hilbre’s Unique Ecologies.” We encourage explorations that highlight the island’s ecological diversity, cultural heritage, and the interaction between its inhabitants—both living and non-living. Potential thematic foci include, but are not limited to:
- Ecological Interconnections: Investigating relationships between species and their habitats.
- Cultural Heritage and Community Narratives: Engaging with the history and stories that shape Hilbre and its communities.
- Sustainability and Self-Sufficiency: Highlighting practices that support ecological balance and resourcefulness.
- Time and Tides: Exploring the effects of changing tides, time of day, sun and moon, force of the sea upon on the island’s physicality, rhythms and its ecosystems.
- Engagement with Nature: Encouraging outdoor participation and interaction with the island’s fascinating natural environment of colours, textures, forms, sounds, movement through art as a limitless creative process.
Proposal Requirements
Artistic activities will take place from June to August 2025. Please indicate your preferred month in your proposal.
Funding: Note that there is no artist fee. Artists are responsible for securing funding to support their activities. We will provide letters of support for accepted proposals.
Amenities: Hilbre offers basic facilities including a compost toilet and solar electricity – think indoor camping. Basic studios, workshops, living facilities – more information will be provided following acceptance of your proposal. You’ll need to coordinate access based on tide times; check here for relevant schedules: [Hilbre Island Tide Times] (https://www.tidetimes.org.uk/hilbre-island-tide-times?srsltid=AfmBOoqr23tTJ9_x6fijexsChmRAtWOMwtxR05cpBdFrfxvrtSjNej9f).
Preparation: Participants are encouraged to be self-sufficient and resourceful. Guidance on suitable clothing and preparation is available.
For further insights into Hilbre’s position and activities, visit:
- [Countryfile – Hilbre Island Walks] (https://www.countryfile.com/go-outdoors/walks/hilbre-island-wirral)
- [Friends of Hilbre] (http://www.wirralgroups.org.uk/friends_of_hilbre.html#:~:text=The%20Frie
nds%20of%20Hilbre%20was,help%20maintain%20our%20beautiful%20islan
d.)
Proposal Categories:
We welcome proposals for a range of artistic engagements:
One-Day Events
- Workshops (please specify target age range, type of activity, and relevance to Hilbre)
- Pop-Up Events
- Exhibitions
- Performances,
- Readings and spoken word
- Enactments
- Films
- Mixed media is encouraged.
Week-Long or longer Activities
- Can include any of the above and in combination
- Workshops and presentations, discussions as interactions for the public
- In Situ Exhibitions
- Development of Work with documentation of the creative process
Proposal Criteria:
Proposals should include:
- A clear outline of your intended activities.
- The intended impact of your work on public engagement and the environment
- An exploration of Hilbre’s distinct characteristics, biodiversity, and narratives, focusing on one or more of the following themes:
- Ecological Interconnections: Investigate the relationships between species and their habitats.
- Cultural Heritage and Community Narratives: Engage with the stories and history that shape Hilbre and its communities.
- Sustainability and Self-Sufficiency: Highlight practices that promote ecological balance and resourcefulness.
- Time and Tides: Explore how changing tides affect the island’s ecology, physicality, rhythms and community.
- Engagement with Nature and the site as nature reserve and site of scientific interest: Encourage public participation and interaction with the island’s environment through art the creative process.
SUBMISSION DATE: 16/12/24
We look forward to receiving your proposals and working together to illuminate the unique story of Hilbre Island during the Independents Biennial 2025!
For submissions and inquiries, please copy us all in: