Glasgow Open House Arts Festival returns

DIY non-profit arts festival 'Glasgow Open House Arts Festival' (GOHAF) has returned after a 4-year break in programming!

Article Source: Glasgow Open House Arts Festival
Last Updated: 1 April 2021 13:24

The festival is hoping to bring desperately needed opportunities for joy and togetherness to the local community, as we recover from the devastating effects of the pandemic.

The artist-run organisation is now accepting expressions of interest from artists and organisations interested in getting involved in this year’s 4th and ‘socially distanced’ programme, themed ‘Artists in Isolation’. Artists and creative members of the public from all walks of life are invited to reflect on their experience of the pandemic, using alternative, domestic and public spaces to exhibit their art.

GOHAF Director Amalie Silvani-Jones commented: “We encourage artists, musicians, performers, schools, organisations and creative members of the public from all backgrounds to get excited about sharing art within social distancing restrictions. Imagine beautiful window displays in flats and houses across the city, a collaborative sculpture in a park, a drive-in-cinema, wall murals, postal zines, painted shop-shutters, online performances, online discussions, watch together and discuss online film screenings, doorstep performances or art taking over advertising spaces!”

This year’s theme ‘Artists in Isolation’ invites participants to reflect on their experience of the ongoing pandemic, during which creative communities have been hit hard by restrictions and financial hardship. Organisers want the festival to create space to explore the lived experiences of artists and the wider community during this difficult time. The festival will prioritise the bringing together of artists and arts organisations working within diverse communities, recognising and advocating for the essential role the arts play in nourishing our daily lives.

Glasgow Open House Arts Festival encourages artists to use alternative, domestic and public spaces to exhibit their art. By 'removing' art from conventional spaces, such as galleries and museums, and embedding it within the very fabric of the city the festival hopes to bring together and support the community to engage with the arts both as artists and audiences, where they feel most comfortable.

In order for the festival to build a tangibly alternative model for the sharing of art from galleries and museums, organisers will not be including any exhibitions or events that take place within a physical art gallery or museum building; rather encouraging participants to occupy spaces elsewhere within the heart of the community, or online. Guidelines and ideas of what kind of spaces are encouraged can be found on the new festival website.

Crowdfunder Campaign
GOHAF has been selected as 1 of 20 projects taking part in Creative Scotland’s ‘Crowd Match’ campaign on Crowdfunder. They will need Glasgow’s help and support to achieve their vision of a truly inclusive festival! The campaign is now live with an exciting selection of rewards available for supporters!

With £10,000 in donations, the organisation hopes to support participating artists from all backgrounds to be able to take part in the festival, pay fair wages to the festival coordinators and cover the running costs of the festival. Your support will allow the team to collaborate with and spotlight artists, organisations and groups already supporting diverse creative output in the city.

The festival team are currently operating on a voluntary basis and paying out of pocket for festival expenses, so they are really counting on your help and support to bring their vision for a truly inclusive festival to life!

Expect an exciting programme of live online events, showcasing local artists and musicians, over the 5 week period of the campaign!

“By supporting this crowdfunder, you’ll be allowing us to spotlight artists from under-represented communities and you’ll play a vital part in the continuation of everyone’s favourite DIY arts festival. Help us to achieve our vision of a truly inclusive festival!”

Sign up to support the festival at www.crowdfunder.co.uk/GOHAF-2021

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