OPEN CALL PUBLIC ART TRAIL
Each year, KCAW presents thought-provoking installations and murals, which in the past have included work by Sir Terry O'Neill, Laura Ford, Sokari Douglas-Camp CBE, Zak Ove, Lisa Vandy, Amanda Parer, James Capper, Richard Woods, Liz West, Azarra Amoy, Linett Kamala, Lois O’Hara, Alex Chinneck, and Ai Weiwei.
In order to give greater visibility to locally based creative talent, the Open Call encourages applications from the area of Kensington and Chelsea, as well as from further afield, to submit existing or complete 3-D artworks to be installed in a variety of public spaces during KCAW24.
KCAW 2024 THEME "CHANGING LANDSCAPES".
Artworks and installations must reflect the curatorial theme for KCAW Art Trail 2024: Changing Landscapes.
Consider in your application social, geographical as well as digital landscapes, the natural habitats and the human response to the world through the use of AI.
In addition to the annual theme, submissions are encouraged to:
+ Pay homage to the area's rich historical and artistic heritage, encompassing both ancient and modern influences.
+ Foster active engagement with the audience.
+ Evoke the festive and celebratory atmosphere of the event.
+ Maintain a positive, non-discriminatory, and non-political stance.
+ Promote inclusion and celebrate innovation and the possibility of making a positive impact on society.
We welcome artists at various stages of their professional careers; from local to national talents and those who have never previously exhibited their work in public. The Kensington + Chelsea Art Week expert team provides comprehensive support, covering installation, public liability, insurance, engineering approvals, safety inspections, council permissions, and associated expenses related to delivery, installation, display, publicity, and the secure return of artworks to the artist's studio.
The final selection of participating artworks is curated by a rotating, esteemed Art Committee, ensuring fresh perspectives and diversity in the selections.
KCAW Public Art Trail Alumni
Art Trail Alumni include Ai Weiwei, Sokari Douglas-Camp OBE, Gavin Turk, Yinka Ilori, Toy Studio, Sir Terry O'Neil, Zak Ové, Baker & Borowski, Laura Ford, LR Vandy, James Capper, Richard Woods, Barnaby Barford, Liz West, Alex Chinneck, Linett Kamala, Azarra Amoy and many more.
The Art Committee
The shortlisted proposals are evaluated by an elected Art Committee made up of leading names from the visual arts, performance arts, literature, and the media. The committee changes every year.
The committee verifies that the proposals fit the selection criteria, including their viability for display in the public sphere and safety for public use. They assess how the projects reflect the KCAW24 curatorial theme; and evaluate the suitability to the ethos of the festival as well as the proposed sites for the installations.
THE ART COMMITTEE FOR 2024 EDITION
The shortlisted proposals are evaluated by an elected Art Committee made up of leading names from the visual arts, performance arts, literature and media.
The committee verifies that the proposals fit the selection criteria, including their viability for display in the public sphere and safety for public use. They assess how the projects reflect the curatorial theme; evaluate the suitability to the ethos of the festival as well as the proposed sites for the installations.
+ Adam Rutherford, Director, Art Brand Communications, The Fondation Beyeler, Art Basel Cities, V&A Museum Africa Fashion
+ Ade Sanusi, Founder of Art Meets Culture
+ Ana Elizabeth Gonzalez, Director of Panama Canal Museum
+ Alexandra Larner, Director Of Real Estate, Olayan Group
+ Dima Zogheib, Leader at Arup’s Cities, Planning and Design
+ Kira Charatan, Creative Design & Heritage Marketing Manager, Cadogan
+ Kristin Olafsdottir, Co-Chair of Film Committee at Serpentine Galleries, Founding Patron of the British Fashion Council Foundation and Founder Of Klikk Productions
+ Omar Bdour, Writer + CEO London Arabia, Arab Women’s Awards Summit
+ Pallas Citroen, Artist & MD Of The Bomb Factory Foundation
+ Cllr Preety Hudd, The Mayor Of Kensington & Chelsea
+ Sokari Douglas Camp CBE, Sculptor & KCAW Alumnus
Shortlisted proposals are featured in the festival’s core programme, in the KCAW Guide, digital Culture Map, and as key features in the KCAW marketing campaigns, benefiting from media coverage of the event.
The submissions for 7th edition of Art Trail edition closed on 10 January 2024.