Festival Call Out 2023

A collage of photo from the BlackFest launch at the Pierhead in 2022.

BlackFest has a five-year portfolio of delivering an annual combined Black arts festival and celebrating, platforming and providing developmental opportunities working with black artists providing community projects.

BlackFest has received recognition for its outstanding work, winning an award in the Arts Culture and Media category of the Merseyside Women of the Year Awards in 2022. The work of BlackFest features on “Visit Liverpool” and, accordingly, the company is expanding across the Northwest supporting the arts and economic ecology of the Liverpool City Region bringing audiences to Liverpool.

This year we are incorporating new segments to the festival.

We have lots in store for our artists and community this year Kings, Queens, the true ones, shapeshifters, healers, hustlers, dreamers, believers.

ALL APPLICATIONS:

We are also accepting proposals in video/audio format and BSL – please send a film/audio file no longer than 1 minute to festivalapplication@blackfest.co.uk or send a link to the same address for us to download the file.

APPLY NOW to be a part of the 2023 cohort details below!

If you require the information in BSL or accessible formats please email opportunities@blackfest.co.uk

Pier Head Launch

BlackFest have always prioritised and prides itself in championing local and North-West black creatives, traders and communities which are at the heart of we do. We want to continue cultivating and nurturing black artists and communities this year through the claiming of historic buildings and spaces for arts, trade and celebration.

We are running a family and launch event where audiences will enjoy an eclectic mix of LIVE music, dance, arts and crafts, get involved and find out more about what we have going on in the wider festival suitable for a wide range of ages and many activities that are available.

LAUNCH opportunities if you are an artist/group in music, dance, poet, choir, and workshop facilitators to perform take up space and facilitate. (Stallholder applications scroll below)

Our offer to you is:

– Reach new audiences
– Marketing and graphic design
– Grow In Performance
– Build business capacity
– Expand your portfolio
– Network with likeminded artists and creatives
– Be a part of BlackFest Cohort 2023
– Be a part of BlackFest Creative Collective
receiving discounted tickets within arts events nationally and wider opportunities

To APPLY:

  • Please fill in an artist registration PLEASE CLICK HERE
  • Provide 250 words about yourself, your practice and two examples of your work.
  • Provide 250 words why you would like to be a part of BlackFest 2023.
  • We accept the above via Word Doc or in the body of an email.
  • Send all entries/applications to email:  festivalapplication@blackfest.co.uk

Application Deadline: 23rd April 2023
Shortlisting: 24th April 2023 – 25th April 2023
Interviews: 26th April 2023 – 28th April 2023
Performance date: 2nd September 2023

Terms and Conditions Disclaimer:

Commissions for this category of the festival are varied upon experience and portfolio. Announcements will be made in July. You must be available for few dates in JULY 2023 where we will be doing individual and group headshots which will include networking and collaboration with all festival artists involved. You must be available for rehearsals and tech August – September.

Six people standing outside.

Theatre and Film

This year we are creating a hybrid event combining Theatre and Independent Film. We have an offer to theatrical artists.

#BlackBoyJoyGone (#BBJG) is a BFI Doc Society Funded 25-minute hybrid documentary by and for black men that opens up the conversation about mental health, trauma and finding strength through brotherhood.

Directed by Ashley Karrell and Isaac Ouro-Gnao the film blends dance, poetry and first-person storytelling and creates an intimate environment, a safe space for sharing and poses the demand on society to release men from the boundary of suffering silently.

BlackBoyJoyGone: Realise… is about expanding the conversations.

Opportunities for 3 new, commissioned black male, men and trans mask artists to premier alongside the film to tell stories of lived experiences, provoke public discussion, support collective healing, and celebrate Black men’s lives.

LIVE Theatre Commission Fee: £450

3 Black male artists filmed to expand on the experience will create a short film to add to the final screening and performances. Film Piece Commission Fee: £250

Our offer:

– Platform to showcase your work
– Work with an award-winning Director Ashley Karrell
– Reach new audiences
– Expand your portfolio
– A post show discussion with valuable feedback
– Build a relationship with an established arts organisations.
– Network with likeminded artists and creatives
– Be a part of BlackFest Cohort 2023
– Be a part of BlackFest Creative Collective
receiving discounted tickets within arts events nationally and wider opportunities

To APPLY:

  • Please fill in an artist registration PLEASE CLICK HERE
  • Provide a maximum of 250 words or less about yourself and your practice.
  • Provide a maximum of 250 words or less about why you would like to be a part of BlackFest 2023 #BlackBoyJoyGone and lived experience of your story.
  • We accept the above via Word Doc or in the body of an email.
  • Send all entries/applications to email:  festivalapplication@blackfest.co.uk

Application Deadline: 23rd April 2023
Shortlisting: 24th April 2023 – 25th April 2023
Interviews: 26th April 2023 – 28th April 2023
Performance date: 26th September 2023

Terms and Conditions Disclaimer:

Announcements will be made in July. You must be available for few dates in JULY 2023 where we will be doing individual and group headshots which will include networking and collaboration with all festival artists involved. You must be available for rehearsals and tech August – September.

 

Image reads: Blackfest Call-Out. £450 Live Theatre. Commission. £250 filmed. Performance. Commission. 6 Artists. Male. Transmac. Man. #BlackBoyJoyGone. In Liverpool. Realise.
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A performer on stage with a microphone. Their shirt reads 'More Blacks. More Dogs. More Irish'.
A singer performing on stage holding a microphone.
https://www.blackfest.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/324938314_741424327021616_8853181980004659506_n.jpg

Rhythms Night – Music

Celebrating 50 years of HIP HOP as a genre and provide a talent programme supporting Hip hop artists to experiment and create ensembles with a professional arranger.

Classical music instrumentation in hip hop date to the 1990s. In the 2000s, artists such as NasKendrick Lamar, The Black Violin, and DJ Premier began to prominently use classical music elements. Classical hip hop’s biggest hit so far would be the 2009 Jay-Z and Alicia Keys duet Empire State of Mind, which has been described as an orchestral rap ballad. More Recently Post Malone would also flirt with the style as well on some of his songs.

Commissions: 4 Music artists and 1 DJ or a DJ Collective to join our iconic music night this year 2023, we are seeking a range of talent to add depth and excitement to the night. You will have created you own Original music and explored the HipHop genre.

Our offer:

  • You will receive one to one support with a professional arranger in August creating your ensemble of one of your songs. You will include 3 original Hip Hops as well as creating one rendition.
  • Rehearsals will provide the space to grow and enhance your music creating orchestral renditions of your Hip Hop tracks creating an immersive experience for the audience and artist.
  • Adding to your portfolio of musical output and range.
  • Perform at our Rhythms Night at The Philharmonic Music Room
  • Take part in a panel discussion with industry professionals.
  • Connect with larger audience base and reach a wider audience.
  • All marketing graphic design will be covered for artists
  •  Build a relationship with an established arts organisation.
  •  Network with likeminded artists and creatives
  • Be a part of BlackFest Cohort 2023
  • Be a part of BlackFest Creative Collective receiving discounted tickets within arts events nationally and wider opportunities

Please note: Currently we are in discussions with several orchestras however if you know of a predominately black led orchestra or fully black-led orchestra please do not hesitate to get in touch.

To APPLY:

  • Please fill in an artist registration PLEASE CLICK HERE
  • Provide 250 words about yourself, your practice and two examples of your work.
  • Provide 250 words why you would like to be a part of BlackFest 2023 and your experience and knowledge of HipHop genre.
  • We accept the above via Word Doc or in the body of an email.
  • Send all entries/applications to email:  festivalapplication@blackfest.co.uk

Application Deadline: 23rd April 2023
Shortlisting: 24th April 2023 – 25th April 2023
Interviews: 26th April 2023 – 28th April 2023
Performance date: 30th September 2023

Terms and Conditions Disclaimer:

Commissions for this category of the festival are varied upon experience and portfolio. Announcements will be made in July. You must be available for few dates in JULY 2023 where we will be doing individual and group headshots which will include networking and collaboration with all festival artists involved. You must be available for rehearsals and tech August – September.

Spoken Word / Poetry

We are commissioning 4 Spoken word/Poetry artists to use poetry to create an informative, powerful and inspiring night looking at developing a theatrical storytelling piece. For this event we are partnering with the UK’s leading Spoken Word experts – Apples and Snakes who will support one to one masterclass session aiding you in expanding your portfolio, developing your pieces, networking and further career commissions.

Apples and Snakes are England’s leading spoken word poetry organisation, we exist to support poets at all stages of their careers. Working with inspiring people and organisations, we run regular live events and artist development programmes across the country. We produce work in collaboration with other charities and organisations, including libraries, prisons, and housing associations.

Our offer:

– One to one artistic support with your pieces
– Work with professional director
– Perform LIVE your vision and story
– Take part in a panel discussion with industry professionals.
– Connect with larger audience base and reach a wider audience.
– All marketing graphic design will be covered for artists
– Build a relationship with an established arts organisation.
– Network with likeminded artists and creatives
– Be a part of BlackFest Cohort 2023
– Be a part of BlackFest Creative Collective
receiving discounted tickets within arts events nationally and wider opportunities

To APPLY:

  • Please fill in an artist registration PLEASE CLICK HERE
  • Provide 250 words about yourself, your practice and two examples of your work.
  • Provide 250 words: Why you would like to be a part of BlackFest 2023.
  • We accept the above via Word Doc or in the body of an email.
  • Send all entries/applications to email:  festivalapplication@blackfest.co.uk

Application Deadline: 23rd April 2023
Shortlisting: 24th April 2023 – 25th April 2023
Interviews: 26th April 2023 – 28th April 2023
Performance date: 28th September 2023

Terms and Conditions Disclaimer:

Commissions for this category of the festival are varied upon experience and portfolio. Announcements will be made in July. You must be available for few dates in JULY 2023 where we will be doing individual and group headshots which will include networking and collaboration with all festival artists involved. You must be available for rehearsals and tech August – September.

Four people standing in front of a big screen that reads 'BlackFest. 24th September to 29th October.'
Four people standing indoors.
Two people sitting outdoors.
Two people standing outside in front of a marquee.

Fashion

BlackFest are partnering with Seven Streets Tayamika fashion brand and Cultureville to facilitate a new segment FASHION this year. We will be celebrating heritage, design and influence of Black diaspora in Fashion which also was a form of resistance and change. You will be working with amazing 4 Liverpool and 4 Manchester based designers to co-create a fashion show.

Tayamika is a fashion brand of designer Taya Hughes a Zimbabwean born Fashion designer based in the North West of England. She is the Founder/CEO of the British Fashion Brand Tayamika specialising in womenswear fashion and accessories. Tayamika was featured as part of Sky Arts programme: Statues Readdress. Petronella Tayamika Mahachi

She has a boutique Seven Streets located on Smithdown Road supporting the work of local fashion designers. They inspire sustainable purchasing whilst also giving access to in-accessible fashion and luxury from lounge wear to the races, wedding guest outfits to evening wear. Pop in and check out their range of indie brands including exclusive celebrity drops. They promise quality designs made with the future in mind.

The Cultureville brand was created by two sisters – Adeola and Ronke Jane and like many people born in Africa and living in the diaspora, they struggled to find clothes that combine contemporary fashion with traditional African prints. They longed to walk into a store and see clothes that reflected our African heritage, in stylish designs that we could easily incorporate into our day-to-day wardrobes. Their vision is to make modern African fashion more accessible to everyone and with this in mind, created Cultureville.

Cultureville is an ethical, sustainable, award-winning fashion brand that specialises in hand-crafted clothing and accessories that feature bold African wax prints in contemporary designs. Their prints are ethically sourced from West Africa, where they are proud to work closely with tailors, artisans, and suppliers in the local community. Recently they were commissioned by Llyods Business Banking on Bangles for their clients on International Women’s Day and Cultureville has curated Fashion shows and IWD day events celebrating women, culture and fashion. About Cultureville – African Print Clothing Store

Opportunities:

  • 10 Female Models
  • 5 Male Models
  • 2 DJ’s Afrobeats and classical RnB Hiphop
  • 4 Spoken Word Artists
  • 4 Music Artists
  • 4 Runners/Volunteers
  • 3 Make – up Artists
  • 2 Hairstylists

To APPLY:

  • Please fill in an artist registration PLEASE CLICK HERE
  • Provide 250 words about yourself and your practice.
  • Provide 250 words: Why you would like to be a part of BlackFest 2023 and experience in fashion industry.
  • We accept the above via Word Doc or in the body of an email.
  • Send all entries/applications to email:  festivalapplication@blackfest.co.uk

Application Deadline: 23rd April 2023
Shortlisting: 24th April 2023 – 25th April 2023
Interviews: 26th April 2023 – 28th April 2023

Disclaimer:

Commissions for this category of the festival are varied upon experience and portfolio. Announcements will be made in July. You must be available for few dates in JULY 2023 where we will be doing individual and group headshots which will include networking and collaboration with all festival artists involved. You must be available for rehearsals and tech August – September.

Visual Arts

BlackFest is commissioning 4 Visual Artists this year to exhibit existing work and facilitate a workshop based on their exhibition. We are looking for audacious artists looking at lived experiences, cultural liberation coming from a rooted place.

Our offer:

– Gallery Space at 2023 festival
– Free marketing and promotion of your work
– Reach new audience and promote your collection
– Cost of transporting your pieces covered
– Visual Arts Launch Post show discussion
– Workshop fee
– Portfolio support
– Build a relationship with an established arts organisation.
– Network with likeminded artists and creatives
– Be a part of BlackFest Cohort 2023
– Be a part of BlackFest Creative Collective
receiving discounted tickets within arts events nationally and wider opportunities

TO APPLY:

  • Please fill in an artist registration form PLEASE CLICK HERE
  • Provide 250 words about yourself and your practice.
  • Provide 250 words why you would like to be a part of BlackFest 2023 and a bit about your exhibit you’d like to curate.
  • We accept the above via Word Doc or in the body of an email.
  • Send all entries/applications to email:  festivalapplication@blackfest.co.uk

Disclaimer:

Announcements will be made in July. You must be available for few dates in JULY 2023 where we will be doing individual and group headshots which will include networking and collaboration with all
festival artists involved. You must be available for few training, peer to peer networking support August – September.

Application Deadline: 23rd April 2023
Shortlisting: 24th April 2023 – 25th April 2023
Interviews: 26th April 2023 – 28th April 2023

Photo collage
Three people sitting on a panel taking place in an art gallery. The middle person is holding a microphone for the person on the right to speak.
https://www.blackfest.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/242409474_3018445565080617_7783472888143575056_n-3-640x480.jpg
An artist performing on stage holding a microphone.

Celebration Night

BlackFest hosts a special evening to celebrate the end of the festival, and to look to the future as we honour a night in Black History Month with remembrance, celebration, peace and love.

We are accepting applications from poets, musicians, bands, comedy excerpts, community choirs, young people’s groups and community production.

TO APPLY:

  • Please fill in an artist registration form PLEASE CLICK HERE
  • Provide 250 words about yourself, your practice and examples of your work.
  • Provide 250 words why you would like to be a part of BlackFest 2023
  • Send all entries/applications to email: festivalapplication@blackfest.co.uk

Application Deadline: 23rd April 2023

Shortlisting: 24th April 2023 – 25th April 2023

Interviews: 26th April 2023 – 28th April 2023

Announcements will be made in July. You must be available for few dates in JULY 2023 where we will be doing individual and group headshots which will include networking and collaboration with all

festival artists involved. You must be available for few training, peer to peer networking support August – September.

Traders and Stall Holders

Throughout the festival there will be spaces available for traders to have a stall at the event.

Our offer:

– Space at 2023 festival 2022 events previously saw over Pier head: 3000+ visitors Palm House: 700+
– Free marketing and promotion of your business
– Reach new audience and promote your business
– Training support to increase your output.
– Build a relationship with an established arts organisation.
– Network with likeminded artists and creatives
– Be a part of BlackFest Cohort 2023
– Be a part of BlackFest Creative Collective
receiving discounted tickets within arts events nationally and wider opportunities

TO APPLY:

  • Please fill in this Trader Registration Form
  • Provide 250 words about yourself and your practice.
  • Provide 250 words why you would like to be a part of BlackFest 2023 and a bit about your business any challenges you face.
  • We accept the above via Word Doc or in the body of an email.
  • Send all entries/applications to email:  festivalapplication@blackfest.co.uk

Terms and Conditions Disclaimer:

Announcements will be made in July. You must be available for few dates in JULY 2023 where we will be doing individual and group headshots which will include networking and collaboration with all festival artists involved. You must be available for few training, peer to peer networking support August – September.

Application Deadline: 23rd April 2023
Shortlisting: 24th April 2023 – 25th April 2023
Interviews: 26th April 2023 – 28th April 2023

Members of the public looking at goods being sold at an outdoor stall.
A stallholder standing behind their stall, which sells fashion and hair accessories.
A caterer standing behind their food stall, holding a paper cup.

Caterers

BlackFest have always had 100% turn over in investing in local Black plant based and Afro Caribbean caterers at the festival celebration event and other well being events. If you are a caterer Please let yourself be known to us. We will be happy to expand in capacity and commissioning caterers to deliver authentic flavours that speak to our audiences and brings education and knowledge to those experiencing flavours for the first time.

  • Please fill in this Trader Registration Form
  • Provide 250 words about yourself and your practice.
  • Provide 250 words why you would like to be a part of BlackFest 2023 and a bit about your business any challenges you face.
  • We accept the above via Word Doc or in the body of an email.
  • Send all entries/applications to email:  festivalapplication@blackfest.co.uk

Application Deadline: 23rd April 2023
Shortlisting: 24th April 2023 – 25th April 2023
Interviews: 26th April 2023 – 28th April 2023

Terms and Conditions Disclaimer:

Announcements will be made in July. You must be available for few dates in JULY 2023 where we will be doing individual and group headshots which will include networking and collaboration with all festival artists involved. You must be available for few training, peer to peer networking support August – September.

BlackFest Open Proposals

This year 2023 we want to open our doors to accepting proposals from community members, artists, and businesses that would like to collaborate with us.

BlackFest are committed to effectively working with communities, artists and audiences.

We are here to support in sharing resources, ideas and supporting you to manifest your aspirations.

Do you have a passion project you’d like to realise? Are you a community group or individual doing amazing things in the city or starting out? Let us enable you to build or add to your portfolio and help you gain valuable industry experience and making your dreams a reality.

We have many case studies of community members, socially trading businesses, artists that we have supported and boosted their vision in working with us and created further momentum and opportunities for growth across Liverpool City Region. In turn they have come under the radar of various arts, community organisations providing more equitable work.

Please put in your enquiry and we will get back to you in ways we can support and collaborate with you/your organisation/group on your vision, enhance and work on a collective shared visions. To APPLY please Click Here.

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