Test Valley Arts Foundation

14/12/2023

In October we were delighted to present a lasting and tangible recognition of Test Valley Borough Council’s support for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people, through the medium of visual art. A painting by Maryna Melnyk entitled ‘Our Sun Is Already Rising’ was presented at a full Council meeting, and is now on display in the public area of the Council offices in Andover.

Yinnon Ezra MBE, Chairman of TVAF said, "The purchase, besides being an excellent piece of visual art, is a symbol of our support for Ukraine's struggle to retain independence. The presentation to TVBC is both to re-enforce this and also highlight, and thank, the support the community of the Test Valley is continuing to give to a number of Ukrainian families who have made a temporary home in our Borough."

14/09/2023

On Saturday the 2nd of September we were invited to attend the East Tytherley September Fayre, which we did enthusiastically, to support our local community.

Apparently 2,000 attendees visited the event on a hot, summer's day, in a field next to the church in the village.

The Granary Creative Arts Centre's Kezia Hoffman and Amanda Kane-Smith of Merry go Round Storytelling were on hand to engage young people with visual art activities and the spoken word through story telling.

A fantastic afternoon was had by all!

05/06/2023

Our Trustee, Georgiana Robertson was recently awarded an Honorary Fellowship by the University of Wi******er in recognition of her contribution to the Blue Apple Theatre.

Blue Apple’s Chair Emeritus was Chair of Wi******er’s Blue Apple Theatre and charity for almost seven years, and a trustee prior to that.

To read more:
https://www.hampshirechronicle.co.uk/news/23070566.university-winchester-awards-blue-apples-chair-emeritus-georgiana-robertson-honorary-fellowship/

05/06/2023

Last week our Chair of Trustees attended the opening concert of the Romsey Chamber Music Festival 30th May - 4th June) which TVAF has supported for a number of years.

What a wonderful programme of events!

Well Done all involved!

🎻 🎹 🎵

Romsey Chamber Music Festival

22/05/2023

*Call for Expressions of Interest: Andover Parklets Project*

TVBC have launched the ‘Andover Parklets Project’ and are inviting expressions of interest to help deliver them.

There is a commission brief for the design, build, installation and maintenance of a ‘Parklet’ on Andover High Street through August this summer.

TVBC is ideally looking for a community organisation or consortium to deliver this.

TVBC are keen to try and make it happen as a pilot scheme this summer, which if successful could be evolved and expanded in future years.

Please note the short deadline!

If you are interested or would like an informal chat then please contact Rebecca Maddox, Cultural Event Curator at TVBC on [email protected]

Project Commission Brief:

Vision

Parklets are temporary installations on the street which create an informal space for members of the public to stop, sit, rest and meet while taking in the activities of the street. They can be used to bring greenery, art and playfulness to urban environments.

This project is intended for Andover High Street to create a communal space accessible and open to anyone, encouraging dwell time in the town centre and providing new points of interest and interaction.

Test Valley Borough Council are asking for expressions of interest from local organisations to deliver this project. Consortium applications which bring together multiple organisations to collaborate on delivery are encouraged.

Aims & Objectives
• To create a temporary piece of street furniture for installation on Andover High Street during the Summer of 2023.
• To create a micro-space in the town centre which demonstrates social, environmental and wellbeing benefit and uses public space creatively.
• To provide an opportunity for collaboration between community groups through the project delivery and management.
• To pilot a scheme which could be developed and expanded, in line with the town’s long term public realm strategy.

Design Brief
We are seeking design proposals for a temporary street installation on Andover High Street. Designs must meet the following criteria:
• Include planting and have a clear plan for maintenance of plants.
• Be interactive, i.e provide space for the public to sit and/or play.
• Be no more than 4m in height and 200 cubic metres in capacity.
• Not be fixed to the ground.
• Be fully accessible.
• Consider sustainability and the environment through use of materials and disposal planning.
• Demonstrate quality construction & design aesthetics.
• Address any health & safety concerns.

Proposals are encouraged to be creative and playful in their approach. See example images of existing parklets below for inspiration.

Location
The installation will be situated on Andover High Street, exact position tbc.

Project Roles & Responsibilities
The successful applicant will be responsible for:
• The design and fabrication of the structure.
• Installation and de-rig, in liaison with Test Valley Borough Council.
• Providing a maintenance plan, including care of any plants.
• Arranging a plan for the project end-of-life to re-use, re-purpose or re-locate the structure and/or materials sustainably.
• Supplying information required for press releases and promotion.

The project lead will hold and provide evidence of relevant public liability insurance and professional indemnity insurance, and take responsibility for any third party contractors.

Project Management & Timeline
This project is managed by Test Valley Borough Council. The process will be subject to approval at the following check points:
Recruitment of Project Lead(s) - Initial design and project plans submitted. May 2023
Appointment of Project Lead(s) W/B 5 June 2023
Detailed project plan submitted including details of materials used, construction methods, dimensions, installation methods, maintenance, risk assessment and costings. Feedback given. W/B 26 June 2023
Approval of final design and maintenance plan. W/B 3 July 2023
Mid-construction check point W/B 17 July 2023
Completion of Installation 1 Aug 2023
Completion of de-rig. W/B 4 Sept 2023

Budget
Up to £5,000 is available to cover the full commission and it should be noted that this includes:
• Time for design, fabrication and maintenance.
• Meetings with partners and relevant agencies.
• Materials, transport and installation.

Maintenance
We expect the commissioned organisation to undertake any maintenance or repairs required during the 3 month period. This includes care (e.g. watering) of plants. This responsibility can be delegated to another organisation subject to agreement by TVBC and the relevant organisation.

How To Apply
Your application should be submitted no later than Monday 22nd May to include:
• A proposal outlining your approach to the commission including at least one design proposal, management plan and budget breakdown. Max 3 A4 pages.
• Examples of recent relevant work and commissions. Max 2 A4 pages.
You must demonstrate the following in your expression of interest:
• Evidence of the ability to produce high quality design and construction.
• Clear demonstration of how your design proposal meets the criteria.

Applications and enquiries should be sent by email to:
Rebecca Maddox, Cultural Events Curator [email protected]

Linked documents
Equal Opportunities Policy
http://www.testvalley.gov.uk/aboutyourcouncil/corporatedirection/equality---diversity/equalities/

22/05/2023

*Artist Selling Opportunities in the Test Valley*

TVBC have lots of current opportunities for designers, makers, artists and creatives to sell their work within the borough.

Here are some details:

Second Sundays Andover
is a new monthly curated street market on Andover High Street. TVBC are currently accepting new applications from artists and designer makers who’d like to trade with them. Visit our website for more information about the events and to fill in their trader application form.
https://www.secondsundaysandover.co.uk/

Andover’s Secret Boot Sale
combines thrift shopping, bargain hunting, food, games, live music and art on the top floor of the town’s Multi Story Car Park on June 18th & October 15th. Pitches cost just £5 to trade and could be a great well to clear out your cupboards, including affordable original artworks such as seconds. For further information visit:
https://www.thechantrycentre.com/secret-boot-sale

Romsey Makers Market
The South Central Makers Markets are held most Sundays 10am until 3pm on The Palmertson Marketplace Piazza and The Cornmarket.
Dates:
May - 21st, 28th
June - 4th, 11th & 25th
July - 2nd, 9th, 16th (Part of Romsey Festival - see below)
July - 30th
August - 13th, 20th & 27th
September - 10th, 17th & 24th
October - 1st, 8th, 22nd & 29th
November - 5th, 19th & 26th
December - 3rd, 10th & 17th
Find out more here:
https://markets.southcentralmakers.co.uk/

Stockbridge Makers Market
These are held once a month - Saturdays 10am - 4pm at Stockbridge Town Hall.
Dates:
May - 20th
June - 17th
July - 15th
August - 6th *Sunday* (With Trout 'n' About)
September - 9th
October - 27th (Friday - half term)
November 17th (Friday) & 25th
December 15th & 16th (Friday and Saturday)
Find out more here:
https://markets.southcentralmakers.co.uk/

*No tables or chairs are supplied at the outdoor markets. We do have some gazebos for hire, and spaces for trader owned gazebos too. For a full list of dates – Please see our What’s On page.

06/05/2023

Show us your Coronation Crown!

Hashtag
to show us your Coronation creations today!

13/03/2023

Part Time Freelance Flexible Arts Admin / Events Organiser / Arts Project Manager /s

The Test Valley Arts Foundation are now looking to add to its ‘pool’ of freelance and flexible Arts Admin, Events Organisers and Project Managers for a number of projects which are coming up.

The positions are on a freelance, self contained project by project basis.

The positions will deliver, reporting to the Director and Board of Trustees, pre-defined arts and cultural projects and events working with a range of partners within the borough of the Test Valley.

Part of the project management and delivery of the role will be to write impact and evaluation reports for funding bodies, so will require assessment built into the delivery process.

The Test Valley Arts Foundation has a thirty year history of facilitating culture, creativity and the arts within the borough of the Test Valley, from Andover to Romsey and all the surrounding villages in between and beyond. TVAF works on the belief that the use of culture and the arts can be used to connect communities, transform places and enrich lives for the better.

Our mission is to support Culture and the Arts in all its forms within the Test Valley, through Making Connections by creating a cultural network for the whole community to use and access; through Making Things Happen by supporting cultural events to take place within the community and through Making A Difference by raising funds to distribute within the borough to facilitate cultural activity.

We believe that the Arts and Culture can be used as economic drivers to help small businesses, support entrepreneurialism, encourage creativity, foster well being, self expression, and self esteem as well as forge relationships by creating connections.

To apply, please send your covering letter outlining why you are interested in the flexible freelance role, your previous experience, if you are flexible and freelance, what your hourly, half day and full date rate is, along with your current CV to the Director at [email protected]

10/03/2023

Abbotswood Easter Fun Day on Saturday April 1st from 1.30pm to 3.30pm. Come along for some Arts & Crafts with Elizabeth Hammond and have a bounce on the bouncy castle. There will also be some refreshments - All FREE. Also, Sian from Toddler Sense will be here for a free taster session. All children will need to be accompanied by an adult. Please register your attendance at www.abbotswoodromsey.co.uk

07/03/2023

Call for Expressions of Interest

The Test Valley Arts Foundation will be taking part in its annual events programme in 2023 including
Eastleigh Mela – 23rd July
Trout ‘n About – 6th August
Romsey Show – 9th September
amongst others.

We’ve got exiting things planned for our physical stand presence this year and would like to hear from any individuals, companies or organisations within the cultural, creative industries or artistic sphere, who can help facilitate ‘experiential’ sessions on site for visitors at these events.

This might be a ceramicist offering ‘have a go pot making’, a textile artist facilitating t-shirt decoration, a jewellery maker running a bead threading bracelet session, a fine artist facilitating a ‘5 minute masterpiece’ workshop, a choral society running an ensemble music and singing session, a tech hub offering AR experiences - the possibilities are endless.

The fee will be paid as a freelance day rate and materials would have to be covered within this cost.

Ideally there would be a ‘take away’ element for participants – our audience is usually children – but we’d like to engage all audience groups and demographics. We are not fixed and welcome any ideas you might have.

For expressions of interest please email [email protected] for more information.

01/03/2023

Call for Applications:

The CAS Open - A National Open Exhibition open to 3D, sculpture, print, painting, installation, digital, film

Application Deadline: 3 March 2023

CAS is pleased to announce its first entirely open exhibition, giving you the chance to have your work displayed in the unique CAS space. We are looking for the best of talent from around the country.

There is no theme to this exhibition so that you are free to submit your best work regardless of subject matter . Works can include any medium of art which may fall into the category of 3D, sculpture, print, painting, installation, digital, film.

Maximum size for wall works submitted will be 150cm x 150 cm. Maximum size for floor based sculpture, 100 x 100 floor space, height can be up to 3m.

Eligibility

Open to all artists. Artists may enter up to 3 works, no production date restriction applies.

2D works may be no larger than 150x 150cm, 3D works must have a footprint no larger than 100x100cm but height can be up to 3m.

Judges

The judging panel will consist of artist and curator, Artist/curator Rosalind Davis, CAS curator and artist Susan Francis, CAS Creative Director and artist, David Dixon.

Awards

CAS solo award of £1000 will go to a selected artist to exhibit in Feb 2024. If you apply for the solo award, you should be able to fulfill the commitment to develop work in communication with the curator, ready for display in February 2024.

Graduate award - artists less than 3 years from graduation will have access to 3 x one hour mentoring sessions with CAS staff over the following year/free CAS associate membership for one year

People’s award - sponsored by TVAF, the general public will be able to vote for their favourite artwork in the people’s award. The winner will receive £300

Dates

Deadline to apply 03 March 2023

Selection panel meets Mid March

Results announced on our website 31 march 2023

PLEASE NOTE we will only contact successful applicant personally by email, please go to the website to see the announcement of successful artists

Exhibition Sat 20 May - Sat 1 July 2023

Drop off of selected work Wed 3, Thurs 4, Fri 5 May

PV Sat 20 May 6-8pm

Solo award and student award announced at the PV

Peoples award will be announced on our website at the close of the exhibition on 1 July

Collection of work - Wed 5, Thurs 6, Fri 7 July

Submission fee

£15 for up to three pieces of work

PLEASE NOTE: CAS associate artists can apply for free

Exhibition location: Chapel Arts Studios, Andover SP10 1DP

Chapel Arts Studios (CAS) is a socially engaged contemporary visual arts charity based in Andover, Hampshire. We are a National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) and it is our mission to work with our partners to support artists and experience high quality art with our communities. We are driven by makin...