Calling all Birmingham artists, makers, companies and creatives, we are looking to commission two new elements for Birmingham Weekender 2023: a visual art design installation and a mid-large scale outdoor performance. Applications to submit your proposals are now open.

Birmingham Weekender is a major free outdoor festival taking place from 25 – 28 Aug and will see the city’s streets, squares and shopping centres burst into colourful life. With surprising and spectacular performances and immersive experiences from local, national and international artists, the vibrant festival is set to excite and inspire people of all ages.

We are looking for concepts that embrace the joy, colour and playfulness of the festival, while also being able to immerse audiences to create collective, memorable, “goosebumps” moments with people of all ages.

Commissions outline

We are pleased to be able to offer two commissions:

1. Design Installation Commission – download brief

A Visual Art Design Installation commission (total available budget a maximum of £20,000) to develop and deliver a design concept for the Rotunda Square site at the heart of Birmingham Weekender Festival 2023.

The design concept must include a striking installation that will be visible from a distance and incorporate the design for a performance stage that is curated by young people, including Hippodrome Young Advocates. The installation could incorporate suspended elements alongside ground-based structures, interactivity and other technologies or mediums.

2. Performance Commission – download brief

A mid-large scale Outdoor Processional / Walkabout performance commission (total available budget a maximum of £15,000) to conceive and realise an outdoor performance spectacle to take place within the festival.

This performance should be able to start and end a day of the programme on Saturday 26 August 2023 with at least two performances at around 12pm and 5pm. We see the commission being a processional performance which can travel across multiple sites within the festival, from Rotunda Square with the iconic Bullring Bull, through to Hippodrome Square in Southside.

Commissions are exclusive of VAT, details of what to include in the commission fees are detailed within the commission brief documentation.

How to apply

Details of what to include within your proposal are included within each commission brief.

All applications and any queries must be submitted by Mon 19 June at 10am and sent to festivals@birminghamhippodrome.com with your project name and ‘Birmingham Weekender’ in the subject line.

An online Q&A session to find out more about the commission will be held on Tue 6 June from 6.30pm to 7.30pm. If you wish to attend, please email festivals@birminghamhippodrome.com with ‘Information Session’ in the subject line.

A selection day will take place on Thu 29 June with potential creatives invited to meet the team to discuss proposals in more detail.

Timeline

  • Fri 26 May – Applications open
  • Tue 6 June – 6.30pm to 7.30pm – Online Q&A session
  • Mon 19 June – 10am – Deadline for proposals
  • Thu 29 June – Selection day
  • w/c Mon 12 July – Selected projects announced