Document: Artist Networks & Critday

We know from asking around that and peer groups and networking activities are something that artists really value. We also know that it’s hard to find out where these groups exist and how they operate as well as how to get involved, especially if you’re new to the region.

We’ve been collecting details from groups around the region and this autumn we’re creating a profile for the East Midlands’ artist-led community on our site. Shortly we will be producing an interactive map featuring artist groups, collectives, projects and organisations so you’ll be able to find out what’s available in your area.

If you are part of a group, collective, project or organisation and would like to be included in the feature, with your details promoted through our regional and national networks, get in touch.

In addition to the map, and in association with our Document project, this month we are championing #critday. Between 23rd and 29th September each of our Document artists will instigate a crit within their studio groups or as an open opportunity to promote this most valuable of opportunities and to encourage the networking and peer to peer learning that happens during these sessions.

We’d like to encourage other crits to happen during that time so that there’s lots for people to choose from. Contact us if you run or are involved in a crit session that you’d like to promote as part of #critday.

Our Document artists are: Andrew BraceyGeoff Litherland, Jessica Harby, Kajal Nisha Patel, Tim Shore and Tracey Kershaw.

To mark the occasion the artists have produced a #critday manifesto, a set of principles they believe every good crit should uphold. Use the manifesto.

The crit sessions are:

Saturday 23rd September, 2–4pm, NN Contemporary Art, Northampton – BOOK A PLACE
Tuesday 26th September, 2 – 4pm, studioName, Leicester – BOOK A PLACE
Wednesday 27th September, Lincoln
Thursday 28th September, 2.30 – 4.30pm, QUAD, Derby – BOOK A PLACE
Thursday 28th September, Wirksworth
Friday 29th September, 6 – 8pm, Backlit, Nottingham – BOOK A PLACE