Windrush Amplified Art Grant

Hackney Council are pleased to announce the Windrush Amplified Art Grant. This £3,000 grant will be awarded to a photographer, artist, poet, writer, artist collective, school or community group to deliver print-based work which responds to the theme; ‘Windrush: Past. Present. Future’. 

The selected work will be displayed on a number of public billboards around the borough and on the Love Hackney digital channels throughout June 2024 as part of the Council's annual Windrush celebrations.

We are looking for submissions from the Windrush generation, or their descendants, who wish to elevate their practice to a public art level or simply share their talents or stories with the community via text-based work. Submission should come from people who live in Hackney or have a strong connection to the borough. 

We are not expecting completed works, rather a demonstration of what you would like to achieve with the fund.

You will need to explain how the £3,000 would cover costs of materials, equipment, participant expenses or workshops and any other fees related to the production or delivery. This also includes your own day rate.

We also welcome existing work that fits the brief.

In this case, the application can be for an artist fee/day rate, or to build or expand on what already exists. 

The recipient/s will need to demonstrate how they will work mindfully to obtain representations that appropriately tell and expand the ongoing legacy of the Windrush community. Submissions do not need to be from a professional and camera phones can be used for photographic applications.

Banner photo credit: The Real Life Selfie project & Autograph as part of the Windrush 2021 programme.

Additional objectives

Within the past, present and future theme, the aim of this project is to diversify and add depth to the Windrush story. These additional objectives are: 

  • To expand the narrative of the Windrush story - moving away from singular narratives that limit the community to one group of people from one island, class, age group, ship or story of injustice and encourage exploration of the wider experience and history so we can present an authentic and dynamic account for future generations.

  • Preserve and share the stories and history of the Windrush generation for future generations.  

Desired outcomes

  • Creation of new public artwork that explores the diverse identities and positive representation of the Windrush generation and their descendants.

  • Intergenerational engagement and contribution from the Windrush generation and their descendants. 

  • For residents to gain a greater understanding of the diversity of the Windrush generation and their lived experiences.

  • To fund a Hackney-based artist or group from the Windrush community and highlight talent for future opportunities.

Who can apply?

You do not need to be a professional artist/published writer to make an application. Professional equipment is not necessary. All work will need to be submitted digitally/on email/sent as a file. The following are eligible to apply for the Windrush Amplified Art Grant:

  • Artists from the Windrush generation or their descendants. The ‘Windrush Generation’ refers to UK residents who came to the UK from any Commonwealth country before 1973 as well as UK residents from any country who were legally settled in the UK prior to the end of 1988. Their descendants are anyone related as a family member.

  • Group/class applications will need to demonstrate that a majority of their membership belongs to the Windrush generation or their descendants.

  • Hackney-based artists or those with a strong historical connection to the borough.

  • Photographers (camera phone photography is accepted).

  • Print based artists (your work will need to be submitted online so photographs of art/digital versions will be needed).

  • Artist/writer collectives and community groups (i.e writer/poetry/photography clubs and groups).

  • School classes / education groups.

Who cannot apply?

  • Those who cannot demonstrate a strong connection to the Windrush community or Hackney.

  • Applications for the purpose of brand marketing / selling goods / political / religious messaging or services. 

Deadline

Midnight, Monday 1 April 2024. We will notify you of the decision on your application soon after. Successful projects must deliver and complete their project by 13th May 2024 ready to be processed in time for the billboards. Please only apply to this grant if you can deliver the work on time.  

ACCESS: if you need support completing this application, or have further questions please contact culture@hackney.gov.uk and title your email: ACCESS SUPPORT Windrush Amplified Art Project. 

A FULL PDF APPLICATION FORM IS AVAILABLE HERE , or click here for a FULL WORD APPLICATION FORM   - this is so you can read the full form, questions and draft your responses. It should not be used as your application. Applications will only be accepted via this Google form.