guidelines for participants

We want this project to be exciting to participate in and to watch.  So we are keeping it simple to allow you as much freedom as possible.

Application procedure

Application is by filling out a short form that will be available on this website between one minute past midnight, May 1st and 7pm, May 19th.  Applications are now closed.

In this form, we will ask for a very short outline (50 words or less) of what you plan to do on the plinth, but this is all you will need to prepare initially.

We have 22 slots to fill and we expect to be oversubsribed with applications.  If so, a completely random selection will be made from the applications received.

We will inform all applicants if they have been successful or not, and if so when their allocated slot will be.  You should expect to hear in the days immediately following the close of applications, approximately a month before the project begins.

Following that, we will ask for more details about you and your plans.

Guidelines for your residency on the fourth plinth

The plinth is approximately 3m x3m and about 10cm off the ground.  We can provide access for wheelchair users if needed.  It will be in the middle of the space and accessible from 3 sides.

Your residency will be for one day between the hours of 9.30am and 4.30pm.  You are welcome to use the first hour of your residency to set up, this will be in the public eye.

Your residency can take any form you would like – it might be a performance, an installation, a display, a statement or simply you watching us.  All we ask is that you are present over the day and that you or something you bring is on the plinth throughout your allocated slot.

We have to have a few restrictions:

• many of our visitors come in family groups.  Because of this, we ask that there be no live nudity or extreme violence in your work.  We ask that you minimise sexual references and swearing.
• we have to be sure that you and the building will be safe.  Therefore any electrical equipment you bring must come with a current Portable Appliance Test sticker.  You can’t use any naked flames.  You will need to provide us with a risk assessment in advance if you intend to work at height.

Some of the most interesting art work explores political themes so we aren’t putting any restrictions on what you say.  We will be making clear to visitors that your words are your own rather than the museum’s and all normal legal frameworks will still apply.

We are able to supply you with any of the following if you ask: chairs, a table, easels, a tailor’s dummy, one power socket, a barrier.

FAQs

How much does participating cost?

It is free to take part, you just have to meet the costs of whatever work you do.  It’s also free for visitors to watch your work.

Can only artists apply?

No, participants just need to have something to say, or something to display.  You may be a professional or amateur artist, poet, maker, fashion designer, painter etc but participation is not based on your previous work.  We consider the Fourth Plinth project an artwork and the participants artists because of their involvement.

Do you have to live in Worcester?

Absolutely not.  We hope that the very creative people of Worcestershire will want to be involved, but the space is open for any participant who feels Worcester’s Fourth Plinth gives them the right context to express their ideas or display their work.

Can I sell work during my residency?

No.

What if get allocated a residency slot I can’t do?

The application form will ask you to list the dates you can’t participate and we will try to work around these where possible.

Can I apply with someone else?

Yes.  You can be in residence together or split the day up as you wish.

What help can I get to set up?

There will be one member of staff in the project space at all times but please do not rely on them to help you set up or help with your residency.  Please arrange the people or things you need to carry out your plans.

What formats will my residency be seen in?

As well as visitors to the building on your allocated day seeing your work, our aim is to have a live stream of the fourth plinth on this website.   We will take photographs of every day’s work and include them on this site which will be maintained until March 2013 and then archived on the Museums Worcestershire website.  We will provide information about all the residencies to the local and the specialist arts press and media.  Later in the year we will publish a catalogue with information and images from all the participants.

If you have other questions, please send them to fourthplinth@inbox.com and we will add them to these FAQs.