Open call Pairing is caring:
Find your personal support figure

OCTOBER 2024 - JUNE 2025

Are you an emerging artist navigating the complexities of launching your career in the art world? Do you feel the need for guidance, support, and a sense of community as you embark on this journey? A network, subsidies, fair opportunities, cheap workspace, status as an artist: how do you do it??

In Pairing is Caring we match an ‘emerging’ artist with a more experienced one or a cultural worker so that knowledge on how to set up your career as an artist can be exchanged. This support person can then help you from time to time with your individual questions concerning new contacts, subsidies, remuneration, space, next steps in your career...

Together, you will decide how and under what conditions you want to organise this exchange.
On this matching day, you will meet a few experienced artists and/or cultural workers in your discipline, have a short talk and will then be matched with a supporting artist/cultural worker!

We focus on the disciplines of theater, performance, visual & media arts and multi-disciplinary practices.

HOW TO APPLY ? 

Send a CV & fill this form so we understand best where you are at on your path.
Please note: if a selection of participants needs to be made, we will select those who are most in need of support.

**The call is open from 17/04 to 01/06 . The form will be closed on 01/06 at 23:59

If you have any questions please contact us by email : thegapgroupbxl@protonmail.com

We are looking forward to meet you ! <3

 

 

 

 The (SOTA) Gap Group BXL !

 

Introducing Pairing is Caring Brussels:

Pairing is Caring Brussels is a project initiated by the SOTA Gap group, born out of the recognition of the challenges faced by emerging artists in establishing their careers. Our mission is to provide a supportive environment where emerging artists, irrespective of their backgrounds, receive the necessary tools and mentorship to thrive in the art world.

Our project envisions a community where emerging artists are paired with experienced mentors or cultural workers for a one-year commitment. Through monthly meetings, participants will receive career-oriented advice, support in navigating Brussels' art scene, guidance on  topics such as fundings, residency opportunities and project planning.

In addition to mentorship, we will offer a series of diverse workshops that will travel in different spaces both institutional or not that are actives in Brussels cultural ecology - such as De Markten, Kaaitheater, Iselp, etc. These workshops will explore different topics such as how to apply for subsidies, how to get the « allocation des arts » and many more.

15 to 25 participants can register to be part of an autonomous peer support group where emerging artists can gather to share knowledge, tackle challenges together and get feedback on their work. This year long trajectory will be a series of workshops and feedback sessions co-organized with the Gap group and the peer group. Registration for the peer group will open in September 2024.

Our journey begins with the matching event in October, followed by a series of workshops and feedback sessions throughout the year. Together, let's create a vibrant and inclusive artistic community in Brussels.

Key Objectives:

*Pair 50 emerging artists (25 FR/25 NL) to foster collaboration and exchange.
*Conduct workshops for 20 participants to enhance skills.
*Facilitate feedback and autonomous knowledge-sharing groups of 20 individuals to provide support and constructive criticism.

*Prioritize inclusivity and diversity by embracing artists from diverse disciplines and backgrounds.