The Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site (DVMWHS) is a place that changed the world. It is a place where the dramatic power of the landscape was harnessed through human ingenuity, leading to industrial developments that revolutionised the way people worked and lived. Derwent Valley Mills was inscribed a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001.

Arts organisation Beam have been appointed as Creative Producer to lead on an ambitious contemporary arts programme as part of the DVMWHS Great Place programme. We would like to hear from artists with a strong connection to the area who would be interested in contributing to a programme of ‘pop-up’ events to engage residents and visitors with unusual spaces across the site.

Over the next 18 months there will be approximately six pop up events including opportunities to be part of the Discovery Days programme in autumn 2019 and autumn 2020.

The activities are funded as a Great Place Scheme, a partnership between the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), Arts Council England and supported by Historic England. The Great Place Scheme is designed to pilot new approaches that enable cultural and community groups to work more closely together and to place heritage at the heart of communities. Running between 2017 and 2020, the activities are the next step in engaging people with the uniqueness of the Derwent Valley. The industrial heritage of innovation and making will inspire arts activities for people to connect and communicate with the culture and heritage at the heart of the World Heritage Site.

DVMWHS boasts a number of established heritage and tourist attractions such as Cromford Mills and the Derby Silk Mill. This project aims to shine a light on some of the lesser known sites such as High Peak Junction, Masson Mills and Milford. Please refer to the DVMWHS map for details of the overall site:

http://www.derwentvalleymills.org/map-of-attractions/

We are interested to hear from artists and creative practitioners with a strong connection to the area and who have project ideas that could animate these heritage sites. The aim of the project is to encourage audiences and residents to explore the breadth of DVMWHS and see it through new eyes.

Even though the sites are all very varied and distinct we would like to make connections and linkages across the 16 mile valley and engage local people and residents in the site as a whole.

Artforms could include (but are not limited to): light, installation, music, visual art, performance, sound, dance and work which is interactive or uses new technologies. All work must respond to the site and be appropriate for a range of audiences. Project bursaries for artists commissions will range from £200 to £2000.  

The deadline for expressions of interest is 5th November 2018, we will be in touch following conversations with the project steering group, venues and partners following this.

It is preferred that expressions of interest for this opportunity are submitted via the Curatorspace portal, although if you have any difficulties or queries please email yvonne@beam.uk.net

Please note there are also 2 major commission opportunities being advertised as part of this scheme also currently live on Curatorspace.