A CALL TO ARTISTS

As part of A Summer Squall multi-arts festival, which takes place in Ramsgate on the Kent 

coast from Saturday 23 – Monday 25 August, we would like to invite an artist to be in 

residence in Ramsgate beginning Friday 8 August and continuing until Monday 25 

August. The commitment may extend beyond 25 August to complete the project. 

 

A Summer Squall is a lynchpin project produced by Ramsgate Arts which was established 

in 2009 as a collaboration of artistic endeavours, aiming to introduce new artists, 

showcase national professional artists and encourage the exploration of creative art with 

the community. 

 

Funding has been awarded by Arts Council England for the 4th successive year and for 

this project specifically. This support, and that of other trusts, foundations and local 

businesses is testament to the continued growth and creative development inspired by the 

festival, which last year attracted over 20,000 people and hopes to encourage even more 

in 2014. 

 

As part of the festival, we are introducing a new opportunity to transform a public space, 

namely, a public lavatory block, constructed of concrete, which sits by the royal harbour, 

juxtaposed alongside the marvellous Victorian Royal Pavilion (currently closed) and the 

newly re-opened Ramsgate Maritime Museum, in the Grade II – listed Georgian clock 

house. A few feet from the block is the obelisk which commemorates the visit of King 

George IV in 1821, when he gave the harbour his royal seal of approval. 

 

The Criteria 

We are looking for an artist who is able to transform the chosen structure into something 

worthy of admiration. The artist will be chosen for their ability to interact and engage with 

the public as well as their artistic ideas. The residency will be based in the beautiful and 

historical town of Ramsgate. Applications are invited from artists who either live or work in 

East Kent. 

 

The Brief 

To use the building as a canvas and design an image or series of images to transform it 

from a dull block into something of beauty. We are interested in the concept of trompe 

d’oeil, using the heritage of the area for inspiration, but we are inviting the chosen artist to  

© Ramsgate Arts, December 2009 2 

 

suggest and carry out a design that the town will feel proud to have featuring in this very 

prime busy location. 

 

Please send a minimum of three and no more than six images of your work and a brief 

proposal, approximately 500 words, explaining how you would intend to produce the 

artwork and how you will engage the community in the project. 

 

The Timeframe 

Proposals need to be submitted by 5pm Monday 21 July 

Interviews will be held on Friday 25 July 

Submissions should be emailed to ginabstocken@googlemail.com 

 

The commission for this residency is £1700. Material costs and any supporting artists for delivery 

are considered in the budget of the project and will be discussed at the interviews. 

 

For further information please visit www.ramsgatearts.org or contact me if you would like to 

discuss it further.