What is FRED?
FRED is a string of installations and artists' interventions across the county and beyond. It's not a festival, it's a FRED!
When is FRED?
FRED is happening between the 1st and the 10th October 2004
What kind of things does FRED entail?
FRED allows artists to realize those projects that they've always wanted to do, but never carry out either because there's no reason for it to happen and get people to see it, they can't afford the materials, they don't know how to do it or they just haven't been arsed before.
FRED is also there to raise the profile of art and artists in the area by encouraging artists to take their art to the public rather than expect the public to come to them. Artists can do this by presenting their work in a creative way that makes it easier for the public to access it. This may be putting art into pubs, trains, B&Bs, on walls and fences outside or even on the side of hills. The possibilities are endless (and exciting too). All we're asking artists to do to be part of FRED is present their work creatively. Pictures on the walls in the village hall are not FRED. A picture on the wall of a phone box however IS FRED. If you're still not sure if your project is FRED enough, don't worry; we can help you make your project be more FRED.
How long does the project have to last?
The whole FRED event is on for 10 days, however artists can participate as much or as little as they want. Projects can last for an hour or so, or be on for the whole 10 days, or even more. It really doesn't matter. We know you're all busy people, so we've made it as easy as possible to take part.
What kind of money are we talking about for materials and expenses?
As FRED is rather short notice this year, we've found a small amount of money to offer bursaries towards the production of new work for FRED. These are for material costs and some other expenses. We cannot pay artists for their time, but in return, we will give all the artists loads of publicity (see later). Remember that projects don't have to be big or expensive to be exciting. You don't have to create new work either. You may have work that hasn't been shown in the region, or just want to show your current work in a new or experimental fashion. There are plenty of opportunities to show art on t-shirts, on napkins in B&Bs, on buses (we've been offered one if someone wants to take that on) or in a field. FRED is more about art happening than money being spent.
Who does the publicity stuff?
We're doing all the publicity stuff. FRED will be promoted locally in the press, on the radio and telly and through posters and leaflets everywhere. We will be helping participating artists to raise their profile locally, because lets face it, how do you expect big collector in London know what you do if your next door neighbour doesn't? We will also market FRED at visitors from outside the region. Our target area for visitors are the 20 - 40 year olds who come to Cumbria to climb the fells, but who also would come to see innovative art if they knew it was going on and typically have a larger proportion of disposable income to buy art. The marketing will be a mixture of conventional methods and publicity-seeking art happening that will draw attention to the whole 10-day event. We also have the opportunity this year to be a fringe of the fringe of the Liverpool Biennial, which will also help get all the work noticed, by the art world. This is an artist-led event and the publicity will reflect that, with undoubtedly a fair chunk of tongue firmly embedded in cheek.
So, who's running it and making all the decisions?
Fold - an artist-led initiative in Kirkby Stephen are facilitating FRED. They will be organizing the publicity machine, getting the finances straight and generally keeping an eye on things to make sure that the end product is of a high quality. In addition, the Cumbria Network will be using the event to build a sense of artistic community across the area and will be providing support for artists sourcing materials or general know-how. The FRED team consists of:
Hilary Thorn - FRED project coordinator. For most purposes, she will be the first point of contact. Hilary has bucket loads of experience in managing artist-led events all over the world including projects in Melbourne and the Liverpool Biennial.
Kate Brundrett - the Cumbria Network coordinator. Kate will use the Cumbria Network to signpost artists to resources and each other to build on the quality in the Cumbrian product aspect of FRED. Kate has vast experience of delivering art projects in London and Cumbria.
Steve Messam - Fold project manager. Fold is responsible for getting the funding for FRED and keeping an eye on the finances. Fold will also be using its contacts to develop projects with rural communities and artists from outside the region. Steve has developed and managed arts projects in rural Cumbria, Yorkshire and County Durham for a number of years and is a dab hand at publicity stunts!
As well as being well-organised people, the FRED team are all working artists so we know all about what being an artist is really like.
Where's the money coming from then?
As this is written, not all the funding levels have been confirmed. The main chunk of funding this year is coming from Rural Regeneration Cumbria (nearly 50%). The rest will be coming from other grant making organizations and through sponsorship and goodwill.
Bottom line - who takes all the credit then?
The artists. All work will be credited to the individual artist regardless of how or why it was created and all copyright will remain with the artist as normal. FRED is designed to promote the work of artists in the region and innovative art in Cumbria. Any project that receives funding directly from FRED will need to credit FRED, Fold and its sponsors on any publicity. Obviously, FRED will credit any sponsorship you may get from other sources, but above all, each project is the sole reserve of the individual artist.
