Each year we design a diverse and eclectic programme that aims to develop artists through the production of individual projects, and further refines Beaconsfield’s curatorial model.
Our creative capital works hand in hand with exceptional physical facilities offering three large exhibition spaces with a combined floor area of 406.5 m2. The historically charged venue has been adapted, developed and maintained over a 30 year period to create a unique arts environment. The programme is delivered through broadly defined strands (see below) generating new experimental work, realised through public exhibitions, events, publishing and broadcast. Each strand has a specific curatorial agenda and strategic link-back into our vision.
These flexible programming strands function in complementary relationship enabling a continuous creative output.
Earth AIR
Environmental Artists In Residence. We understand ‘environment’ to mean social and cultural context as well as the geographical earth for which we are responsible.
FlatBed Editions
Beaconsfield’s publishing arm for limited edition artworks and print-based media. ‘FlatBed’ provides an opportunity for artists to disseminate their work, support the charity Beaconsfield and to benefit financially themselves.
FlatScreen
Screen-based art in the Lower Gallery operates on two computer controlled screens. ‘FlatScreen’ offers an all-year-round programme of moving image works linked to exhibitions elsewhere on the premises.
Fraternise
‘Fraternise’ is BGV’s scheme for artist-patrons of the organisation, whereby artworks (the Collection) are held in trust as assets. In Spring 2011, the first Fraternise fundraising exhibition took place on the premises including commercially significant artists such as Adam Dix, Tracey Emin and Damien Hirst.
Mentor
‘Mentor’ is used to describe the busy programme of teaching, mentoring and work experience that both supports and is generated by commissioned artistic activity. Teaching relationships with a number of Fine Art courses in Higher Education often extend to practical curatorial exercises on Beaconsfield’s site.
Phase
Solo, venue-wide exhibition opportunities with a retrospective element and on-site residency. ‘Phase’ confirms Beaconsfield’s commitment to long-term outcomes, by turning the spotlight on mid-career visual artists with whom the organisation has a significant relationship.
Society
‘Society’ is the title for the programming strand that embraces our unique public events. Previous themes have included Art & Compromise (lecture series) delivered in collaboration with City & Guilds Art School), FlatScreen Talks (public discussions), Mother of All Parties (legendary performance events) and the occasional club Society (discursive socials revolving around food).
Soundtrap
Soundtrap’ is our sonic residency programme with CD/digital/vinyl outputs. Soundtrap has produced extraordinary new works in the field and establishes Beaconsfield as an innovator and primary source of sound art.
TestBed
‘TestBed’ signals our role as a mentoring organisation, demonstrates our function as an incubator and generates visual/digital technology commissions, tied to residencies, for emerging artists.
BAW
‘BAW’ (Beaconsfield Art Works) is the moniker for the artist-directors (A. David Crawforth and Naomi Siderfin), collaborating on flexible, experimental solo works (since 1995) commissioned by outside agencies.
The work that we deliver to the public on and off site is produced by a signature collaborative artistic practice and direction that remains with Beaconsfield’s founding artist-directors.