Remember before Covid, when we had a public programme and ran residencies?

Well BUCKLE UP BUTTERCUP, IT’S ABOUT TO HAPPEN AGAIN!

This year Failbetter is going to be doing what it does best. Being a down’n’dirty arts space with ridiculous shows that wouldn’t happen elsewhere and providing space and time for people to develop ideas without an expected output.

We’ll be kicking off with studioholder’s exhibition “MARCH FORTH!” opening 04/03/23 where we’ll be announcing our 23 programme.

Over the course of the year we’ll be also be hosting 4 two-week residencies, and for the first time we’re accepting applications!
We offer:
Use of the Failbetter Project Space for two weeks
Two full days of mentoring/support
£50 towards expenses (we wish it was more, but we have zero public funding)

We expect:
That you use the time and space in a way that is beneficial to your practice

and that’s it… no defined outcome, no expectation of an exhibition, just to use it in a way that’s beneficial to you. This could be to make or show work, to get photos, develop a website, or have a space to run around going “BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ” for 14 days solid.

To apply send an email with a brief (50-200 words) idea of what you would like to do with links to where we can see your work/find out more about you or attach a few images/brief artist’s statement to brum.failbetter@gmail.com – feel free to ask any questions in the comments.

A full call out will follow in the next few days

Image Credits: Ed Wakefield, Fiona Shaw, Sophie Bancroft, Anita Zychniewicz, Vicky Roden

We’re all very aware of the current global situation – in the UK we’re three weeks into a six week lockdown, and everything is exceedingly unsure.

As Failbetter is primarily an artists’ studio space funded entirely by the artist studio holders and any donations that come in, I’ve been holding off on making any kind of statement until I had more of an idea of what the future held. I’ve realised that, by that logic, I may never actually address this particular elephant in the middle of the room.

The use of the space is down to the individual artist studio holders – if they are able to safely get to and use their studios then it is their personal choice. However I am recommending that they work from home wherever possible.

My current concerns are keeping the space operating for the studioholders to be able to return to. As such this has led to the postponement of the residency programme for this year and I’m considering other means of supporting artists. All public facing events have also been cancelled for the foreseeable future.

Stay safe everybody, and hopefully we’ll be back doing gloriously random activities and providing a safe space to experiment very soon.

Vix

We’re delighted to be taking part in the inaugural Birmingham Open Studios, happening over the weekend of 3rd/4th August and including studios across the city, giving everyone the chance for a nosey at the workplaces of some of the cities finest artists.

On Saturday 4th we’ll be open 12-5 for you to pop along and have a chat with the artists working in Failbetter.

The following day Directors Vicky Roden and Alex Billingham will be at The Indian Brewery, Snowhill from 2-5. Join us to talk future programming, planned events and potential ideas and collaborations!

See you soon!

WE’RE HERE!

Following our rebuild it’s time for our launch event! Join us Saturday 10th February from 7pm-9pm for an exhibition of work by current studioholders and our management team, curated by Alex Billingham.

The exhibition then continues until 18th February by appointment. Drop us a line if you fancy popping down!