With the end of the course in sight, it was encouraging to discover details of what the final show would entail. As with most live events during Covid-19 it would be held online. I was relieved to discover it wouldn’t just be the cohorts’ work on a website or an emailed PDF, but a whole range of strategies that would make the most of the university’s facilities and available resources.
The following is an overview of what to expect and as a guide to me planning my work accordingly.
Summer Show Overview
The launch date for the MA online show as part of Summer Shows is Friday 16 July 2021.
One online platform will be used for all shows including courses in Schools of Art, Media and Architecture.
All Summer Shows will use an improved platform similar to the School of Architecture site https://architecture-design.brighton.ac.uk/
The site is externally supported and will look different to last year – once a mock-up is ready a URL will be shared.
This year, students will have workshop access. Therefore, any work with an installation, sculptural and/or projection element can be built/installed and recorded in University workshop areas. Digital images can be uploaded as installs where appropriate.
Grand Parade exhibition space and Edward Street ground floor will showcase show reels of our work on large screens in the windows for public visibility. Windows not showing a screen with show reels will be covered in vinyl to promote the show.
Each course can make a show reel of student work of up to ten minutes to display in windows and to direct viewers to the website.
Show reels can include work in progress (not just finished work).
Our course can provide video footage and the School Tech Hub will edit.
I will have to contact Fergus Heron if I am interested in producing show reel material (15-20 minutes footage maximum).
Submitting Work
Deadline for submission of digital content is midnight on Sunday 4 July 2021.
Work as shown online will not be assessed as part of AGM64 Photography Research Project: Stage 2. As such, work from AGM62 Photography Research Stage 1 and/or AGM64 Photography Research Project Stage 2 can be shown online as preferred.
The university’s School Tech team will support submission technically.
Details of how to construct the submission are contained in this document.
All students will have five pieces/items of work to showcase in total and as much text as desired.
All work to be uploaded via Sharepoint folders.
A difference this year is the option to use a 3D viewer (very simple and not interactive) and a PDF viewer for flip-books (more information will be sent out regarding this in due course).
Screenshots of what the website will look like will be distributed for information once the developers are finished setting up the website.
Each course will have a main course page.
Marketing
Events team will work similarly to last year to keep and capture audiences for the duration of the show.
Marketing colleagues are putting together PR plans for external and internal focus – making use of the University’s contact database – promoting to different audiences.
Photography and Art Industry people will be invited directly.
Summer Shows (all three shows combined) are being considered as a joint, wider marketing communications plan instead of as three separate shows.
Save the date email will go out week commencing 10 May 2021 with a reminder one week before the show.
University of Brighton Arts social media channels will be used for promotion as they have a large following.
Emails will go out to Alumni network and Widening Participations, as well as any potential students (applicant offer holders, people who have inquired about the course, etc.)
The three shows together will be called the Summer Shows to emphasise the joint approach of this year – this means the promotion of all shows, including the MA shows, will take place before the undergraduate and Architecture shows begin and throughout the season.
Events
A programme of online events will be built that run alongside the shows. This was done in 2020 – approaches that work well including student artist talks, in conversations and external speakers. As each event is being approached as part of a wider Summer Shows programme of events, these can run throughout the three shows.
Events will enhance the display of my work and those of my classmates. They will be student-led and can work well on Teams live and social media lives such as Instagram Live.
There will be an online events page on the show website where the event programme is visible – showing date, platform, organisers etc.
Southcoast Conferences (SCC) support the events technically as well as supporting our event ideas.
SCC Laura Williams is putting together an events sub-group with course leaders and students interested in planning online events.
Get in touch with Laura (L.Williams4@brighton.ac.uk) and Cc: Fergus Heron if I would like to be a part of the events sub-group and help plan and facilitate some of these live events.
Laura is happy to meet with course reps to give more information and suggestions for live events.
Planned Physical Display of Work
Separate arrangements for a physical display of work to support AGM64 Photography Research Project: Stage 2 are being planned for the duration of the month of September 2021.
Edward Street 304, 305, Ground Floor and First Floor display areas have been requested and are pending confirmation.
Announcements will follow in due course with required adjustments to the AGM64 Photography Research Project: Stage 2 module schedule as soon as advice on availability of space is forthcoming.
The above is certainly good news and a much better outcome than I thought would happen during these uncertain times.
Jennie Meadows MA Photography 