Junction Arts is seeking a lead artist or collective for our award-winning STEAM project ‘This Girl Codes’ for its upcoming programme spanning 2023-2025. The artist(s) must have experience of developing and delivering exciting STEAM programmes for a family audience. We are particularly interested in recruiting women or non-binary artists for this role which is pivotal in inspiring women of all ages through art, science, heritage, and technology.

This Girl Codes is a multi-disciplinary, co-creational programme to engage and empower women of all ages in Bolsover and North East Derbyshire in science, technology, engineering, arts and maths (STEAM). The project takes a ‘if you can see it, you can be it approach’ aiming to address the gender disparity in STEM study and careers, raising aspirations and making digital arts truly co-creational. This Girl Codes projects are significant and impactful for teaching STEM skills through creativity and curiosity.

The artist(s) will work with Junction Arts and local heritage sites, including Creswell Crags and Pleasley Pit to create new and authentic connections to heritage and place for disadvantaged community groups and young people. Participants will engage with innovative digital technologies and work with artists to discover new and authentic forms of heritage interaction at the convergence of STEAM.

This Girl Codes includes a series of taster sessions, pop-up STEAM labs in historic houses, castles and caves as well as trips and events.

You can find out more about previous This Girl Codes delivery through the website www.thisgirl.codes and more about delivery 2020-2023 which will inform the next phase of the project here:

The artist(s) will support Junction Arts to deliver the following project outputs and outcomes over two years, contract renewed on an annual basis:

• Lead programme delivery of creative education activities including pop-up STEAM labs at heritage sites, taster sessions and summer holiday ‘Curiosity Academy’.
• Work collaboratively with project partners including heritage sites, technologists and guest artists. Actively seek guest artists and speakers to bring in as positive role models
• Engage pupils from schools, both primary and secondary
• Codevelop and create annual showcase events to celebration events to each delivery year
• Hold events and manage trips for participants to various heritage sites further afield
• Take proactive measures to be inclusive, remove barriers to access and reach new and diverse audiences through the delivery of the project
• Assist in marketing, evaluation, and documentation of the project. Give feedback and updates to the project coordinator
• Attend project planning meetings virtually, if and when required
• Be willing to travel across North Derbyshire
• Adhere to Junction Arts’ safeguarding policies and procedures

Programme Delivery: 35 days per year, made up of research and development and delivery days

Delivery to begin in July 2023

Annual fee £8000, total fee 2023-2025 £16,000

Application Process and Deadlines
We welcome applications from artists of all backgrounds and shortlist applications blind, please take this into account when compiling your application as we will remove any personal or identifying information.

The artist(s) should submit a written or video application including a cover letter detailing your interest in the project and a case study of a STEAM project you have delivered, with images. The artist should also submit a CV including two references and confirmation of an up-to-date enhanced DBS and public liability insurance up to £5million. All files should be sent to info@junctionarts.org

Deadline for applications 9am Friday 16^th June

Shortlisting and interview process

• Successful applications shortlisted for interview will be notified by 22^nd June
• Interviews to be held on Tuesday 27^th June at West Studios, Chesterfield
• Written feedback on applications will be available upon request

For more information on the project brief, please contact Jemma Burton at Junction Arts: jemma@junctionarts.org / 01246 209219