As the 2015 General Election approaches, we want to encourage people to vote by placing artworks inspired by democracy on commercial billboard sites and postcards distributed across the UK. Artists Bob & Roberta Smith, Jeremy Deller, Janette Parris and Fatima Begum have each created works incorporating the word 'vote' (see below); a fifth artist, chosen via our national competition, will also contribute.
We want to exhibit these five works on 100 billboard sites near art venues across the country (including BALTIC, Gateshead, and Turner Contemporary, Margate); on 10,000 postcards that will be distributed to arts venues, and via our website and social networks. There will also be an exhibition of the artworks at the Peckham Platform, London, from 2 April to 7 May 2015.
Donate today and support the democratic process! Plus you'll get a great reward in return, from postcards and notebooks to huge billboard posters and limited-edition artworks.
Jeremy Deller says, 'During the election, political parties are going to put up posters asking you to vote for them. We are putting up posters, just asking you to vote. It’s a once-in-every-five years opportunity to engage in society, and I think we should take it by the horns. Youth of Britain – rise up and vote!'
Competition
We're looking for a young artist aged 18 to 23 to create a new piece of work for the campaign. The winning image will be exhibited on two billboard sites and 2,000 postcards, and the artist will receive £500. The competition will be judged by our Vote Art artists and the deadline is Monday 16 March at 6pm. Find out more.
Mary, GLASGOW
15 March 2015 - 13:02
Glad to hear that, Matthew. In Scotland the turnout in the referendum vote was superb and we hope to keep the electorate equally engaged for this election. I'll make a donation now as I think this is an important issue for everyone and I think it's a great idea to make the link with art. All the best with the fund-raising! Mary
Jessica
10 March 2015 - 08:45
It's such an important thing to vote. I recently saw Selma and it's still relevant to be reminded that something that we take for granted isn't always being allowed by one group or another. When people have fought so hard over the years to be able to have a voice, let's not squander ours by not voting. This is an important message. Every vote counts. Get out there and VOTE!
Matthew
9 March 2015 - 22:48
Hello Mary,
Many thanks for getting in touch.
We have received funding from Arts Council England for the first tranche of the programme, which has allowed us to put up artwork around England, however....
Our plan has always been to put up posters around the whole of the UK, which is why we're working with Art Fund to raise an additional funds to put up posters around the whole of the UK. In fact we have already been in contact with galleries in Inverness, Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Glasgow in the hope that we might be able to put up work in each city, so that when we hopefully raise the additional money we will have sites to place artwork.
What we really need is people to spread the word.
I hope this answers your question and hope you'll have a chance to see one of the artworks on a billboard site near you!
All the best,
Matthew
Mary, GLASGOW
5 March 2015 - 16:44
Shame it's just England. It is a UK election after all.