We are delighted to announce our new call for artists who are keen to engage with the histories of slavery and slave-ownership that are ‘hidden in plain sight’ within in the museum, as part of the V&A Research Institute (VARI) Opening the Cabinet of Curiosities project.

The selected artist will be encouraged to engage with both the V&A’s collections and the information we are unearthing about them to make visible these histories not currently reflected in the museum.

The residency will be based at the V&A South Kensington and will take place over a three-month period from February to the end of April 2018. There are limitations to the display or the direct handling of objects within the V&A’s collections.

We are therefore seeking an artist who will utilise alternative ways, such as performance, sound, film, projection mapping or a digital intervention, of making their presence known.  Artists will also have a follow on opportunity to showcase the work of the residency with an installation/performance/event at the V&A in September 2018 during the London Design Festival.

We are interested in receiving applications from practitioners who wish to work with the Museum’s resources and collections and would welcome the opportunity to actively work on projects with the public.  Applicants must have a working knowledge of spoken and written English. We particularly welcome proposals from artists from culturally diverse and underrepresented backgrounds.

Interview date: 26th January 2018 between 10 am and 5 pm London time