Never Say Die exhibition – Los Angeles 2018

 

Home of Metal – Project Coordinator (Freelance Role)
90 days between February – October 2019 based on 2-3 days per week with possible extension
Fee: £110 per day
Employer: Capsule
Location of post: Custard Factory Birmingham
Closing date: 5pm Friday 25 January 2019
Interview date: Friday 1 February 2019

 

Role:
Capsule are looking for a highly organised, motivated, freelance coordinator to deliver our highly ambitious Home of Metal programme of work in Birmingham during 2019. Essential experience will include arts and cultural events, heritage, marketing and project management, audience development and community engagement.

The successful candidate must be able to multitask, coordinate and manage a variety of projects throughout the programme. They should have strong knowledge and experience of administrative systems, delivering complex programmes and an excellent working knowledge of online marketing tools and digital media in order to cover the breadth of activity which will include the co-ordinating of recruitment and training of volunteers alongside delivering new contemporary art commissions with major institutions.

Background and context:
“Heavy Metal was born in the West Midlands and has developed a global following matched only by hip-hop. It’s time to stop sneering and celebrate this proud cultural heritage.” New Statesman

 

Home of Metal is a Capsule project and a celebration of the music that was born in Birmingham. Music that turned up the volume, down-tuned the guitars, and introduced a whole new meaning to the word ‘heavy’. Home of Metal’s exhibitions and events join the dots between music, social history, visual art and fan cultures to produce a new perspective on Heavy Metal; one that is celebratory, eschews notions of high/low art and joins audiences and performers together.

Home of Metal will deliver a programme of activity during summer 2019 including a major exhibition at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery and exhibitions at The New Art Gallery Walsall, MAC, Centrala and Eastside Projects. Home of Metal is supported by Arts Council England, Heritage Lottery Fund, Birmingham City University and a range of project partners and supporters.

For further information about the role please download Home of Metal Co-ordinator Job Description + Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form
For more information about the project see www.homeofmetal.com

Application:

If you are interested in applying for this opportunity please email your cv, a letter of application outlining your interest and how you feel you would fulfil this role (no more than 2 sides of A4)  + the Equal opportunities form to [email protected]
Closing date: 5pm Friday 25 January 2019
Interview date: Friday 1 February 2019

Dennis Mcnett procession – photo by Snack Rock and Pop Photography

Supersonic Festival 2018 took place on the 22-24 June across Digbeth, Birmingham. With rave reviews in both the press and from audiences alike.

The Arts Desk – 5 star review- https://www.theartsdesk.com/node/81602/view

“Supersonic Festival 2018 – Birmingham waves the flag for New Weird Britain Another vintage year for Digbeth’s annual showcase of the sonically strange…as audience members from around the UK, America, Japan and other far-flung parts of the globe got together to celebrate the weird and the wonderful.”

 

The Guardian – 4 star review- https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/jun/25/supersonic-festival-review-birmingham-shirley-collins

“Supersonic is a festival of cross-genre pollination, but also one that questions what genre is.”

 

The Skinny Magazine – 5 star review- http://www.theskinny.co.uk/music/live-music/reviews/supersonic-2018-the-review

“Supersonic, you knocked it out the park once again. It’s so important to have this annual citybreak of adventurous sounds from yesterday and tomorrow. And we already can’t wait to return in 2019.’

 

Clash Magazine- https://www.clashmusic.com/live/live-report-supersonic-festival-2018

“there’s an undeniable sense that Supersonic is incomparable to any other UK music festival.”

 

The Quietus- http://thequietus.com/articles/24904-supersonic-2018-live-report-gazelle-twin-shirley-collins-modern-ritual-moor-mother

“Supersonic are not so much who I’m writing this piece for as a reason I’m writing it. That is to say: the festival’s approach to choosing lineups is a prototype of how I prefer to envisage music’s underground. A space of interactivity rather than cramped, glowering sects, where sufficient imagination can cook up a conceptual link between any two given acts. In 2018, music fans are way less rigid in their tastes than they used to be. The reasons for this are complex, although not so complex that I can’t say ‘mainly because of the internet’, but on a micro level, many identifiable entities have helped to get listeners to swerve across multiple lanes. Supersonic is, I feel, one of them.”

 

Flush The Fashion- http://www.flushthefashion.com/music/supersonic-festival-22-24-june-2018-birmingham/

“Since its inaugural event in 2003, Supersonic has grown to be one of Europe’s standout alternative festivals. Centred around The Custard Factory and the industrial warehouses of Digbeth in Birmingham, Supersonic has constantly evolved to fulfil its mission statement of providing experimental music for curious audiences….That’s why there is no festival like Supersonic and that’s why it has built a loyal following over the last 15 years – long may it continue.”

 

Fighting Boredom- http://www.fighting-boredom.co.uk/live-review/supersonic-festival-2018-friday-live-review/

“Fighting Boredom’s favourite festival is here again. Set in the Custard Factory in Birmingham, Supersonic festival is where we come to hear old favourites, discover new inspiration and immerse ourselves in the best place ‘for curious audiences’.”

 

Pop Matters- https://www.popmatters.com/supersonic-festival-2018-2586958730.html

“In 2018, Supersonic returned with an impressive line-up, one of the strongest in its history. From extravagant producer Yves Tumor, score master Mark Korven, instrument aficionados Mario Batkovic and Andrea Belfi, to legendary folk singer Shirley Collins, psychedelic gurus Dwarfs of East Agouza, punk legends the Ex, and black metal masters Wolves in the Throne Room, Supersonic extended its grasp.”

 

Echoes and Dust- https://www.echoesanddust.com/2018/07/supersonic-festival/

“Supersonic is an absolute champion among festivals, a unique and precious thing, a banquet for the musically curious.”

 

What’s on Brum- 5 star review – https://whatson.guide/2018/06/28/supersonic-festival-review/

“Supersonic promotes the most challenging and experimental music. Whether it’s brutalising electronica, hard EDM, noise, doom psyche or bombastic black metal, it’s here. If there’s anything more extreme, no doubt it would eventually end up at Supersonic. This is a festival not afraid to take chances.”

Supersonic Festival produced a UK tour for the Outlands consortium for new music. Bringing together three improvisational luminaries; multi-instrumentalist YoshimiO (Boredoms, OOIOO, SAICOBAB), avant-garde percussionist Susie Ibarra, and artist Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe (Lichens) to perform together as Yunohana Variations for the first time in the UK.

YoshimiO is a drummer and member of the revolutionary group Boredoms. She is the leader of the experimental band OOIOO, a member of Free Kitten with Kim Gordon (ex. Sonic Youth), and most recently the vocalist in SAICOBAB.

Susie Ibarra, is one of the most significant percussionists and composers of our time, known for her work as a performer within contemporary, avant-garde, jazz, classical, and world music, and performs in the band Dreamtime Ensemble. Ibarra studied with jazz luminaries Earl Buster Smith (of Sun Ra Arkestra), Vernel Fournier and Milford Graves, and Philippine Kulintang gong-chime music with Danongan Kalanduyan. She has performed with the likes of: John Zorn, Dave Douglas, Yo La Tengo, Ikue Mori and recent works include a sound installation for Ai Weiwei.

Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe is a multidisciplinary artist whose practice is strongly rooted in exploration of moments and the hypnagogic state. Movement and gesture play key factors within this process, and in the performance realm are focused on by voice and modular synthesizer. A fixture of Chicago’s experimental community throughout the 90s and early 2000s, Robert has also performed under the name Lichens, is a member of the legendary band Om, and has an impressive portfolio of collaborations, which extends to the film world with his score for pseudo-documentary A Spell To Ward Off The Darkness, directed by Ben Russell and Ben Rivers (which Robert also appears in).

Fri – Sun 22- 24 June Supersonic Festival Birmingham
Tues 26 June London, Oslo Hackney,
Wed 27 June Bexhill, De la Warr Pavilion
Thu 28 June  Cambridge, Cambridge Junction
Fri 29 June Milton Keynes, MK Gallery
Sat 30 June Bristol, Arnolfini, promoted by Qu Junktions  
Sun 1 July Manchester, Soup Kitchen, promoted by Fat Out
Mon 2 July Bradford, Fuse Art Space
Weds 4 July Plymouth, KARST

 

Capsule is looking to recruit two new roles to support the organisation and next year’s Supersonic Festival.

---

RECRUITING: GENERAL MANAGER (FREELANCE POSITION) MATERNITY COVER

Capsule is looking to recruit a part time, freelance General Manager to ensure the smooth running of the organisation including Capsule’s office, provide senior support to the staff team, ensure the company’s financial management and reporting and effective governance including the preparation of all papers for Capsule’s quarterly board meetings.

• Role: General Manager (Freelance Position)
• Deadline for application: 5pm, Monday 31 August 2020
• Interview date: Tuesday 15 September 2020
• Duration: Feb 2021 – August 2021 with possible extension / longer-term job share Sept 2021 – March 2022.
  This contract includes 10 days (October 2020 – January 2021) for handover / planning.
• Start date: Nov 2020 date to be negotiated
• Fee: £120 per day

This part time, freelance role is a 6-month position (with possible extension), designed to provide Maternity Leave cover for the partial responsibilities of Capsule’s current Executive Producer.

This role will ensure the smooth running of the organisation including Capsule’s office, provide senior support to the staff team, ensure the company’s financial management and reporting and effective governance including the preparation of all papers for Capsule’s quarterly board meetings. This is a new role and it is anticipated that the successful candidate will play a crucial part in shaping some aspects of this new role. 

We are committed to diversity and inclusion, and are keen to attract people of different backgrounds, perspectives and experiences. We particularly encourage applications from BAME and LGBTQ+ candidates, people with a disability.

We are a small but ambitious organisation. This role would be ideal for an experienced freelance art professional.

Application process

To apply for this opportunity please email a completed equal opportunities form, CV, and a letter of application outlining how you feel you would fulfil this role to (maximum of 2 sides of A4) to [email protected] with ‘General Manager’ in the subject line.

We will notify candidates that we wish to interview by 5pm Tuesday 8 September. If you have not heard from us by then please assume your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion. Due to the high volume of applications we cannot provide feedback on unsuccessful applications.

---

RECRUITING: FESTIVAL MANAGER (FREELANCE POSITION) MATERNITY COVER

Capsule is looking to recruit a part time, freelance Festival Manager to ensure the smooth running of Supersonic Festival 2021

• Role: Festival Manager (Freelance Position)
• Deadline for application: 5pm, Monday 31 August 2020
• Interview date: Thursday 17 September 2020
• Duration: November 2020 – August 2021
• Start date: November 2020 to be negotiated
• Fee: £7,800 (£120pd / 65 days) + 5 ‘flexi’ days, to be used as / when required. 

This part time, freelance role is designed to provide Maternity Leave cover for the partial responsibilities of Capsule’s current Executive Producer. This role will ensure the smooth running of Supersonic Festival 2021 and will involve close working with the General Manager, Festival Producer and Programme Assistant, as well as work with the wider festival team. You will also work to support aspects of the year-round, live programme. This is a new role and it is anticipated that the successful candidate will play a crucial part in defining and shaping the role.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion, and are keen to attract people of different backgrounds, perspectives and experiences. We particularly encourage applications from BAME and LGBTQ+ candidates, people with a disability.

We are a small but ambitious organisation. This role would be ideal for an experienced freelance art professional.

Application process

To apply for this opportunity please email a completed equal opportunities form, CV, and a letter of application outlining how you feel you would fulfil this role to (maximum of 2 sides of A4) to [email protected] with ‘Festival Manager’ in the subject line.

The deadline for applications is 5pm, Monday 31 August 2020. We will notify candidates that we wish to interview by 5pm Thursday 10 September. If you have not heard from us by then please assume your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion. Due to the high volume of applications we cannot provide feedback on unsuccessful applications.

Photo by Paula Court

Come and join the Capsule Team, we are recruiting for a new post which has been made possible with funding from the Weston Jerwood Creative Bursaries Programme.

PLACEMENT DESCRIPTION: Audience Development Assistant
SALARY: 4 days per week, £17,095 pro rata
CONTRACT: 12 months Fixed Term Contract

This post is offered as part of the Weston Jerwood Creative Bursaries Programme, aimed specifically at recent graduates from low-income backgrounds looking to start a career in the arts.

IN ORDER TO BE ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS MUST:

• Have graduated from a degree (BA or equivalent) within the past two years (i.e. in 2015, 2016 or 2017. No minimum grade required
• Have received a full maintenance grant during the full period of their course and be able to verify it with the necessary paperwork
• Be a full-time UK resident.

Please ensure that you meet ALL these criteria before applying for this position.

PLACEMENT OUTLINE
Working as part of our core team the Audience Development Assistant will help to create a buzz and excitement around our key projects Supersonic Festival, Home of Metal and our year round programme. Ensuring Capsule has good visibility both virtually and also physically across the city and the UK. You will play a crucial part in engaging with and developing new audiences for our work.

APPLICATION PACK
● Placement Description
● Application Form
● Equal Opportunities Form

The deadline for applications is: 5PM FRIDAY 15 DEC 2017
Please send a covering letter describing why you are interested in the placement (no more than 1 side A4) + Application Form + Equal Opportunities Form to info[at]capsule.org.uk with ‘Audience Dev Assistant’ in the title

The Oxbow Choir – Supersonic Festival 2017 – photo by Joseph Singh

Executive Producer
Senior management, full time
Birmingham, £26-30k dependent on experience
Deadline for application: 2nd October Interviews: 12 October 2017

Working with the Artistic Director, the Executive Producer is a key role for someone who wants to make their mark by translating the Capsule vision into action, helping to shape our long-term goals, maintain the financial and organisational stability of our work, ensuring the smooth running of our projects

This opportunity comes at an exciting time in the organisation’s growth, when Capsule join Arts Council England’s National Portfolio 18-22 and will include supporting the delivery of the UK’s premier experimental music festival Supersonic and develop a new phase for our groundbreaking heritage project Home of Metal..

For further info and for an application pack please email [email protected] with ‘Exec Producer’ in the title.

The Seer – Supersonic Festival 2017 photo by Eduardo Pinto

OUTLANDS is an innovative new national experimental music network bringing together a mix of visual arts and music organisations, independent venues and creative producers all located outside London.  At a point where the experimental music scene is seen as risky for promoters, venues and audiences, this Arts Council Strategic Touring Award will support the network to inject quality, diversity and accessibility into new, engaging and ambitious music productions throughout the UK over a touring period of two years from 2018.

OUTLANDS will commission and tour three productions a year alongside a participation programme adapted specifically to audiences local to each venue. Born of out of a desire to pool resources to ensure the survival of ambitious, diverse, high-quality music, the aim is to offer new experiences to audiences outside the capital, to work within a strong national network and to boost the viability of ambitious, cross-disciplinary artforms across the whole country. Whether you’re a novice who wants to learn a new skill or an expert vocalist looking for a fresh challenge, visit jazz singing lessons online.

The OUTLANDS network is :
De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill on Sea                dlwp.com
Qu Junktions/Al Cameron, Bristol                  qujunktions.com
Capsule/Supersonic Festival, Birmingham   supersonicfestival.com
Fat Out, Salford                                                    fatout.co.uk
Fuse Art Space, Bradford                                   wearefuse.co
MK Gallery, Milton Keynes                               mkgallery.org
Cambridge Junction, Cambridge                     junction.co.uk
Peninsula Arts/KARST, Plymouth      plymouth.ac.uk/your-university/peninsula-arts  karst.org.uk

Hedley Swain, Area Director, South East, Arts Council England, said “It is really important that more people, in more places around England have the opportunity to experience great art and culture. OUTLANDS is a great project that will do just that for experimental music whilst also establishing a stronger touring infrastructure for the genre outside of London, and so we’re delighted to be able to support the De La Warr Pavilion and its partners through our National Lottery funded Strategic Touring Programme.”

Stewart Drew, Director and CEO, De La Warr Pavilion (lead organisation) said “We are delighted that Arts Council England have supported OUTLANDS, a pioneering network of national partners that will support the commissioning of experimental music, whilst engaging and growing audiences for this innovative work. Over the last decade, we have changed our auditorium programme from loss-making traditional seaside entertainment into a thriving contemporary offer with a strong music programme. OUTLANDS allows us to take this a stage further by taking the lead in creating new partnerships that will allow us to take more artistic risks and to reflect the diversity of the communities at home across the UK.”

Lisa Meyer, Artistic Director of Capsule says “Capsule are delighted to be part of the Outlands consortium, to have the opportunity to work alongside some of the most innovative creative producers and venues in the country. The funding from Arts Council England will allow us to develop extraordinary new work, to take creative risks which will both help to support artists and develop new audiences.”