Organizer Information
The Eccles Institute for the Americas and Oceania, based within the British Library, fosters new methods for collection-based research and public engagement. This fellowship aims to activate the Library's extensive Americas collections by bringing together creative practitioners and curators to explore vital planetary narratives.
Title & Description
Remote Ecologies: Art, Climate and the Amazon.
This fellowship challenges the traditional artistic "witnessing" of remote places through carbon-heavy travel. Instead, it invites a UK-based artist to work entirely from the British Library’s vast digital and physical archives—including maps, travelogues, sound recordings, and botanical records—to reflect on the Amazon region and the climate emergency. The goal is to develop a "carbon zero" research-led practice that explores the library as a site of global encounter.
Fellowship Structure:
- Phase 1 (Sept – Dec 2026): Induction and research period (approx. 30 days of active research and meetings).
- Phase 2 (Jan – July 2027): Creation of a new body of work and development of a public engagement programme.
Categories
Visual Arts, Performance, Sound Art, Moving Image.
Eligibility
- Location: Must be based in the United Kingdom (any region).
- Experience: Evidence of sustained artistic work over several years with a public track record.
- Status: Must be over 18 and not currently a student.
- Interests: Demonstrable interest in collection-based research and climate issues.
Program Benefits and Awards
- Stipend: £7,500 (all-inclusive fee for research, engagement, and living/travel costs).
- Production Budget: Up to £3,000 for consumables and public programming.
- Mentorship: Specialized support from Peruvian writer Joseph Zárate, an expert on Amazonian indigenous roots and history.
- Curatorial Support: Direct access to Eccles Institute curators and British Library research resources.
Fees
- Application Fee: None.
Application Requirements
- Completion of the online application form.
- Portfolio and CV.
- Project description and a motivation letter outlining the interest in collections and the Amazon.
How to Apply?
Submit your application via the official British Library portal. Apply to Remote Ecologies Fellowship.
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: June 2, 2026, at 10:00 AM.
- Interviews: July 7 and 8, 2026.
- Fellowship Period: September 2026 – July 2027.
Location
United Kingdom, London (96 Euston Road).
Additional Details
The fellow is expected to produce at least three blog posts documenting their process and deliver public talks. Note that the British Library provides the research material but cannot offer long-term studio space or technical production facilities.