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SightSonic aims to present and promote art forms that have digital
technology at the heart of the creative process.

SightSonic, based in York, is an annual international digital arts festival.

The festival was established in 2000 to celebrate the artistic potential of contemporary technology and takes place, over a weekend, in venues throughout the city.

SightSonic presents work of high quality artistic merit that demonstrates innovation and has digital technology at the heart of the creative process. SightSonic is committed to bringing leading artists (both national and international) to York, whilst fostering the development of work by new and emerging artists. The proportion of established to emerging artists represented in the programme changes every year - the core of the festival is work of international significance.

The programme is an inspiring mix of all art forms, created or realised by digital means. SightSonic promotes and showcases divergent artistic events ranging from audio concerts, video and film screenings, gallery installations, open air performances and on-line work.

The Artists Platform

is an event that offers the opportunity for work by new and emerging practitioners in the field of digital arts to be shown and constructively commented on.

The aim of the Platform is to allow developing artists to show their work within a supportive environment with feedback from established artists and practitioners in the field. Enabling participants to develop their skills in the hope that they return a year on as invited artists and in the future the possibility of being a SightSonic commissioned artist. Other benefits include exposure at an exciting festival, meeting other artists, and witnessing other art works in this rapidly developing field.

To be eligible to take part

> Your work is created by and uses digital technology.
> Your work will need to show innovation and artistic merit.
> Your work will need to demonstrate the potential to be developed.

Images from the last Platform in 2006 and further information on past festivals can be viewed at www.sightsonic.org

The Artists Platform

The Platform will take place over the festival weekend (14 – 17 March 08) and will be accompanied by networking events, seminars and free entry to all festival events.

The venue will be York St John University, Lords Mayors Walk.

Event format:

Friday 14 March – arrive in York
Saturday 15 March – set up work and attend seminars and talks by some of the artists featured in the festival programme
Sunday 17 March – Artists Platform open to the public, including ‘Platform Presents’, a tour around the Platform where each artist will be given time to present their work to the audience and take questions
Monday 17 March – industry experts will be invited to view the work and provide feedback and advice to Platform participants

We cannot offer any funding for the development of your work but will offer accommodation over the course of the weekend as well as some money towards travel expenses.

If you would like to show your work at the Platform please send a submission (detailed below) to:

SightSonic - Artists Platform, Kirsty Halliday, 84 Sutherland Street, York, YO23 1HQ

or

platform@sightsonic.org

putting: Artists Platform Application and your name in the subject line.

How to apply

Please send a brief biography and artist’s statement along with a description of the work you wish to submit for inclusion in the Platform. This description should include:

1. what influenced the work
2. what art form your work is in
3. length of piece (If applicable)
4. size of work (If applicable) i.e. dimensions of space required to show work
5. what equipment is needed to display the work
6. what equipment you will provide
7. set up time required

Ensure that your Name / Address / Telephone numbers / Email are clearly included with your
submission.

Please note that while some technical assistance will be available during the installation period, participating artists will be expected to have sufficient technical knowledge to set up their own installation.

Please note that as we expect a high level of interest, it will not be possible to enter into
correspondence if your work is not selected for inclusion in the Platform. If you would like your work
returned to you, please enclose a stamp addressed envelope.

Closing date for submissions Friday 15 February 2008

The selection panel will meet the following week and all artists selected to participate will be informed by Friday 22 February.
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SightSonic is funded by Arts Council England, City of York Council, Science City York and York Tourism Partnership and supported by partners including York St John University and the University of York.