Random Acts began in 2011 with
the aim of showing television made by artists, rather than programmes about
them. Since then it has broadcast over 500 short films covering art, dance,
animation, music and opera, including work by Ai Weiwei, Tinie Tempah, Kate
Tempest, Jake and Dinos Chapman and Marina Abramovic (all still available on
the Random Acts
website).
It has become a home for
experimentation and innovation, bringing the cutting edge of contemporary
culture to mainstream TV audiences. We have been a partner in and
co-funder of the project from the beginning, but this next phase of the
relationship sees a significant increase in our contribution, and boosts the
strand’s role as a place where the next generation of talent can find
their voice.
As part of the new plans for the
expanded Random Acts programme, Arts Council England will invest £3
million in finding and developing 16 to 24-year-old creative talent,
establishing a series of regional networks across the country. Each network
will see arts organisations, artists, educational bodies and production
companies collaborate on significant training and development for young artists
and arts film-makers. The resulting short films from these networks will be
played on the Random Acts strand on television and online, – as part of
Channel 4’s new short form content brand 4Shorts on
4oD – alongside artist films from more established talent
commissioned directly by Channel 4.
The strand will also include a
new Random Acts TV series, which will act as a showcase for the world of
digital short-form creativity on mainstream television. The short films
selection will additionally be showcased on 4oD’s new 4Shorts hub which
will enable on-demand viewers to interact with and share the
content.
Sir Peter Bazalgette,
Chair Arts Council England said:
‘Channel 4 has a knack for giving a voice to younger audiences, so we
see Random Acts as key to our ambition to inspire new, diverse and dynamic
young talent. We want this partnership to enable the next generation of artists
and filmmakers to showcase their work to the widest possible
audiences.’
Links and further
information
Explore the Random Acts
website
Like the Random Acts Facebook
page
Follow Random Acts and Arts Council England on
Twitter