Arts Council England
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The Space aims to re-launch in Spring/Summer 2014

The Space, the experimental digital arts service developed by Arts Council England and the BBC, is applying to the BBC Trust to be re-launched in Spring/Summer 2014 as a dynamic new space for artists and audiences to invent and explore brilliant digital art.

In a planned three year agreement between the Arts Council and the BBC, announced by BBC Director General Tony Hall, and subject to approval by the BBC Trust, The Space will build on the success of the pilot which broke new ground in delivering digital art and experiences to the public.  It will offer a place for audiences to see and interact with great new digital art, live, free and on-demand, and provide an ‘R&D Lab’ for new and established artists to develop innovative and ambitious digital projects.

Popular highlights of work featured by The Space include: Shakespeare’s Globe to Globe Festival (36 Shakespeare plays in 36 languages), Tracey Emin in conversation with Stephen Fry, Royal Opera Live, Faber’s 60 Years in 60 Poems and from the rich national and cultural archives, exclusive access to the first 2,600 albums of John Peel’s A-Z Record Collection and The Beatle’s Magical Mystery Tour on Arena.

Alan Davey, Chief Executive, Arts Council England, said:
‘The launch of The Space pilot in May 2012 heralded the start of an experimental journey with the BBC, artists and arts organisations to explore the creative potential of new digital platforms for the UK and cultural sector. We are looking forward together to building on the lessons learnt from the pilot, and deliver an even more innovative, dynamic and interactive digital Space that will be fun for both audiences and artists alike.’

The Space aims to produce new talent and content which other cultural organisations and BBC platforms will want to pick up and showcase.  Artists and arts organisations will have the opportunity to submit work through a rolling programme of Open Calls, starting in early 2014. Artists will also be supported by associate partners from the cultural, broadcasting and digital world.

Alongside the Open Calls, The Space will co-commission large, ambitious digital projects with cultural organisations, creative industry and arts partners, broadcasters, digital commissioners and commissioners within the BBC.  A whole range of arts organisations, large and small, are ready to work with The Space to create new commissions. 

Those who have, in principle, signed up are:

Artangel

The British Library

Cornerhouse

Fuel

Tate

BBC Writers' Room

The current Space pilot service will come to an end on 31 October and from 1 November, all current content on The Space will be taken down.

Useful links and further information

Follow The Space and Arts Council England on Twitter.

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