News Story
Building on the success of Pauline Farrar’s Celebrity Robot Trail, MAC is thrilled to present another opportunity for artists from all disciplines to create their own ArtBox for display throughout MAC as part of a free, fun, family trail during the summer holidays.
You are invited to be as experimental as you like, using a range of materials, static objects, sound, touch, smell or moving images as part of your display.
We encourage you to create unique one-off artworks, or you may be inspired by MAC’s Sari Season, which leads with the Design Museum’s exhibition The Offbeat Sari. You could also be influenced by the park location.
When it comes to ArtBox designs - nothing is too bonkers! We want the ArtBoxes to be joyful, playful and imagination-igniting for children aged 3 - 12 and their families.
This exhibition is supported by a gift from the Late Helen Mary Reynolds. With thanks to Arts Council England and players of People's Postcode Lottery.
Submit your proposal
Where do I start?
MAC will provide a bespoke, handmade box for your creation. Boxes will be a standard size measuring 450mm (h) x 450mm (w) x 450mm (d) and constructed from 12mm plywood.
Artists are invited to transform the interior and exterior of their box but must retain the standardised structure for display purposes.
A fee of £300 per box is available for this work. This fee must cover all production expenses.
What has inspired MAC’s ArtBoxes?
MAC’s Amazing ArtBoxes are inspired by ‘Wunderkammer’ (Room of Wonder or Cabinets of Curiosity). This German term refers to curated collections of rare and exotic objects popular among aristocracy in the 16th - 18th centuries.
Often featuring natural history specimens, historical artefacts, miniatures and artworks, these ‘Rooms of Wonder’ were designed to entertain, amuse and show off their owners’ cultural knowledge. These ‘Rooms of Wonder’ were a place for imagination, a way of making sense of the world, and a key influence on the concept of modern-day museum collections.
Who can take part?
This opportunity is open to professional and non-professional artists alike, and is for anyone aged 18+ who live in the West Midlands. We welcome applications from early career to established artists, including people who are self-taught. We welcome applications that reflect the diversity of the West Midlands population.
How do I submit a proposal?
Deadline for submissions: Tue 22 April 2025.
- Send an email to [email protected], and a short paragraph (100 words max) about the idea for your submission. Please contact us by email if you have access needs or would like to respond by video or audio.
- Attach a sketch of your idea and/or one image of previous work.
- Artists can submit up to 3 ideas per person.
- Artists will be responsible for the cost associated with producing their submission, if selected, and delivery to MAC. We will provide the MDF box, outlined above.
- Presentation of your box will be discussed including any technical support such as providing power.
- The £300 fee will be payable to the artist on delivery of the work to MAC in late June 2025.
- Boxes will be displayed from Sat 5 July – Sun 21 September 2025 after which they will be returned to the artist
A panel formed of MAC staff and local families will review and select proposals.
Selection will take place in April 2025, if you have not heard from MAC by Monday 28th April 2025 your application has been unsuccessful.
