Liverpool Biennial is excited to announce its collaboration with The Double Negative for Liverpool Biennial 2023: ‘uMoya: The Sacred Return of Lost Things’.

For the festival’s 12th edition, Liverpool Biennial has collaborated with arts criticism and cultural commentary publication The Double Negative to offer an opportunity for one Merseyside-based writer to develop a piece of critical writing in response to this year’s programme.

Under-represented early-career writers based in the Merseyside region are encouraged to apply. Successful applicants will receive £500 to cover their writing time and visit to the Biennial and will also receive mentorship from The Double Negative’s editors throughout the process, including support and feedback on the text, as well as the option of an additional advisory session.

Liverpool Biennial 2023 addresses the history and temperament of the city of Liverpool and is a call for ancestral and indigenous forms of knowledge, wisdom and healing. In the isiZulu language, ‘uMoya’ means spirit, breath, air, climate and wind.  ‘uMoya: The Sacred Return of Lost Things’ is curated by Khanyisile Mbongwa and presents the work of 35 leading and emerging artists and collectives from 6 continents, including 15 new commissions.

The Double Negative is Liverpool-based magazine offering contemporary, independent arts and culture criticism since 2011 and platforming writers and artists from the North of England. The publication aims to hold a mirror to the UK contemporary art scene- in particular the North West and North of England- and reflect it, uncovering and analysing talent based in the region. The Double Negative are invested in encouraging and developing the next generation of art critics, offering a platform for fearless, well-researched and balanced criticism, which represents a wide range of voices and stories.

How to apply: 

  • Provide a short overview explaining what interests you about Liverpool Biennial 2023 (up to 150 words) 
  • Why is the opportunity crucial to your development at this time? (up to 150 words) 
  • Include an example of your writing / additional Links / Website / CV

Applications should be submitted via email to mike@thedoublenegative.co.uk  by no later than 12pm on Monday 10 July. 

Applications should be submitted in either Word Doc / PDF format as an email attachment or WeTransfer. Emails should include the subject line ‘THE DOUBLE NEGATIVE X LIVERPOOL BIENNIAL OPEN CALL’. 

Who can apply? 

We welcome applications from writers that meet the following criteria:  

  • Living and working in Liverpool or wider Merseyside 
  • Consider themselves emerging in their writing career (g. writing for between 1-3 years outside of any formal education)  
  • There is no age limit, any age is welcome to apply  
  • No formal education or qualifications are necessary  
  • Are able to demonstrate a clear rationale for why they’d benefit from the opportunity  

 What is the selection process?  

 Applications will be reviewed by a selection panel including Liverpool Biennial and The Double Negative. 

All applicants will be notified of the outcome by Friday 14th July.