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KArtsCon 2024 - Art as Legacy
Art is an ongoing continuum. So is legacy. They nurture one another, sometimes in unexpected ways. But do they also hinder one another, as well? The act of creation is not always a planned process of making something for posterity. However, there are works of art which have gone on to achieve fame or notoriety long after the reasons for their creation have ceased to exist. Prehistoric artists who painted in caves such as Altamira and Lascaux, and on rocks in Western Australia and north-central Niger, could not have dreamt that their work would fill history books and fuel debate many millennia later.  Conversely, some artworks (e.g. “The Starry Night”) have made the names of their artists more famous today than they ever were in their own lifetimes. Vincent van Gogh wanted to make art for posterity, but his legacy wasn’t acknowledged until after his death. There were those too who sought to create legacies for themselves – Egyptian pharaohs built the pyramids and elaborate tombs, while Roman emperors immortalised themselves in coinage. Elite families funded some of the major achievements in painting, sculpture, architecture, literature, science and philosophy in the period known as the Renaissance. Places have become known for the art they generated such as Secessionist architecture in Vienna, Stonehenge in England, Brunelleschi’s dome in Florence, the Sydney Opera House in Australia, and “the house that Picasso built” (MoMA) in New York. Legacy is intended to embed certain achievements as norms into the cultural fabric. There is a strong element of permanence to it. Art, on the other hand, is organic—always growing, evolving, and challenging conventions. And yet, art is a legacy, too. How do we reconcile art and legacy? How does one contribute to the other? How has the evolution of art history impacted our definition of legacy? How might seeking to create a legacy both help and hinder an artist? At KArtsCon2024, we invite you to look at the theme openly. Share your ideas, practices, and experiences on art as legacy, or perhaps, legacy as art.
Target Conference Participants
Artists in all arts disciplines and media; academics, archivists, historians, curators, guides, students, researchers, curriculum planners, policy makers, photographers, and professionals in the fields of media, education, arts, music, humanities, science, and social sciences; Financial professionals working in arts and arts related fields. Individuals whose lives have been deeply affected by the arts.
General Information on Abstract (Proposal) Submissions
Abstracts (proposals) should be no longer than 500 words and must be written in English. Headings and subheadings to make keywords or topics stand out would be appreciated. Contents should include a rationale for the work, basic methodology and findings (if research‐based), a brief discussion of the content, and a recommendation/conclusion (if applicable). Please ensure that the following info is included with each submission: contributor’s full name, title, department/university/organisation (if applicable), email and phone contact details.

Format consistency:

  • Typeface: Please use Arial or Helvetica. Headings (size 16, bold). Subheadings (size 14, bold). Normal text (size 11).
  • The header (size 8) should be the name of the submission centred at the top of the page.
  • The footer (size 8) should comprise the name of the author (Last Name, F.) on the left hand side and the page number on the right‐hand side.
  • Any bibliographical information should use the Harvard or Chicago Manual of Style system of citation.

Deadlines and Expectations:

  • Proposal abstracts are due on 31 May 2024. Please submit all abstracts here.
  • All individuals who have made submissions will be notified of the final decision by email on or before 7 June 2024.
  • Completed submissions (including any attachments or media) must be received by 21 June 2024, unless indicated otherwise in the individual track descriptions. KArtsCon reserves the right to exclude any final submission that is incomplete and/or that does not reflect the content, quality, and tone of the initial proposal.

All selected participants must register for the conference.

Note: Participants who require invitation letters for visa or travel document purposes may request these in writing.  

Calls for Participation

Academic Papers
Academic papers will be read at the conference. The maximum length of time for each reading will be 30-50 minutes. There will be time for a Q&A after each reading. Abstracts (proposals) submitted may include graduate papers and papers proposed for publication—and accompanying slide shows are welcome. Abstracts may utilise quantitative or qualitative approaches or their combination in mixed methods. The following will be accepted: Descriptive studies; review articles; analytical/discussion papers; strategy papers; business plans; scientific papers; phenomenology; ethnography; narrative; and research papers. All submissions should be related to the conference theme. There is a limit of two submissions per author. Individuals selected are expected to attend the conference. An abstract summarizing the subject and theme of your paper must be received by 31 May 2024. A Final Copy of your paper must be received by 21 June 2024.
Art Exhibit Entries
There will be an art exhibit, in all media, at the conference. The art does not need to overtly address the theme; however, exhibiting artists will each deliver a short (5 minutes or less) statement on how art as a vehicle for building bridges influenced the work, at the opening of the exhibit. Artists will be required to submit a written statement (50 words or less), which we will include at the exhibit, along with a brief bio. Artists will be expected to offer their submissions for sale. 20% of all sales will go to Warnborough College, to pay for the exhibition space. We will accept art in any media: painting, sculpture, fibre art, photography, ceramic, jewellery, fabric, assemblage, collage, mixed media, etc. Size specifications will be determined shortly. Please Just let us know what you have in mind. Submit images of finished works, or works-in-progress, in JPEG formats. JPEGS must be 300 dpi and maximum 1024 pixels on the longest side. Include the title and dimensions of the work, and a one-sentence description of the piece. Artists selected to exhibit their artwork will be responsible for its transportation to the venue on July 11 at 8:30am. All art must be exhibit ready. Artists will be responsible for retrieving their entries at the close of the conference. There is a limit of two submissions per artists. Deadline for submission of JPEGs of works in progress and one-sentence description of each work is due 31 May 2024. Images of final submission, bio, and written statement will be due 21 June 2024.
‘Short Short Films’
There will be a festival of ‘short shorts’ from all genres at the conference. The maximum length for each work will be 8 minutes (including all credits). Live action, animation, documentary, dance/performance, fine/art conceptual, and music videos are welcome. Laughing and crying are both cathartic — and relate to our theme —so comedies and dramas are equally encouraged. The work must be original and cannot include previews and advertising films, sequences from feature length films, unaired episodes of established TV series, unsold TV series pilots, and/or any previously copyrighted materials. The shorts do not need to overtly address the theme, however participating artists who attend the conference will each deliver a short (3 minutes or less) statement on how illusion influenced the work or vice versa. Participants who do not attend the conference will need to send a 1-2 minute statement on how art, as a vehicle for building bridges, influenced the work, in a separate file. There is a limit of two submissions per artist. Summary of film(s) must be received by 29 April 2022. Rough cuts of works in progress must be received by 31 May 2024, in .mp4 formats (or formats that can be converted to mp4). Final cuts of accepted works must be submitted in the highest resolution quality formats, along with a finalised artist bio, and the video statement (if the artist will not be attending the conference). Those artists who will attend the conference must submit a brief written statement. All final materials must be received by 21 June 2024.
Visual Presentations
Visual presentations (including demos) will be delivered at the conference. The maximum length of time for each presentation will be 40 minutes, and strict adherence to that timetable will be required. There will be time for a Q&A after each presentation. Participants will not read their presentations. They must talk about their chosen subject matter in a lively fashion—and visuals must accompany the presentations. Abstracts must summarise the subject and nature of the presentation, and indicate how it relates to our conference theme. The following will be accepted: Slide shows (incl. Power Point presentations); demonstrations (using tangible materials and props); object lessons; show and tell presentations; and, other presentation formats. There is a limit of two submissions per presenter. Individuals selected are expected to attend the conference. A proposal abstract of your presentation must be received by 31 May 2024. Final presentations must be received by 21 June 2024. 
Single Session Creative Writing Workshops
There will be 40-minute creative writing workshops open to all skill levels, which in some way address the conference theme. Instructors will offer ‘Being a Writer’ workshops, during which time a short writing or screenwriting exercise will be explored. All workshops must be designed to be “doable” for all skill levels (including novices) and the goal will be for each attendee to complete a writing exercise during the session. There is a limit of two submissions per instructor. An abstract (proposal describing the workshop) and a list of equipment needed must be received by 26 April 2024. A resumé indicating your qualification to lead the workshop, a final proposal must be received by 26 May 2023. A Final Syllabus or teaching outline must be received by 21 June 2024.
Single Session Art Workshops
There will be 40-minute art workshops open to all skill levels, in all media, which in some way address the conference theme. Instructors will offer ‘Be an Artist’ workshops, for which supplies will be readily available. Instructors will be responsible for providing all supplies to attendees. Instructors should ensure that they do not overspend on the cost of supplies. Where there exists surplus funds, instructors may be reimbursed up to US$5 per workshop participant, upon presentation of receipts, but this is not guaranteed. Typically, workshops will be attended by between 10 to 20 attendees, depending on the size of the venue. Instructors must deliver all supplies to the workshop venue on the day of the event. Tools supplied by Instructors will be returned to them at the end of the workshop. However, no highly toxic substances or dangerous tools/materials may be used. All workshops must be designed to be “doable” for all skill levels (including novices) and the goal will be for each attendee to complete a simple project during the session. There is a limit of two submissions per instructor. An abstract (as per the general guidelines) describing the workshop must be received by 26 April 2024. A resume or proof of your qualification to lead the workshop, and a JPEG of a sample project must be received by 31 May 2024. A Final Syllabus along with a complete list of tools and materials that will be provided at the workshop must be received by 21 June 2024.
Single Session Art History Classes
There will be 40-minute art history classes offered at the conference. Topics may include (but are not limited to) specific periods, artists, styles, and/or movements in art, curricula development, methodologies, curatorship, and business and professional development. All topical programs will need to be related, in some way, to the conference theme, and should appeal to both newcomers to art history and professionals. Any curricula development programs should utilize the theme to demonstrate facets of the system or methodology. These classes must be designed to encourage attendees’ participation, so the approach should be interactive. The instructor is welcome and encouraged to use visuals, and may issue hand-outs of 6 pages or less to each attendee, as long as they can be reproduced on a regular copier machine. (No fancy bells or whistles!) There is a limit of two submissions per instructor. An abstract (proposal describing the class) and a list of equipment needed must be received by 26 April 2024. A resumé indicating your qualification to lead the workshop and a final proposal must be received by 31 May 2024. A Final Syllabus or teaching outline must be received by 21 June 2024.
Single Session Classes in Film, Radio and TV Studies
There will be 40-minute classes offered at the conference on topics in radio, film and/or television. Topics may include (but are not limited to) specific periods, artists, styles, and/or movements in these media forms, history, curricula development, methodologies, and business and professional development. All topical programs will need to be related, in some way, to the conference theme, and should appeal to both newcomers to film, radio and TV, as well as professionals. Any curricula development programs should utilize the theme to demonstrate facets of the system or methodology. These classes must be designed to encourage attendees’ participation, so the approach should be interactive. The instructor is welcome and encouraged to use visuals, and may issue hand-outs of 6 pages or less to each attendee, as long as they can be reproduced on a regular copier machine. (No fancy bells or whistles!) There is a limit of two submissions per instructor. An abstract (proposal describing the class) and a list of equipment needed must be received by 26 April 2024. A resumé indicating your qualification to lead the workshop and a final proposal must be received by 31 May 2024. A Final Syllabus or teaching outline must be received by 21 June 2024.
Industry Panel
We will hold an industry panel during the conference. Sub-topics related to the broad theme will be examined, on subjects that are current, relevant, and somewhat debated in the fields of art, art history, and creative writing. There will be a call for industry practitioners, academics and other professionals to form a panel to lead the discussions. There will be one moderator. The overriding goal of this event is participation and information exchange by the attendees. The panel discussion will run for 40-minutes followed by a 10-minute Q&A. If you are keen to participate as a panellist, please provide your name and curriculum vitae by 31 May 2024. Any masters of hand-outs to be distributed must be received by 21 June 2024.
Indie Authors
There will be a café event, featuring readings, book signing, and sales. This is open to “indie” (independently published) authors who have self-published (or will publish) a work independently, or through a small independent press, by the time of the event. Your book does not necessarily need to overtly address the theme. All genres are welcome, however emphasis will be placed on fiction. Featured authors will each read an excerpt from their book (for about 10 minutes)—and will sign books during the event. Warnborough College will earn a 20% commission on all books sold at the event. Contributing authors will be responsible for getting their books to the conference. All authors interested in participating should send a brief bio, book title, and brief book summary by 31 May 2024. Final confirmation of your attendance must be received by 21 June 2024.

Submit Your Proposal

Kent Arts Conference