Take part in Animals of Manchester (Including Humanz) at MIF19

Imagine a city where animals of all kinds, including human beings, live together as equals. Animals of Manchester (including HUMANZ) pictures what life might be like if dogs, cows, squirrels, pigeons, beetles and other creatures lived alongside us not just as pets but as our peers – our companions.

On the Festival’s final weekend, MIF, LADA and Theatre of Research are hosting some absorbing animal encounters at the Whitworth Park and Gallery – and we’re looking for Manchester based human and non-human animal participants to help us create this amazing temporary city.

Interspecies Family Portrait Studio

Do you or your family have animal companions or pets, from feline to bovine? We’re looking for all kinds of human and non-human families, from all types of background, to be photographed together in a pop-up studio by artist Benji Reid for our Interspecies Family Portrait Studio.

The Interspecies Family Portrait Studio is open to you if:

• You’re available on Saturday 20 or Sunday 21 July and can bring the non-human member(s) of your family to the Whitworth Park. We anticipate that your experience will last around 30 minutes – and if you’re selected, we’ll give you exact times when you’d need to be at the venue.

When you apply, please confirm the numbers of human and non-human members of your family, their age ranges and the species of the non-human members.

Human School (Be Your Dog!)

Do you live with a dog, or would you like to develop a relationship with one? Artist Angela Bartram is delivering two days of workshops on the topic of ‘being your dog’ – and we’re looking for dogs and their companions, and humans who’d like to find dog friends, to take part.

Human School (Be Your Dog!) is open to you if:

• You’re available on Saturday 20 July if you’re a dog owner, or Sunday 21 July if you’re looking to be paired with a dog. If you have a dog companion, you must be able bring your dog to the Whitworth on Saturday 20 July.

If you have a dog companion, please confirm the breed and age of your dog when you apply.

Pets Workshops (For Human Students)

Are you aged 10-19, and do you have a small pet who lives in an enclosure, such as a tortoise, a guinea pig, a rabbit or a reptile? Artists Krõõt Juurak and Alex Bailey would love you to join their workshops and share your pet’s special skills – from sleeping in public to flying!

Pets Workshops (For Human Students) is open to you if:

• You’re available on Saturday 20 or Sunday 21 July between 10 am and 5 pm, and can bring your pet to the Whitworth Park to take part for approximately 1-2 hours – if you’re selected, we’ll give you exact times when you’d need to be at the venue. You and your pet would also need to be available to meet the artists during the week beginning Monday 15 July (specific times and dates TBC).

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When you apply, please confirm your age, the age and species of your pet, and the type of enclosure in which your pet lives.

If you’re interested in taking part in any one of these three exciting elements, please email [email protected] with the following information:

a) Which element you’d like to join (Interspecies Family Portrait Studio, Human School or Pets Workshops – please pick only one element)
b) Why you’d like to take part
c) Your eligibility for participation, with reference to the criteria listed above.
d) Confirmation that you are over the age of 18 – or if you’re not, you have a parent/carer who can give consent for you to take part in the project.
e) You must be a resident of Greater Manchester – please confirm in which area you live.

We want this opportunity to be accessible as possible and are committed to facilitating the requirements of all participants as appropriate. If you’re under 18 years of age, by contacting MIF you are confirming that you have gained consent from a parent/carer to do so.

Please confirm your interest no later than midday on Monday 17 June. Questions? Please email Chris Wright on [email protected]

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