BlackInk Launchpad 2026: Call for Commissions

About the Open Call

Launchpad is an initiative that works across all art forms to mentor artists and showcase their work as part of BlackInk, a magazine focusing on Black arts, heritage and cultural politics published each year for Black History Month. The 2026 commission seeks to support artists to navigate multifaceted ways of working by developing a project that translates across a print magazine and online content. Serendipity is looking for proposals suitable for publication in a print magazine that can also be creatively adapted for online formats, such as poetry with dance film, comics with animation, or photography with audio interviews.

What is Offered

A £750 fee, a feature as part of BlackInk Issue 7 (published October 2026) in print and online, support and mentorship, opportunities to build industry networks, and consideration for future opportunities.

Requirements

Applicants must be independent artists from the African, African Caribbean, or Latin American Diaspora based in the UK (including England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and British Isles). Artists must be over 18 years old and identify as Black female (as per the call's intro). The proposed work must be original and previously unpublished, and artists must be able to complete the commission by 3 July 2026.

How to Apply

Complete the Launchpad application form on the Serendipity website. Applicants must demonstrate a track record of producing quality work and submit supporting documentation including a biography (max 200 words), a project description (max 400 words), and evidence of existing work such as photographs, video clips, or web links.