As the sun sets on You Are Here 2012 things are just heating up for another very special festival – Newcastle’s This Is Not Art. As a co-director of Critical Animals (which makes up one third of the This Is Not Art family), my job is to remind you all to get amongst it. Critical Animals is a creative research symposium that acts as a forum for students, researchers, writers, artists, thinkers and just plain old curious individuals who are critically engaged with creative and experimental art practices. If you like talking, listening, discussing, debating and thinking hard then this is an event for you. If you are an art maker or enthusiast then doubly so. A trip to This Is Not Art festival is a rite of passage for anyone in the creative industries and for most it becomes an annual mission. I say, if you’re gonna head to the festival you may as well be involved.

Proposals to participate in Critical Animals 2012 are NOW OPEN and there is space for presenters and contributors from all backgrounds. Head to the Critical Animals site for full proposal guidelines and to check out what sorts of events we’ve hosted in past programs. Don’t delay, Deadline is April 1st