The Kent Medway Museums National Portfolio Organisation Partnership (KMM NPO) are seeking proposals from sound artists to create new audio artworks to be accessioned as permanent artefacts within the museum collections. ‘Ten Songs for a Lar’ is an ambitious new commission searching for multiple audio interpretations of a bronze ‘Lar’ – a household god figurine (dated circa. 200AD) held in the collections at The Guildhall Museum, Rochester, UK.
Click here for the application / registration
Deadline: 15 Jun 2020
This commission is part of the KMM NPO’s ambition to produce artworks that encourage audiences to think about ‘What is collecting? What makes a display? Which stories are being told at museums and how?’ Museum objects, often grouped in predefined, restricted spaces sit silently, sparsely captioned, awaiting the attention of further, deeper, exploration. Museums do not just collect, care, and exhibit objects; they categorise, contextualise, and interpret objects to fulfill their own, and their intended audiences, requirements. The many stories behind these often human made objects, and the emotive connections they intend to make, can therefore become difficult to obtain.
The KMM NPO is looking to appoint 10 musicians or artists (from across the globe) working with sound to create individual, thought provoking, emotive works to interpret a Lar figurine – an inherently ‘traditional’ museum object. Without the need for images, physical presence, and perhaps even words, we want to know: ‘what does this object say to you, and what stories do you wish to give voice to, and bring to life, through music and sound?’.
Ten Songs For A Lar: Benefits
Successful artists will receive £1,000 per selected track (inclusive of VAT).
Inspired by the Guildhall Lar, the commission will comprise of 10 separate audio responses. The 10 audio responses will:
- Become permanent digital artefacts accessioned (added to) the collections of the NPO partners
- Made into a physical, limited-edition vinyl record to be deposited in each of the museums partners collections
- Be promoted individually and as a group of audio tracks (album)
- Exhibited together as part of a touring exhibition/display
- Through the process of this commission the KMM NPO also intends to achieve broader aims of:
- Showing and interpreting collections in new and exciting ways
- Reaching new, and broader audiences
- Extend the cultural offering at each of the partner organisations
- Promote a diverse and varied point of view in response to traditional museum items
- Continue to challenge the boundaries of commissioning within museums by embracing non-physical, non-visual, creative outputs
- Maximise the potential of those working from home, via digital platforms and the ability to work and share creativity within the current climate
- Lead innovatively, and with flexibility – supporting and showcase artist otherwise unable to currently work and develop their practice
About The Kent Medway Museums National Portfolio Organisation Partnership
The KMM NPO is a group of four museums (The Historic Dockyard Chatham, Canterbury Museums & Galleries, Guildhall Museum Rochester and Tunbridge Wells Museum & Gallery) funded by Arts Council England (ACE) to work together to deliver excellence in the use of collections and to inspire learning, creativity, and well-being to existing and new audiences in their communities.
For more information, contact luke.currall@tunbridgewells.gov.uk.
...
The Keller Public Arts Board is seeking six artists to paint or sculpt during the Keller Art Walk event. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020. Artists will be expected to work in their booth space, viewable to the public, for the duration of the event, excluding reasonable breaks for lunch. Artwork created during the event must be appropriate for public viewing and support the family friendly atmosphere of the City of Keller, Texas. In addition to plein air artists, the event will feature a kid zone, live music, and vendors. Artists not selected as plein air artists by the Board may participate in the event with a regular paid vendor spot.
Click here for the application / registration
Deadline: 21 Jun 2020
The Keller Public Arts Board will host the fourth annual Keller Art Walk on November 14, 2020 in the city’s recently updated Old Town area. The Board is offering free booth space and a $150 stipend to six artists selected as the event’s plein air artists. The Keller Art Walk is an arts and music festival designed to give local artists an affordable opportunity to showcase their work while attracting people to experience Keller’s burgeoning arts and entertainment district.
Although the Keller Art Walk is open to vendors of all types, all vendor recruitment is directed at artists and the Board sincerely hopes the event can be of benefit to the participating artists. The Keller Art Walk is held in the Old Town Keller West area, located on the west side of U. S. Highway 377 near the city’s border with Fort Worth. The Keller Public Arts Board has sole discretion on booth location for each artist.
Keller Art Walk Plein Air Artists Honorarium
Each selected artist will receive a $150 honorarium on the day of the event. Selected artists will receive booth space, inclusive of a 10 x 10 canopy (optional), at no charge for displaying and selling additional work. Artists’ names and website/social media contacts will be posted on the event website, Facebook page, and on-site signage. Booth space includes set up and tear down.
About Keller Public Arts Board
The Board is committed to making Keller a community that embraces and benefits from the arts. The Old Town Keller area originally developed along the railroad tracks, which served as the impetus for the founding of Keller. Once the site of a bustling train depot, city leaders now aim to establish Old Town as a destination for pedestrian-oriented businesses offering a variety of shopping, dining, and other services.
For more information, contact publicarts@cityofkeller.com
...
Gensler, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), and Jair Lynch Real Estate Partners (JLREP) are soliciting qualifications from accomplished artists or artist teams to create a site-specific WMATA public artwork for the new WMATA Regional Headquarters Facility at 2395 Mill Road, Alexandria VA. The building entry facade and lobby spaces have been identified as possible locations for the artwork in order to create the best experience for WMATA employees, visitors, and members of the public.
Click here for the application / registration
(Use the arrows on the side of the screen to navigate the application information.)
Deadline: 12 Jun 2020
The WMATA Eisenhower Avenue building is a 14-story headquarters facility that will consolidate several departments including the authority’s Technology and Engineering groups. It will foster a culture that is safety-focused, customer-centric, and technology-enabled as well as create a rich, immersive employee experience. The building will feel welcoming, open, and accessible. The building’s entry lobby is a light-filled, double-height space wrapping the southwest corner of the building.
Parameters and Goals
The Authority has a history of and expectation for design excellence and, through its Art in Transit Program, has been working to obtain unique, memorable, and engaging site-specific, public artworks. The artists/artist teams shall develop aesthetically attractive public artworks that capture the Authority’s mission and reflect the artistic, cultural and/or historical interests of the surrounding communities. Consideration shall be given to creative uses of materials, massing, scale, form, texture, and detailing. Artworks shall be visually attractive, innovative, and durable. The selected site-specific artworks should impart a sense of pride within the local community and provide a stimulating and attractive environment for the people who will experience the artworks daily.
The artwork selection will follow a two-phase process referred to as Phase 1 and Phase 2. The artist selection panel seeks a pool of applicants with a successful history of public art and collaboration with public agencies and/or design build projects.
Phase 1
Requires artists/artist teams to prepare and submit qualifications as appropriate for the scope of work and qualifications submittal requirements as set forth in this solicitation. An artist selection panel led by WMATA and JLREP, and comprising art and design professionals, will select at least three artists/artist teams as determined by this RFQ’s evaluation criteria.
The selected artists/artist teams will each receive a $1,500 design fee to prepare and submit a site-specific artwork proposal that will comply with the prescribed concepts. These artists/artist teams will then proceed to Phase 2 of the selection process.
Phase 2
WMATA and JLREP will invite the selected artists/artist teams whose qualifications are deemed acceptable to receive detailed contract information for the purpose of submitting site-specific, Phase 2 artwork proposals. WMATA and JLREP expects the proposals to include all premiums required to complete the project on or ahead of the schedule listed in the present RFQ.
As part of the proposal, the artists/artist teams are expected to provide a site-specific design and the estimated costs for fabrication, installation, engineering/architectural coordination, technical, clerical, and other services necessary as well as schedules required for the fabrication and installation of the artwork. The artist/artists team’s experience and professional record should provide convincing evidence of their ability to successfully complete the project as proposed.
The artist selection panel will rank each site-specific artwork based on the evaluation criteria listed in this RFQ and make a recommendation to the WMATA General Manager for approval. JLREP will then enter into negotiations with the top-ranked artists/artist team to finalize the contract award process. If JLREP is unable to reach agreement with the top ranked artists/artist team, they will end negotiations and begin negotiations with the next ranked artists/artist team.
WMATA Public Artwork Budget
The maximum budget for the site-specific art project is not to exceed $250,000 all-inclusive of design (artist fee included), construction, and installation as well as other miscellaneous costs. The budget for artwork as outlined in this call for artists is subject to the availability of funds.
About Gensler
Gensler is one community. Their community is focused on improving the human experience, guided by a vision that’s committed to making a better world and realized through the positive changes they make in people’s lives. When they move forward together, the impact is real. Their incredible global team of 6,000+ people is shaping the future of cities every day. It starts with a vision: to Create a Better World Through the Power of Design. This vision comes to life across expertise in 24 practice areas, client relationships, a network of global and local leaders, and diversity of talent.
About Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) was created by an interstate compact in 1967 to plan, develop, build, finance, and operate a balanced regional transportation system in the national capital area. Metro began building its rail system in 1969, acquired four regional bus systems in 1973, and began operating the first phase of Metrorail in 1976. Today, Metrorail serves 91 stations and has 117 miles of track. Metrobus serves the nation’s capital 24 hours a day, seven days a week with 1,500 buses. Metrorail and Metrobus serve a population of approximately 4 million within a 1,500-square mile jurisdiction. Metro began its paratransit service, MetroAccess, in 1994; it provides about 2.3 million trips per year.
For more information, contact Barton_Bland@gensler.com.
...
Giertz Gallery at Parkland College announces a call for artists for exhibition proposals in all genres of contemporary art making by solo artists, collaborative groups, or curators. Exhibits are scheduled for approximately six weeks.
Click here for the application / registration
Deadline: 15 May 2020
Submit 20 images; an identifying list of titles, sizes, dates, and media; a resume; and an artist statement related to this body of work. Applications are accepted on an on-going basis for future review. However, application materials must be received by May 15, 2020, to be included in the next review cycle.
The artist is responsible for expenses and insurance while the artwork is being transported to the gallery. Giertz Gallery provides return shipping or an honorarium to defray return travel expenses.
Artist Benefits
Honorariums are provided for solo and two person exhibitions as well as for participating in visiting artist activities including lectures, gallery talks, and/or workshops. Every exhibition features an announcement card and poster and social media promotion including Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. The gallery provides email blasts for all exhibitions. For many large group exhibitions, they feature a catalog with essay by guest curator.
About Giertz Gallery
Located in Champaign, Illinois, Giertz Gallery is a professionally designed gallery devoted primarily to education through contemporary art. Giertz Gallery hosts seven exhibitions per year including two student exhibitions, one Art and Design Faculty Show, and a National Invitational. Other shows vary depending on applications and the vision of the Art Gallery Advisory Board.
Giertz Gallery is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution providing access to exhibitions, arts and education programs, and employment without regard to age, race, color, national origin, gender, religion, sexual orientation, veteran’s status, political affiliation, or disability. They are a section 504/ADA-compliant institution and are free and open to the public.
Open to the public and free of charge, the Donna Hyland Giertz Gallery is a teaching gallery, striving to serve the educational and cultural needs of a diverse community. Each year through its exhibitions and programming, the gallery seeks to promote the development of artists’ talent and aesthetic awareness while at the same time expanding the audience’s appreciation of various art forms. The gallery presents exhibitions by contemporary artists of regional and national status whom are selected to illustrate a wide range of traditional and innovative work of all media.
Giertz Gallery History
In 1981, Parkland’s Art Gallery officially opened its doors through the foresight, interest, and enthusiasm of the college faculty, administration, students, and the community. It was known as Parkland Art Gallery. In 2014, the gallery was named The Donna Hyland Giertz Gallery in recognition of college trustee and former faculty member Donna Giertz after she and her husband, Fred Giertz, provided a generous gift to support Parkland’s Art Gallery. In recognition of this gift and Giertz’s 20+ years of service to Parkland, the college named the existing gallery The Donna Hyland Giertz Gallery also known as The Giertz Gallery at Parkland College.
Centrally located in the main building on the north side of the beautifully landscaped campus, the Donna Hyland Giertz Gallery overlooks an outdoor fountain on the exterior and faces a main thoroughfare of foot traffic. It can be viewed through floor to ceiling windows on the interior with easy access from inside the building. Parkland College was established in 1967. The permanent campus, built in 1973, was designed by the award-winning California-based architect Ernest Kump, It was featured in an exhibit at the New York Museum of Modern Art to highlight outstanding architectural designs.
Born of the concept that the campus was an educational village, it was designed to welcome the community and provide a relaxed feeling and easily accessible resources. The Giertz Gallery features a professionally designed space but maintains the feeling of the original architectural intent. Situated in the main part of campus, it remains central to student life. It is readily available to the community.
Giertz Gallery Programming
Open year round, the Gallery has an extensive exhibition calendar that includes seven exhibitions per year and includes solo and group exhibitions. The Gallery hosts the State of the Art: National Biennial Ceramics Invitational on alternating years. It engages a guest curator so that the exhibitions continue to reflect current viewpoints from many different perspectives. An exhibition catalog accompanies the biennial exhibit that includes background information on the participating artists and a scholarly essay by the guest curator.
To complement and support the educational mission of the Fine Arts Program, an annual Art and Design Faculty Exhibition takes place to highlight the talent of the Faculty at Parkland College in Art and Visual Communication Design. Two juried exhibitions of work by Parkland College students in the Art and Design program and the Visual Communication Design Program are part of the yearly schedule. They provide practical professional experience to students and allow the community to see the talents and efforts of these emerging artists.
Artist receptions, gallery talks, For Art’s Sake, and videotaped interviews with artists aired on Parkland College Television Station are presented to interpret many exhibitions including the High School Art Seminar, Gallery Tours, and High Noon with the Artist lecture series. Programs are offered to school groups between kindergarten and twelfth grade, college classes, teachers, and community members. Class tours encourage students to develop critical thinking and communication skills while expanding their understanding of art in the gallery.
In the studio, students learn to prepare their work and understand the professional requirements of exhibiting their work in a professional space. The unique location on the Parkland College Campus allows students the opportunity to visualize college life and imagine a possible career in the arts beyond school. The gallery completes the circle by teaching college students to become educators in the arts. By introducing significant visual arts close to home in the Parkland Community, these programs can lay the foundation for a lifelong interest in the arts.
For more information, contact giertzgallery@parkland.edu.
...
The City of Aurora Art in Public Places Program (AIPP) and the On Havana Business Improvement District (Havana BID) announce a call for artists for Art 2C on Havana. Outdoor sculpture will be considered for an exhibition on Havana Street in Aurora, CO, for two years. The exhibit is scheduled to open in October, 2020. Selected artists should anticipate installing their artwork in the first week of October, 2020 and de-installing it in mid-September, 2022.
Click here for the application / registration
Deadline: 29 Mar 2020
On Havana Street and the City of Aurora’s Art in Public Places program are proud to partner to bring the Tenth Annual Art 2C on Havana. This highly successful and anticipated exhibition brings twelve temporary sculptures bi-annually to the business district. The exhibition provides residents and visitors with a unique way to experience the Business District. Public art such as this provides sculptors with opportunities to share their work, gain recognition for the quality of their work, and compete for cash awards.
Eligibility
- Artists must reside in one of the following states: Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, New Mexico, Kansas, or Nebraska
- Exhibit for the full length of the exhibition, approximately two years
- Ready for exhibition
- Fulfill the design and selection criteria
Design and Selection Criteria
- Quality of workmanship
- Three dimensional, freestanding sculpture of any medium suitable for outdoor exhibition
- Artwork must be made from a material appropriate for outdoor exhibition. It must be able to withstand the changing weather conditions of Colorado. These include high summer temperatures (above 100F), low winter temperatures (below 0F), temperatures that can vary more than 40 degrees in a few hours, high winds, hail and significant snowfall.
- Size: minimum 4’ and maximum 14’ in height
- Weight: minimum 100 lbs and maximum 4,000 lbs in weight
- Artwork should not contain sharp objects or edges
- Artwork must be durable, require little to no maintenance, be graffiti resistant, and be prepared for installation
Installation Criteria
- Selected artists should expect to install their artwork by the first week of October, 2020
- Artists must transport, install, and de-install their own artwork. (Assistance and equipment can be provided if requested at the time of acceptance.)
- All sculptures must be attached to a steel plate that will be bolted to a concrete base. Alternative methods must be approved by AIPP and Havana BID staff at the time of acceptance
- AIPP staff must be present when the artwork is installed and de-installed (removed) from the site
Detailed Installation Plan Description
- Title of artwork
- Artist name and contact information for day of installation
- Dimensions of artwork
- Weight of artwork
- Dimensions of connecting plate
- Type and size of bolt required to connect to concrete base
- Equipment required for installation (e.g. crane, drill, hammer)
- Number of people required to install the artwork
Art 2C On Havana Artist Benefits
Exhibiting artists will be paid a $2,500 stipend for the transportation, installation, and de-installation of their artwork.
The Havana BID is providing funds for cash awards in the following amounts:
- 1st Place: $1,250
- 2nd Place: $750
- 3rd Place: $500
Sculptures may be purchased from the Art 2C on Havana exhibition and will be advertised as such. Aurora AIPP may purchase sculpture from the exhibit to be added to the City’s public art collection.
About City of Aurora Art in Public Places
The City of Aurora Art in Public Places program has made it possible for locally and nationally renowned artists to enhance the city’s public spaces with works of art ranging from indoor wall hangings to monumental outdoor sculptures and architecturally integrated works. The collection includes about 300 pieces valued at approximately $4 million, creating cultural landmarks that serve as a cornerstone of the city’s identity.
The Art in Public Places program is governed by a nine-member, Aurora City Council-appointed commission. The mission of the Art in Public Places Commission is to create great places that contribute to neighborhood development, economic vitality, and enrich and engage the community of Aurora.
For more information, contact publicart@auroragov.org.
...
The city of Ketchum, Idaho, announces a call for artists to apply for Ketchum’s summer sculpture exhibition, “Art on Fourth.” In its thirteenth year, Art on Fourth has become an exciting part of the city’s summer attractions, presenting artwork by diverse artists ranging from locals to those of national standing. Past exhibitors include Rod Kagan, Boaz Vaadia, Gwynn Murrill, Steve Jensen, Will Robinson, and Robert Kantor.
Click here for the application / registration
Deadline: 6 Apr 2020
Original three-dimensional artwork by selected artists will be displayed in outdoor public spaces along Ketchum’s Fourth Street Heritage Corridor from June through October 2020. As part of Ketchum’s Downtown Master Plan, the Fourth Street Heritage Corridor was created as a pedestrian friendly street. Widened sidewalks feature benches and sites for artwork.
Selected artists will receive a $2,500 stipend for the exhibition of their work. The exhibition will be featured on the city’s website; the city’s newsletter, Word on the Street with a distribution list that includes over 5,000 subscribers; and shared with almost 2,000 followers on Instagram and over 3,300 followers on Facebook.
About the City of Ketchum
The city of Ketchum is located in the Wood River Valley in south central Idaho. Founded in 1880 during the mining boom, Ketchum is now regarded as one of the most popular destinations for winter and summer visitors due to its world-class skiing, mountain biking, fishing, hiking, restaurants, shopping, and sophisticated arts and cultural offerings.
In 2018, Ketchum was awarded designation by the International Dark-Sky Association as a Dark Sky Community. It is included in the Nation’s first International Dark Sky Reserve, one of only 13 in the world. The city of Ketchum hosts the famous annual Wagon Days Parade, held on Labor Day weekend, and numerous other year-round attractions. Ketchum is home to more than 10,000 full- and part-time residents.
For more information, contact lenourato@ketchumidaho.org.
...
Via Las Vegas announces a call for artists for their Street Painting Festival. They are looking for incredible artists to create extraordinary art. Making art is all about the journey. What better way to enjoy creating than with others to witness the magic you bring to life. Pastels are the medium and the street is your canvas. The event is free to the public, meant to promote the arts and artists of Las Vegas, and makes art engaging for all. This includes people with special needs in the ‘Art-For-All’ Wall.
Click here for the application / registration
Deadline: 20 Jul 2020
There are no fees to participate.
No idea what street painting is or how to do it? No problem. Via Las Vegas will host several artists’ workshops for anyone interested in learning more about street painting or just to get a feel for what the event is all about.
Event dates: September 19th and 20th, 2020. Expect 10-15 thousand people over the two day weekend.
Street Painting Festival Participant Benefits
All participating artists will be promoted on the Via Las Vegas website with their photo and bio as soon as they are confirmed. Via Las Vegas will promote participants via Instagram and FB with posts about each artist leading up to the event. Participants will receive supplies to create their work, goodie bag filled with fun items from sponsors, festival T-shirt, food over 2 day weekend, free artist workshops leading up to the event, artist reception, and, of course, an incredible audience to view your masterpiece.
Artists are encouraged to pass out cards and flyers with their information while they work for anyone interested in commissioning them for a project.
About Via Las Vegas
Via Las Vegas is a non-profit arts festival hosted by Tivoli Village.
For more information, contact melanie@vialasvegas.org.
...
The City of Elgin announces a call for artists for the New Works Public Art Plan 2020. The call is open to artists of all levels, worldwide. This year the call is specifically for a 2D piece to be applied to a covered pedestrian bridge and stairwell in downtown Elgin, IL. The Elgin Cultural Arts Commission will review applications. Successful applicants should demonstrate a clear purpose for the artwork, offer support to demonstrate their ability to successfully complete their proposal, a balanced budget and timeline, and a strong commitment to making artwork accessible and relevant to a diverse range of participants.
Click here for the application / registration
Deadline: 2 Apr 2020
Applicants should show that their proposals have artistic and/or cultural value. It is recommended that proposals not include designs that would be considered inappropriate and/or indecent by community standards.
New Works Public Art Plan 2020 Participant Benefits
The selected artist will receive an honorarium up to $20,000 and support from the City of Elgin. Elgin has a vast network of local and regional artists that are active in the area. While this call is for one project, it is the City’s goal and intent to remain partners with the selected artist and build a lasting relationship. The selected artist will have the opportunity to meet the public during the installation process and engage with them on a very direct level. City staff will be on hand from start to finish to ensure success.
About the City of Elgin
The City of Elgin, IL, is a diverse community with more than 40% of our community identifying as Hispanic or Latinx. The community is active in historical preservation, sustainability, the arts, and outdoor activities. The City of Elgin has been establishing itself a community of the arts for years. The public art initiatives are a major part of that continued growth. The City of Elgin is located about 35 miles west of Chicago. It sits along the Fox River.
For more information, contact culturalarts@cityofelgin.org.
...
ArtPrize Grand Rapids announces a call for artists for a Public Art Grant. On March 16, the selected artists will each have five minutes to pitch their installation ideas for ArtPrize 2020 to a panel of art experts from around the country. ArtPrize will work to connect the selected artist with firms providing in-kind services, designed to assist with project budgets. These firms can include shipping, construction, engineering and materials. These donations are not guaranteed.
Click here for the application / registration
Deadline: 14 Feb 2020
The ArtPrize competition, which takes place every other fall in Grand Rapids, MI, is open to any artist and decided by public vote. It invites artists to try out new ideas for an audience. Registered artists and venues connect online at artprize.org and agree to present the artwork for public display during the 19-day event. The public votes using mobile devices and the web to distribute $250,000 in cash prizes.
In 2018, the tenth installment of ArtPrize included over 1,260 entries representing 40 countries and 41 U.S. states and territories. ArtPrize annually attracts more than half a million active participants. Since its inception, individuals of all backgrounds have cast more than 3.4 million votes for public art.
Public Art Grant Participant Benefits
$15,000 will be provided to the winning artist to offset costs for
- Transportation and installation of artwork to ArtPrize
- Maintaining the installation throughout the event
- Removing installation after ArtPrize 2020
- Restoring installation site to its original condition (Leave No Trace)
Following this open call for proposals, five finalists from anywhere in the U.S. will be provided with a stipend of $500 to travel to Austin during SXSW Interactive. Each artist will present for five minutes, using up to five slides to describe their proposal to a live audience and a panel of five judges. One artist receives a $15,000 grant to install the project at ArtPrize 2020, slated to take place from September 16 to October 4, 2020. At ArtPrize, the project will compete for $250,000 in prizes determined by public vote.
About ArtPrize Grand Rapids
The ArtPrize organization produces citywide contemporary art experiences that encourage critical discourse, celebrate artists, transform urban space, and promote cultural understanding.
For more information, contact pitchnight@artprize.org.
...
World of Co Artist Residency 2020 offers a friendly, supportive, and stimulating atmosphere to international and Bulgarian artists, curators, researchers and art managers. The residency enables participants to develop ongoing research, work on art projects, and discover the city and artistic scene of Bulgaria. By creating opportunities for meetings, the program initiates an environment for exchanges and discussions to foster common experiments between people and venues from various disciplinary fields. During the residency, the artists focus on research, experiments, production, learning new skills, critical discourse, networking, and collaboration.
Click here for the application / registration
Deadline: 25 Feb 2020
The residency is the first year-round program in the country. It runs from January to December. World of Co Alumni consists of more than 100 residents, working in a variety of artistic fields like fine arts, film, literature, fashion, and graphic design. Open to artists of all ages at any point in their career – visual artists, textile artists, media artists, multidisciplinary artists, photographers, graphic designers, illustrators, animators, fashion designers, jewelry designers, educators, and video / film makers from all around the world.
World of Co Artist Residency 2020 Studio Space
Living in a beautiful apartment in the city center, meeting locals, visiting art events in unique spaces, and enjoying wonderful views accompanied by the great food and drinks will make you remember your stay in Sofia.
The residency includes a spacious apartment that occupies the entire floor of a historic residential building from 1895, surviving both World Wars. Despite the fact that the whole space is renovated, some of the details in the interior are preserved and person still can immerse in the days of the Kingdom of Bulgaria.
The apartment includes three fully-furnished individual bedrooms with bed, nightstand, clothes rack, and desk in addition to the one in the studio, where the artists can create when they need some privacy. The studio is part of the same apartment, a bright open shared space, equipped with big working desks, comfortable chairs, lamps, and easels. Except the private bedrooms, everything else is shared with future fellows – bathroom, balcony, fully equipped kitchen (with utensils, oven, microwave, coffee machine, toaster, fridge, and washing machine).
The residents have access to fast Wi-Fi connection, art and travel books, some English novels, and catalogs of previous residents and Bulgarian artists. Some basic tools such as hammers, screwdrivers, levels, scissors, pliers, wire, tape, glue, paper, and painting materials donated by previous artists are at your disposal. Cleaning service included.
Support
- Technical and research support in the implementation of the artists’ projects
- Presenting and promoting the artists and their projects produced during the residency through World of Co network, website, and social media
- Welcome pack and Q&A on-boarding session – practical information about your life in Sofia
- Selected list with independent art spaces, institutional art galleries and museums, art supply stores, print shops, hardware shops, bars, and restaurants in Sofia
- Curated list of art and culture events happening in Sofia during your stay
- Bulgarian SIM card
Meetings
- Guided cultural program with specially selected meetings and artists’ visits
- Series of sessions: Insights into artistic research
- Moderated discussion: Building an effective online presence as artist – tips and advises
- Group meetings: Artists’ talks and goals for the residency
- Shared discussions on progress, issues, and project stages
- Learning the basics of Bulgarian language with World of Co team
- Workshops in traditional crafts or other can be organized (Optional – not included in the residency fee)
Group Exhibition
- Curated group exhibition / open studio at the end of the residency session
- Gallery show organization and coordination, artist statements, bios, invites, and set up
- Selection of gallery, art, or alternative space for the exhibition
Social Equity
The mission of World of Co Artist Residency is to develop a collaborative platform for artistic and cultural exchange and social equity. The World of Co has hosted artists from Europe, Australia, Africa, Asia, and South and North America. Creative topics relate to social equity, so together we can bring more awareness of Bulgaria and in the world.
About World of Co Artist Residency
The World of Co Artist Residency, international multidisciplinary art program, is based in the heart of Sofia. They create space for artistic exploration while introducing the vibrant cultural and contemporary art scene in the beautiful capital of Bulgaria. The mission of World of Co Artist Residency is to develop a collaborative platform for artistic and cultural exchange, driven by the new inspirations from the people and the city. The residency fosters communication and cooperation between guest artists, their local fellows, galleries, art centers, and alternative spaces. The Residency provides artists the opportunity to exhibit in front of the Bulgarian audience. World of Co partners with contemporary art galleries, universities, alternative spaces, NGOs, and other organizations.
About Sofia, Bulgaria
Sofia is the capital of Bulgaria. It is a dynamic city with a vivid art scene, parks, and urban treasures. Always have something new to explore. The city represents a striking and interesting mixture of Eastern and Western manners, culture, and lifestyle. It is a place with friendly vibes and rich history. Dive into the eclectic nature through discovering brutalist Communist architecture, the Ottoman urban structures, archaeological sites, and modern districts. The soul of Sofia is the artsy side streets and alleys, public spaces where young people gather, and local outdoor food, book, and flea markets.
For more information, contact contact@worldof.co.