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CALL: EA Residency Application

Applications Due Nov 15, 2019 by 11:59 PM
Artist Notification Dec. 10, 2019

Duration of Residency: Feb. 1 2020- Oct 31 2020

Please use this form to apply for the RESIDENCY. If you wish to apply for the FELLOWSHIP, please use this form.

ENGAGING ARTISTS (EA) is More Art’s 2-tiered, Fellowship and Residency program for artists seeking to both develop and sustain their public art and socially-engaged practice. The program curriculum encompases a professional development series, public art commission opportunities, mentorship, and peer networking. The EA Curriculum is valued at $25,000 per participant.

This nine-month Residency provides an infrastructure and laboratory for NYC-based early career and underrepresented artists to gain a deeper understanding of the history of the field of public art. The Residency is focused on the incubation and commissioning of a public art project. The Residency carries a $8000 award to realize the project.

  • The Residency includes

    • A $8,000 Residency commission to realize a public art project
    • Optional professional development workshops and peer network support (concurrent with Fellowship programing, valued at $25,000 per participant)
    • Strategic meetings with More Art to receive feedback, mentorship, and curatorial support
    • Feedback sessions with More Art Fellows, staff, and guest practitioners in the field (both arts and non-arts professionals, including artists, public art administrators, educators, urban planners, community organizers)
    • Studio visits and professional network building
    • Review of current trends in funding, philanthropy, and the art market
    • Introduction to international Residency opportunities
    • Suggested list of events and subsequent group discussions
    • Public events curated and promoted by More Art, featuring research, works-in-progress, and completed works inspired or generated through the Fellows and Residents community-based work
    • Marketing via the More Art network, email list, and social media
    • Access to Materials for the Arts
    • Residency is research and curriculum based. We do not provide housing or studio space

    EA Curriculum Description

    EA Residents have the option to participate in intensive professional development workshops concurrent with the Fellowship curriculum. The curriculum addresses the history of socially engaged art, community organizing methods, and best practices for establishing and sustaining community partnerships, as well as individual critiques and group feedback sessions to support EA participants in the development and creation of new and continued work. Sessions are led by More Art staff and guest facilitators. These workshops are meant to support 1 or 2 artists in the development of a public project.

    2020 Program Timeline

    The EA Residency is a nine-month program: Feb 1. 2020 to Oct. 31, 2020.

    This timeline illustrates the arc of the program. This is a suggested timeline which can be adapted to fit the needs of the proposed project and should be articulated in the project narrative. More Art focuses on supporting Residents in the varying stages of long-term work. Each phase (I-III) denotes the focus of professional development programs and support.

    1. Design (Winter 2020)
      During this phase, the Residents will be expected to participate in bimonthly professional development sessions and strategic meetings with More Art. During this time frame, the Residents will be mentored in developing the following:
      – Residency orientation and intensive 2-day workshop and retreat on Feb. 1 and 2, 2020
      – Bi-weekly check-in sessions to be scheduled in advance with More Art staff
      – Reviewing project proposal and timeline
      – Workshopping project budgets and concept statement
      – Critique and feedback on proposal
      – Discussions on how to bring funders to the table and changes in philanthropy landscape
      – Cultivating community partnerships
    2. Development (Spring – Summer)
      – Continuation of community engagement and project design
      – Project development consultations with public art practitioners, producers, as well as vendors
      – Preparation for public presentation
      – Curatorial Review
    3. Presentation (Summer – Fall)
      During this phase artists will focus on the final presentation of their project in a public space in New York City, including arranging a formal opening, media outreach, public programming and events.

    Time Expectations of the EA Residents

    Resident will be required to dedicate a set number of hours, to be determined at the onset of the program. This time will be used to engage with the EA Curriculum and/or collaborate with More Art staff developing the final public art project, and working with(in) partnering organizations or contexts over the course of the first 6 months of the program, situating their status as artists-in-Residence. Often Residents get hands-on with the day-to-day work of activism and advocacy, which at times may not directly involve the arts. Upon completion of the Residency the artist will be expected to have their first public art commission fully realized.

    Project Support

    This year $8000 will be awarded to 1 or 2 selected projects, to support the realization of the artists’ vision within a public space in New York City. More Art will facilitate the development of community collaborations, research, and building participation. The selected project must culminate in an exhibition in public space, event, series, collaboration, or engagement within the 9-month Residency period.

    Additionally the Residents are offered the opportunity to follow the Fellowship curriculum, and participate in intensive professional development workshops, addressing the history of socially engaged art, community organizing methods, and best practices for establishing and sustaining community partnerships, as well as individual critiques and group feedback sessions to support Residents in the development and creation of new and continued work. Sessions are led by More Art staff and guest facilitators.

    Funding will be contingent on the completion of agreed upon benchmarks. The inability to complete these requirements will jeopardize eligibility for continued project support and public presentation.

    Resource Allocation

    This is a suggested budget breakdown which can be adapted to fit the needs of the proposed project and should be articulated in the project narrative.
    10% Artist Fee
    10% Public Relations
    5% Video Documentation & Printed Materials
    20% Research & Outreach
    5% Workshops
    5% Public Programs
    45% Exhibition Production

    Eligibility Requirements

    Who does the program serve? More Art welcomes applications from underrepresented artists including early career socially-engaged public artists based in the five boroughs of New York City and/or in easy commuting distance.

    Applicants should be early career artists who have an established practice as an artist (record of exhibitions, talks, reviews, publications, or public presentations) with demonstrated history of work in social or community-based practice but have yet to exhibit a project in a public space. Must be able to articulate vision, rough timeline and budget. Project support is granted to aide artists in varying stages of developing rigorous public art and community-based projects.

    We encourage applications from first generation and immigrant artists; artists of color; individuals from economically disadvantaged backgrounds; artists who have been excluded from the resources of the art world because of disability, cultural, racial, and linguistic heritage and/or identity; who do not have formal artistic training; or whose creative practices have been historically underrepresented and/or marginalized. More Art welcomes applications from artists of all disciplines, including but not limited to: visual artists, performers, choreographers, musicians, designers, and new media artists. Currently enrolled undergraduate students may not apply. Collective applications are welcome.

    See more and apply here.