CALL FOR ARTISTS-IN-RESIDENCE

WINTER & SPRING 2024

HABITAT

APPLICATION DEADLINE:
SEPTEMBER 18, 2023 (11:59PM ET)

Overview:

This year’s curatorial theme of “Habitat” seeks to explore the transformative power of environments in fostering longevity and well-being in their inhabitants. Inspired by the principles and practices of the Blue Zones approach, we are seeking proposals that highlight the critical roles played by habitat design, community engagement, and individual empowerment in creating happier, healthier, and more sustainable living spaces.

Opportunity:

Urbano Project is seeking Artists-in-Residence (AiRs) for our upcoming Winter and Spring 2024 terms.

Urbano AiRs will facilitate original artistic programming for up to 15 participants, spanning a minimum of 10 weeks, that aligns with this year's curatorial theme of "Habitat." AiRs develop a project alongside, and serve as a mentor for, local Boston community members, including Boston Public School teen artists, in addition to designing curriculum for and leading in-person program sessions. Each program culminates in a Final Event: a celebratory public project, event, or presentation in a format of the AIR’s choice. The Final Event offers the Greater Boston community a chance to interact with (and reflective of) the work created by the AiR and program participants. Past event formats have included gallery spaces, performances, and open houses, and some have taken place in unexpected public spaces around Greater Boston.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Experience as a professional practicing artist.

• Formal art education experience (minimum BFA/BA completed by program start) — MFA or other terminal degree a strong plus.

• Demonstrated commitment to social practice and community-based work.

• Experience working collaboratively with youth, special populations, and/or communities of varying backgrounds.

• Enthusiasm for building relationships with potential partners and participants (community organizations, youth groups, small businesses, other artists, etc).

• Investment in long-term, effective impact, ideally with social, racial, and/or economic justice emphases.

• Strong sense of concept and artistic foundation, with willingness to experiment and work across disciplines.

• Ability to commit to 4-6 hours per week, divided between program planning, implementation, and administration, totaling 50-60 hours over a minimum-10-week period.

• Project eligibility:

• Engages participants in high-quality, challenging, and supportive arts learning experiences. 

• Involves participants in conceptually developing and shaping the project.

• Helps participants develop critique and reflection skills to examine the creative process.

• Crosses boundaries between artistic disciplines and employs diverse media and tools for productive and collaborative engagement.

• Is both process and place-based, with realistic ambitions.

• Offers the potential for long-term impact, ideally with social, racial, and/or environmental justice emphases.

• Is guided by principles of equitable community engagement.

• Former Urbano AIRs are eligible to apply!

Compensation:

Artists-in-Residence will receive a $5,000 stipend for the completion of their residency: $500 for curriculum development, and $4,500 for their work on the project and the culminating event.

***Please note that a team of 2+ artists sharing the residency must also share the stipend.

Resources:

• Art supply kits for participants (***please inquire in advance before assuming access to specialized equipment).

• Support from Urbano staff in curriculum development for the program, as well as with communications, marketing, and outreach.

• Access to various classroom, event, and installation spaces in Boston, such as the Egleston Square Public Library and The Cambridge Foundry’s Point Gallery.

• Connection to a deep-knit community network of artists, organizers, and activists across Greater Boston.

Timeline:

Call Opens: August 18, 2023 (9:00 AM ET)

Application Closes/Proposals Due: September 18, 2023 (11:59 PM ET)

Finalist Interviews & Selection of AIRs: Fall 2023

Implementation: exact implementation dates, times, and locations are TBD soon; find our general expectations for winter & spring terms below. We are anticipating a continued partnership with the Cambridge Foundry in Kendall Square as our home base for programming. We will update this info as needed.

• Winter (Jan - Mar 2024)
  Monday & Wednesday evenings + 3 Saturdays (1 Field Trip per month)
        Tentative Final Event date: Saturday, March 30, 2024, 11 am - 3 pm
        Potential rehearsal date: Friday, March 29

• Spring (Apr - Jun 2024)
  Option 1: Monday & Wednesday evenings + 3 Saturdays (1 Field Trip per month)    
  Tentative Final Event Date: Saturday, June 29, 11 - 3 pm
        Potential Rehearsal Date: Friday, June 28
  
  Option 2: Tuesday & Thursday evenings + 3 Saturdays (1 Field Trip per month)
        Tentative Final Event Date: Saturday, June 29, 11 - 3 pm
        Potential Rehearsal Date: Friday, June 28

Application Requirements:

(Both of the following are to be completed by the application deadline of September 18, 2023, 11:59 PM ET)

1. Complete our Proposal Form. Proposals should reflect an authentic connection to the “Habitat” theme and a clear articulation of the project’s artistic vision and aesthetic direction.

2. Email the following materials as attachments to Stella Aguirre McGregor, Urbano Project Founder & Artistic Director: stella@urbanoproject.org, and cc Sarah Pacheco, Urbano Programs Manager: sarah@urbanoproject.org:

   1. CV (1 per applying artist);

   2. Portfolio: up to 10 images OR a maximum of 5 minutes of video documenting samples of your current practice (please attach these to your email as jpgs, pdfs, or video links); and

   3. A work sample list with information about each of your submitted samples.