CALL FOR ARTISTS-IN-RESIDENCE:

SPRING 2023 RESIDENCY | “OUR PLANET, OURSELVES”

APPLICATION DEADLINE: MARCH 21, 2023 (11:59PM ET)

Overview:

Urbano Project’s curatorial theme of “Our Planet, Ourselves” seeks to explore ideas of interconnectedness between our planet, our humanity, and ourselves through placemaking practices, interdisciplinary projects, performance, and art activism.Of particular importance is the role of the body within the contexts of more-than-human beings (such as plants, water, and fungi) and environmental activism. How can art function to advance notions of care and co-evolution?

Opportunity:

Urbano is seeking Artists-in-Residence (AIRs) for our spring 2023 (May - July) term. AIRs will facilitate original, multigenerational, months-long (a minimum of 10 weeks) artistic programming in alignment with our current theme of “Our Planet, Ourselves.”

AIRs will act as a mentor for and develop a project with local Boston community members, including Boston Public School teen artists, as well as develop curriculum for and lead in-person program sessions. The program culminates in a celebratory project/event in a format of the AIR’s choice. The final event offers the Greater Boston community a chance to interact with and reflect on the work created by the AIR and program participants. Past event formats have included gallery spaces, performances, and open houses, some taking place in unexpected public spaces around Greater Boston.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Experience as a professional practicing artist.

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

  • Experience working collaboratively with youth, special populations, and/or communities of varying backgrounds. Formal art education experience is a plus.

  • Enthusiasm for building relationships with potential partners and participants (community organizations, youth groups, small businesses, 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 and totaling 40-60 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.

    • Commitment to helping participants develop critique and reflection skills to think deeply about the creative process.

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

    • Process and place-based, with realistic ambitions.

    • Potential for long-term impact, ideally with social, racial, and/or environmental justice emphasis.

    • 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 the 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 Maker and Specialty Spaces (including STEAM Room, Fiber Arts, Metal Arts, Wood Workshop, Food Lab, Dance Studio, Theater, Community Hall, and Art Gallery). ***Availability request upon acceptance.

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

Timeline:

Call Opens: February 21, 2023 (8:00 AM ET)

Application Closes/Proposals Due: March 21, 2023 (11:59 PM ET)

Finalist Interviews & Selection of AIR: April 2023

Implementation:

  • AIR Program begins: end of April/beginning of May 2023

  • Program runs through June 2023

Application Requirements:

(Both of the following are to be completed by the application deadline of March 21, 2023, 11:59 PM ET)

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

  2. Email the following materials as email 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 short video (5 minutes maximum in length) documenting samples of your current practice (please attach these to your email as files, or share links);

    3. Work sample list, including information about each submitted sample.

If you have any questions regarding the application process, please contact Sarah Pacheco, Programs Manager, at sarah@urbanoproject.org.