Visual Art Residency Program: For Graduating Students

March 21st, 2008

  • 2008 Call for entries
  • Purpose of the Residency
    • to encourage the work of innovative artists
    • to infuse challenging ideas and issues into the community
    • to forge relationships between artists and the community
    During the residency, artists make a full-timecommitment to collaborate with an
    under-served community group under-served community group under-served community for up to eight weeks to create artwork based on issues relevant to the participants' lives. Artists work with the community group approximately 6 hours per week in addition to several hours of outside time necessary for fulfilling the goals of the residency. The residency also provides artists with the time, space, and financial assistance to work on their own inde- pendent projects. Residencies typically culminate in an exhibition, performance, or installation at the community site or at the DCCA. The DCCA may also schedule an exhibition of the artist's own work.The DCCA oversees the details of the residency, arranges for the community partnership in cooperation with the artist, seeks funding, and supports the planning and documentation processes. This includes a catalogue that features residencies with images, project summaries, and artists' biographies.

    About the DCCA
    Founded in 1979 to promote the growth and development of the contemporary arts in Delaware, the DCCA is a non-collecting museum that presents exhibitions and programs that explore the boundaries of contemporary art, reflects the interests of artists and a culturally diverse audience, and brings current issues into focus. The DCCA believes that the arts are a vital part of society and that artists are catalysts for new ideas and change. The DCCA's programs, educational outreach, and services to the community enhance public understanding and appreciation of contemporary art. In 2000, the DCCA moved to its current location on Wilmington's Riverfront. The building has three large exhibition galleries as well as four smaller galleries dedicated to innovative projects, one-person shows of contemporary craft, and the work of artist members and DCCA studio artists. In addition to exhibition space, DCCA facilities include an auditorium, a studio-classroom, a museum store, 26 artist studios, and an apartment for artists-in-residence.

    Theme
    For the 2009-2010 calendar year, the DCCA Visual Arts Residency program asks artists to investigate and respond to the varying ways reality is represented and understood by contemporary society. How do we perceive, create, and represent our world in the name of reality? What role does reality telev- sion and mass media play in the representation of life and culture? How does the notion of reality function in a society where virtual and simulated realities are part of the vernacular? What defines "the real world"? What ideas underlie artistic meditations on reality, today? This call is open to artists working in both traditional and non-traditional media.

    How to Apply
    To apply for the DCCA Visual Arts Residency program, artists must submit:
    1) A one page (500 words) proposal that includes the following:
    • A description of thA description of thA e proposed project that explores the reality theme and how these concerns affect society, the medium that will be used, and if the project will be a permanent or semi-permanent installation
    •The type of organization, including age groups, that would be a good community partner for the proposal. Explain why this group fits into the proposed project (a specific organization is not necessary)
    • The impact that the residency could have on your work and the Wilmington community
    2) Three choices for residency dates (eight weeks each)
    3) Resume that includes past community-based projects
    4) 10 digital images on cd in a PowerPoint presentation that can be viewed on a Mac. Images must be 96dpi and have a maximum size of 600 x 450 pixels. Each image must not exceed 2 MB. Label each work at the bottom of the image, including the artist's name, title of the work, date, media and dimensions.
    5) Up to five pieces of reviews, brochures, articles, and other supplementary materials may be submitted, if available.
    6) Self-addressed stamped envelope for return of application materials (The DCCA is not responsible for lost or damaged materials.)
    Send complete applications under one cover to:
    Victoria Eastburn, Acting Curator of Education
    Visual Arts Residency Program
    Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts
    200 South Madison Street, Wilmington, DE 19801

    Funding and Benefits
    • Stipend of up to $3000 per month
    • Funds for material and travel costs
    • Living accommodations/studio space
    • Publicity, administrative support, and documentation
    • Inclusion in a residency catalogue
    • Consideration for an exhibition at the DCCA
  • Eligibility and Requirements
    Artists in all visual and interdisciplinary art media involving the visual arts are eligible to apply subject to the following:
    • Artists must be United States citizens
    • Artists are responsible for arranging their own transportation
    • Artists must commit nearly full-time during the residency period
    • Artists enrolled in a degree programare not eligible
    • Finalists must participate in a meeting (in person or on the phone) to further discuss their proposals before final selection


    All application materials must include your name, address, telephone number, and email address, and be received no later thanMay 9, 2007.

    Successful Proposal Pointers
    • Explain your proposal's connection to the theme
    • Fax your proposal to the DCCA for preliminary feedback
    • Send a 9” x 12” SASE with $1.31 postage to receive a copy of a past residency catalogue
  • Contact Victoria Eastburn 302-656-6466, ext. 7120 or veastburn@thedcca.org All application materials must include your name, address, telephone number, and email address, and be received no later thanMay 9, 2007.

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