2020/21 Professional Guest Artist Residency Series

Request for Proposals
2020/21 Professional Guest Artist Residency Series

Art City invites North American based artists to submit proposals to lead art workshops at our studio in 2020/21.

Founded by artist Wanda Koop, Art City is a not-for-profit community art studio based in West Broadway, a culturally diverse and densely populated neighborhood located on Treaty No. 1 Territory in the heart of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

Art City is dedicated to providing people of all ages with innovative and professional art programming, free of charge, featuring guest artists who lead workshops based on their own art practices. Art City’s primary goal is to provide space and tools for anyone who wishes to express themselves creatively, with a focus on underserved children and youth.

Eligibility

The Professional Guest Artist Series is designed for contemporary artists to share their practices in a community context. It is a collaborative process with a high level of engagement by participants of all ages, so workshop content must be appropriate for youth participation.

The majority of Art City participants are from Indigenous and Newcomer backgrounds. Artists and knowledge keepers that self-identify with these groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

Artists must have a demonstrated proficiency in the medium the proposed workshop is based on or must communicate technical support requirements. (i.e. If proposing a video workshop, the artist must know how to use video equipment and editing software or communicate their need for technical support.)

Selection Process

A Jury of Art City staff, Board, and past guest artists select proposals.

Art City also seeks input from our Youth Council, a group of young Art City participants.

All artists will be contacted after the jury has deliberated. Please allow for a period of 6 to 8 weeks after the submission deadline to hear back about the status of your proposal.

Fees/Expenses

Selected guest artists will receive artist fees of $2,140 for a five-day workshop.

Travel (up to $1,000 CDN), accommodations, and a $40/day per diem will be provided for selected non-local guest artists.

Selected guest artists will be required to obtain a Criminal Record Check and Child Abuse Registry Check, or the equivalent in the jurisdiction in which the artist is based, the cost of which is eligible for reimbursement by Art City.

While proposals from pairs or groups of artists will be considered, please note that no additional artist fees are available (i.e. artists must share fees).

All submissions must include the following:

1. Your name, address, e-mail and phone number.
2. A one-page letter of interest, describing:
   • As an artist, why do you want to work with Art City?
   • How will your workshop facilitate a meaningful artistic exchange between you and Art City participants?
   • How will this experience benefit/impact you as an artist?
   • Your availability from April 2020 to March 2021
3. Proposed title and brief description of the workshop.
4. A list of materials/equipment required for the workshop.
5. A brief biography summarizing professional achievements (1 paragraph).
6. CV including professional activity and any past community engagement (maximum 3 pages).
7. Support material list, including title, medium and dimensions.
   • Items 1 – 7 must be submitted in PDF format.
   • Include your initials in the title of each file. Example: AB_letterofinterest.pdf.
8. Support material in digital format following these specifications:Still images:
   .jpg format, 72 dpi resolution
   Recommended minimum size: 300 x 300 pixels, maximum size: 1024 x 768 pixels
   Maximum individual file size: 3 MB
   Labeling: Include your initials, e.g. AB.
   Numbering should correspond with the order on your support material list
   Number the first nine images by placing a zero in front, e.g. 01, 02, 03 etc.
   Include the title of the work and year created, e.g. AB01Title2018Audio:
   .mp3 or m4a format, 192 kbpsVideo:
   .mp4 or .mov format, or video uploaded to VIMEO (vimeo.com)
   Set as a private password protected and downloadable video
   Include the link with the password in your submission

Submission Deadline: Monday, January 6, 2020
Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.

Email proposals to: submissions@artcityinc.com

For further information about Art City and the Professional Guest Artist Series, contact
Artistic Director, Eddie Ayoub at: ad@artcityinc.com

Art City
616 Broadway
Winnipeg, MB
R3C 0W8
artcityinc.com

The Professional Guest Artist Series is proudly supported by the Canada Council for the Arts, Manitoba Arts Council and Wanda Koop’s Art City Angels.

Workshop Information/Frequently Asked Questions

Who attends Art City workshops?
Art City is open to all ages. Most participants are elementary to middle school age children (ages 6 – 14) who live in the West Broadway community. Older youth, adults, and seniors also regularly participate in Art City programs.

How many participants attend each workshop?
An average of 25 participants drop in each workshop, some attending most days, others attending only once, arriving and leaving at different times throughout the evening. Workshop activities should ideally be planned to accommodate both day-by-day and week-long participation.

What is the workshop schedule?
Workshops are scheduled for a one-week period, after school from Monday to Friday. The schedule is as follows:

• 3:00 pm Art City staff, volunteers and guest artists arrive to set up the workshop*
• 3:30 pm Doors open, workshop starts, participants begin to drop in
• 5:30 pm We break from art making to enjoy a healthy meal (dinner)
• 5:45 pm Art making resumes
• 7:30 pm Workshop ends, participants leave, staff, volunteers and guest artists begin clean up
• 8:00 pm Doors close, staff, volunteers and guest artists leave

* To ensure there is sufficient time to prepare the workshop, guest artists and staff often arrange to meet earlier than 3:00 pm, especially at the start of the week.

How big is the Art City studio?
The main studio area measures approximately 27’x 19’ x 11’H. The studio is a versatile space that can be used as a wide-open work area, filled with tables and chairs, or transformed into an immersive installation.

What supplies are on hand?
Art City maintains an inventory of art supplies and owns specialized equipment related to carpentry, ceramics, film photography, digital photography, and digital arts including audio and video equipment and software. A full list of digital equipment can be made available upon request.

Who purchases workshop supplies?
Art City secures supplies in advance of the workshop based on the supply list included in the workshop proposal as well as any meetings or correspondence with the guest artist.

Who books my travel and accommodations? (for artists based outside of Winnipeg)
Art City books travel and accommodations in consultation with guest artists, covering up to a maximum of $1,000 CDN dollars. Art City will ensure travel and accommodations suit any accessibility requirements.

What supports do I have during my workshop?
Selected guest artists will be supported in developing, managing, and facilitating their workshops by the Artistic Director, Studio Manager, staff, and volunteers.

What makes a successful Art City workshop?
Workshops are most successful when:

• They are based on the guest artist’s own art practice
• Can be explained to participants in a concise manner
• Participants enjoy a new experience and learn a new skill or technique
• Participants produce artwork they can share with friends and family
• Participants have the opportunity to work both collaboratively and individually
• Participants see their own culture reflected/celebrated

What if my proposal is not accepted?
Winnipeg artists who are not selected for the Professional Guest Artist Series may be invited to modify their proposal for inclusion in the Community Artist Series.

Can I apply if I work for an art organization or program, but am not engaged in my own art practice?
Representatives from art organizations, businesses, or arts educators who are not currently engaged in their own professional art practice are welcome to contact Art City for other opportunities for collaboration.