About Our Long Term Residency Program
SCULPTURE SPACE
LONG-TERM RESIDENCY (LTRZ) 2023-24
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
SECTION 1: INVITATION
Congratulations, you are invited to apply for the SCULPTURE SPACE long-term residency (LTRZ) artist program. This is the second year we will open our doors for a more extended residency experience. You have been selected to apply because in your initial application to SCULPTURE SPACE, you indicated your interest in this program, and your work shows great promise for this program.
We are interested in artists like you, who, through your previously submitted works, have demonstrated artistic excellence, achieved demonstrable professional accomplishment, and displayed exceptional promise.
The LTRZ suits self-directed, motivated, and community-oriented artists with an energetic willingness to make artwork and participate in community life with a genuine interest in gaining sculpting experience.
We will select one LTRZ Artist who will use this extended residency to create new works or complete works in progress. Community engagement is a signature element of this new program.
To learn more about the LTRZ Program and detailed requirements, please carefully read the attached TERMS and PROGRAM Sections.
SECTION 2: TERMS
The following are the defined Terms for the 2023-24 LTRZ Program:
“PROJECT PROPOSAL”: Applicants must create a concise Project Proposal per the application requirements specified in the Program section.
“APPLICATION DUE DATE”: Applicants must submit the Project Proposal to the Contact below no later than 31 April 2023 by close of business (5:00 pm).
“ANNOUNCEMENT DATE”: SCULPTURE SPACE will announce the selected LTRZ Artist for 2023-24 during June 2023.
“PERIOD”: SCULPTURE SPACE will host the LTRZ Artist for a duration of nine (9) months from 1 October 2023 to 30 June 2024.
“STIPEND”: SCULPTURE SPACE will pay the LTRZ Arist nine (9) stipend payments of $700 monthly for the Period, for a total of $6300. (Note: This may be prorated or adjusted based on the LTRZ Artist's actual project proposal and period.)
“REQUIREMENTS”: SCULPTURE SPACE expects, as a minimum, the selected LTRZ Artist to complete the following during the residency:
“ARTIST TALK”: Deliver a public talk on the Artist’s work during the first month of the Period.
“OPEN HOUSES”: Conduct three (3) open studios, one each during the first, sixth, and eighth months of the Period.
“SOLO EXHIBITION”: Present a public exhibition of the work accomplished during the residency. The Solo Exhibition should be completed during the last one and a half months of the Period.
“SERVICE”: Perform five (5) hours a week of service for the entire Period to SCULPTURE SPACE in some mutually agreed upon capacity prior to the start of the Period.
“OTHER”: Please carefully review the PROGRAM Section for additional requirements and expectations.
“CONTACT”: Applicants should address questions and send applications to Tom Montan, Executive Director, tmontan@sculpturespace.org
SECTION 3: PROGRAM
This section provides a description of the LTRZ Program including requirements and expectations.
A. WHAT WE PROVIDE FOR AND EXPECT OF LTRZ ARTISTS:
After our Artist Committee (AC) has selected one LTRZ Artist for the Period, SCULPTURE SPACE will provide the LTRZ Artist with a residential room and access to the Studio usually for a nine month period. The LTRZ Artist will ideally overlap with three (3) standard short-term (i.e., two-month) resident cohorts and have ample networking and social activity opportunities. We can be flexible on this timing depending on the LTRZ Artist's proposed project.
SCULPTURE SPACE will pay the LTRZ Artist a Stipend as specified in the Terms section. In turn, we expect the LTRZ Artist to provide Artist talks, open studios, solo exhibition, and service to SCULPTURE SPACE as further specified in the Requirements (see Terms section). We will promote these events. The LTRZ Artist will have full access (24/7) to the main public Studio space for the Period. However, the LTRZ Artist will not necessarily have full access to a Private Studio but may use one when not in use by standard two-month residents. Openings are most likely during November, December, and January when no regular cohorts of artists are typically in residence.
In addition, the LTRZ Artist will have opportunities to apply for paid non-credit teaching opportunities in the Community Arts program offered by Munson; and the PrattMWP College of Art and Design teaching opportunities. PrattMWP credit course teaching opportunities are contingent on enrollments and LTRZ Artist’s experience and are assigned at the discretion of the Chair and Dean. Courses may include but are not limited to the following areas: Sculpture, Ceramics, 3D Foundation, 2D Foundations, Drawing, Painting, Illustration,Print and Desig Education or Seminar classes. These opportunities are NOT guaranteed. The LTRZ Artist must independently apply to Munson and PrattMWP for employment and participate in a separate hiring process. All decisions are contingent on several factors including school needs and the LTRZ Artist’s skills.
B. WHAT WE ASK OF LTRZ APPLICANTS:
We ask that you submit an application describing your LTRZ project and how it can accomplish significant engagement with the Utica community. Please be clear and succinct in your writing. This Project Proposal cannot exceed 3000 characters and must provide the following content:
Project Narrative: Your application proposal’s project narrative should describe your project and goals in specific detail. For example, highlight why a nine-month residency is essential to your work and process. What are the tools, materials, and techniques you will be exploring? How would you describe your daily art practice? In addition, community engagement is a signature element of this new program. Therefore, please provide details about how you propose to address engagement. Components: for some, a public conversation about your work might be appropriate; for others, it might be a micro-seminar or a master class. Or possibly significant interactions with the community’s arts organizations and our higher education community. SCULPTURE SPACE welcomes other creative methods of engaging the local community and information regarding communication with and buy-in from planned local partners. Finally, as a culmination of this residency, SCULPTURE SPACE intends to have a public exhibition of the work accomplished during the residency.
Project Schedule: Include language that clearly defines timelines and milestones for the project’s development.
Project Budget: Include a detailed project budget with commentary on how you propose to fund expected expenses.
As further described below, the evaluation criteria for proposals prioritize artistic excellence, professional accomplishment, community engagement, feasibility, and impact potential. The application with the Project Proposal is due per the date specified in the Terms section.
As specified in the Terms section, the resident must provide Service, as defined in the Terms section, to SCULPTURE SPACE in some mutually agreed upon capacity prior to the start of the Period. Additional work outside this will be encouraged and supported, but this residency will require living and working on-site and having an art-focused studio intention while here.
C. APPLICATION EVALUATION PROCESS:
SCULPTURE SPACE will typically invite applications from all selected and alternate artists for the standard two-month residency who have indicated their desire to apply for a long term residency.
The AC will evaluate all applications received by the Application Due Date and select two finalist candidates.
The AC will evaluate Applicants’ Project Proposals based on the following criteria:
Artistic excellence: The Applicant's past works should demonstrate a high level of artistic ability, and their project proposal should show the potential for creative and innovative approaches.
Professional accomplishment: The Applicant should have a track record of achieving professional accomplishments in their field, such as exhibitions, publications, awards, or commissions.
Community engagement: The Applicant should have a genuine interest in engaging with the Utica community and proposing a project that can accomplish significant engagement with the community.
Self-motivation: The LTRZ program is suited for self-directed and motivated artists who can work independently and take initiative in their creative work and community engagement.
Feasibility of the project: The proposed project should be feasible to complete within the 9-month residency period and with the resources provided by SCULPTURE SPACE.
Ability to meet program requirements: The Applicant should be able to meet the program requirements, such as delivering a public talk, conducting open studios, presenting a solo exhibition, and performing service to Sculpture Space.
Potential impact: The project proposal should demonstrate the potential for making a significant impact on the Applicant's artistic practice and career, as well as on the Utica community.
During the weeks after the deadline, the AC will schedule 45-minute Zoom interviews with each of the two finalist candidates. The ARC will then convene to make a final decision and select one LTRZ Artist for the Period.
SCULPTURE SPACE will notify the selected LTRZ Artist by the Announcement Date.
D. DISCLAIMERS:
LTRZ Program details are subject to change without notice. Selected LTRZ Artists are required to sign agreements with SCULPTURE SPACE. As part of our thorough selection process, we will conduct background checks for all application finalists. This is a standard procedure to ensure the safety and security of our workplace, all employees, and community. SCULPTURE SPACE does not offer health insurance. Medical coverage and expense is the sole responsibility of visiting LTRZ Artists.