ARQUETOPIA OAXACA - 2012 Emerging Artist Residency (Southern Mexico)

Arquetopia Oaxaca is the newest residency space of Arquetopia, a nonprofit foundation based in Puebla, Mexico and run entirely by artists. Arquetopia’s programs promote development and social transformation through contemporary art with a non-traditional, culturally diverse and multidisciplinary approach. Arquetopia offers artist residency programs of the highest quality, making its staff available and creating a community among staff and resident artists. Arquetopia's resident artist backgrounds are diverse in all aspects. As part of Arquetopia’s mission is to promote diversity, artists from Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Middle East are especially encouraged to apply.

 

OAXACA
Oaxaca is a beautiful colonial city nestled in a valley in the Sierra Madre mountain range of Southern Mexico. Oaxaca is located 450 km (280 miles) southeast of Mexico City and reachable via three international airports: Oaxaca (OAX), Puebla (PBC), and Mexico City (MEX). Oaxaca boasts magnificent colonial architecture, the most outstanding example being Santo Domingo church and its former convent, now home to an impressive museum. The unusually colorful city and its surrounding areas also feature a high concentration of native Zapotec and Mixtec cultures and archaeological sites. Oaxaca was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 for its central Historic Monuments Zone and the archaeological site of Monte Alban. Getting around Oaxaca is easy and enjoyable; museums, studios, libraries and landmarks are all in close walking distance. At an elevation of 1555 m (5100 ft), Oaxaca features a subtropical climate, resulting in mild-to-warm temperatures year-round.

 

Arquetopia Oaxaca is located right in the heart of the Historic Monuments Zone. Only two blocks from the popular Calle de Alcalá (a picturesque street known for its restaurants, museums, shops, and nightlife), our spectacular and newly renovated adobe casona, hosting up to ten artists at a time, is also two blocks from the extraordinary Santo Domingo church and museum.

 

ART PRODUCTION RESIDENCY
ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE
The Art Production Residency offers important professional opportunities for emerging and mid-career national and international contemporary artists age 25 and over. Our programs are oriented to promote social consciousness, and artists are strongly encouraged to address social themes as part of their artistic goals for their residency project. As Arquetopia’s mission is to promote social transformation, understanding Mexico’s context, and specifically Oaxaca’s cultural complexity, is key for a successful cultural exchange. Since our approach is contemporary, we welcome artists from diverse disciplines (painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, installation, performance & time based work, etc.) who are interested in creating work with elements, techniques or processes that are specific to Mexico and/or unique to Oaxaca.

 

All proposals are welcome. Projects addressing social issues involving the community in the process of creating cutting-edge work with a nontraditional approach on traditional techniques will be given priority. Each residency is unique, based on the type of residency and the artist’s proposal. Residents are chosen on the basis of artistic merit and evaluation of the proposed project.

 

Some examples of techniques offered (but not limited to):
• Drawing
• Painting
• Natural pigments (grana cochinilla and other pigments)
• Paper (papel amate)
• Graphic design
• Textiles (telar de cintura, embroidery, weaving, etc.)
• Jewelry
• Sculpture
• Ceramics (loza vidriada, barro bruñido, barro negro de Oaxaca, etc.)
• Wood carving
• Alebrijes
• Ephemeral (including food and other perishable materials)
• Digital media

 

RESIDENCY PROGRAM GUIDELINES
• Selection decisions are based on artistic work. Candidates at all stages of their careers (emerging and established) must display a demonstrated sense of potential. The residency is for artists who want to advance their work.
• The residency pool is diverse in all aspects.
• The residency program is an opportunity for artists to pursue their own work (especially work that in their particular circumstances would normally be difficult to produce, free from daily pressures; however, there is an optional structure of critical study during the residency, such as studio visits, visiting artists, etc. The residents should work with the visiting artist/critic program.
• The creation of community among fellow artists and staff during the residency period is important.

 

ALL-INCLUDED IN ARQUETOPIA OAXACA ARTIST RESIDENCIES
Comfortable Accommodation and Meals:
Residents enjoy large, comfortably furnished bedrooms (rooms feature main level or loft accommodation) with full-size beds and use of Arquetopia Oaxaca’s residency space including computer access, wireless Internet, lounge with TV/DVD, kitchen, dining room, covered outdoor patio, and private bathrooms with modern fixtures and showers. Housekeeping, laundry services, and most meals are also included.
Studio and Materials:
Bright and roomy art studio is provided with personal work space, large tables, access to special facilities, tools, materials and supplies. In cases where a specific technique, space and/or materials are not available for a proposed project, our foundation will work with the artist and community on alternatives that will suit the work. Access to special facilities is also provided depending on the chosen technique.

 

RESIDENCY TIME PERIOD/TERM OFFERED
This Art Production Residency term is for 3 to 8 weeks during 2012.

RESIDENCY FEE
The fee per person is USD $595 per week, with a minimum of 3 weeks.  Once accepted, applicants remit  USD $200 deposit to reserve residency space.  Payment of total residency fee due by bank transfer by 30 days before residency start date.

 

APPLICATION DEADLINE FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012.
Complete and submit together via e-mail to info@arquetopia.org all of the following:
1. The Arquetopia Artist-in-Residence Program Application (completed by hand and scanned)
2. Resume or curriculum vitae
3. Five sample images of your artistic works and a signed statement attesting that all works are your own
4. Contact info of two professional references
5. Non-refundable application fee of USD $35.00
Via PAYPAL to account address: “fguevara@arquetopia.org” or via international bank transfer (E-mail to request bank transfer account information)

 

ADDITIONALLY
• Independent jury comprised of three curators and/or practicing artists who reflect independence, diversity in artistic fields, gender, race, etc. and knowledge of Arquetopia's programs meets for in-person panel review and selection.
• Following selection, applicants are notified immediately via e-mail.

 

Arquetopia on the Web:  www.arquetopia.org

Arquetopia on Facebook:  www.facebook.com/Arquetopia

Arquetopia Oaxaca on Facebook:  www.facebook.com/ArquetopiaOaxaca

Arquetopia Blog:  www.arquetopia.com