World of Co Artist Residency Program

WoC Artist Residency 2020:

In 2020 WoC team is looking for project proposals based on creating an awareness of the important issues that the planet is facing, whether it is a social issue, cultural, political  or environmental issue. More specifically, the main focus is to increase awareness on sustainability through art and design projects. The works will aim to show how art can help us deal with the rapidly changing world.

World of Co Artist Residency (WoC) is the first all-year round international artist residency program in Bulgaria. The initiative started in 2017  with the mission to create space for artistic exploration and to introduce international artists to the cultural life of Sofia. So far we welcomed more than 95 artists from all around the world, working in art, film, literature, fashion and other creative disciplines.

Living and working in the beautiful AiR apartment in the city center of Sofia, participating artists dive into friendly, comfortable but experimental atmosphere. By bringing together different areas of practice, WoC generates new artistic processes and fosters creative energy. The Residency is designed for artists at all stages of their careers interested in experimenting with new techniques, developing new work, or focusing on research.

The end of the residency will be celebrated by showcasing the projects in a group exhibition.

Why artist residency in Bulgaria?

Bulgaria is a country in Eastern Europe, with a rich cultural history and blooming contemporary art scene worth to be discovered. Моreover the entangled Orthodox and pre-Christian beliefs and rituals, make it interesting for learning symbols and mythology. The mixture of different influences – Thracian, Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman, Soviet and European, is still visible in the urban structures, architecture, culture, and traditions. As a country in the heart of Balkans it is a great starting point for discovering the neighbouring countries.

Sofia is a vibrant capital, nestled in Vitosha Mountain – nice escape for picnics, hiking or skiing. The city is full of parks and green areas, but also cafés, bars and restaurants where you can try the tasty Balkan cuisine. While exploring independent art  spaces, galleries and museums, you will be surrounded by buildings from the Roman empire, to Art Nouveau, Brutalist communist structures and modern surroundings. If you stay in Sofia it is easy to find art supply stores and printing services on affordable prices. The city is also connected to the rest of the country with buses and trains, if you want to discover the rest of the country.

AiR PROGRAM – PROVIDED ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES

Private room and desk in shared studio space in the AiR apartment,  in the hearth of Sofia
Providing individual discussion about your artistic work with established artist
Providing technical and research support in the implementation of the artists’ projects
Connecting with the local artists through organized studio visits
Curated open studio or group exhibition at the end of the stay
Presenting  and promoting the artists and their projects produced during the residency through World of Co network, website and social media
Group meetings throughout the residency:
First group meeting: Artist talks and goals for residence
Group sharing discussions on progress/issues/problem solving
Gallery show organization, artist statements, bios, invites, set up
Building an effective online presence for artists – tips and advises
Learning the basics of Bulgarian language with World of Co team
Welcome pack and Q&A onboarding session – practical information about your life in Sofia
Selected list with independent art spaces,  institutional art galleries and museums, art supply stores, print shops, hardware shops, bars, restaurants  in Sofia
Curated list of art and culture events happening  in Sofia during your stay
Bulgarian SIM card
Cleaning service

ACCOMMODATION & SHARED STUDIO SPACE

World of Co AiR apartment and studio  ‘’Concept’’ is situated in a 1895-residential building, at a lively main street in the city center of Sofia. Within walking distance are numerous art spaces, galleries, museums, cafes, restaurants, bars, grocery and hardware stores.  “Concept” is 140m² apartment with three fully furnished individual bedrooms with bathroom, fully-equipped  kitchen with utensils, oven, microwave, coffee machine, toster, fridge, laundry machine. The apartment is also equipped with iron, hairdryers and laundry hangers.

The shared studio space is bright shared open space, part of the same apartment, equipped with working tables, chairs, lamps, including Wi-Fi and all utilities (water, heating, electricity).

RESIDENCY PERIODS AND DURATION

Each residency session is two months. If you decide to stay longer, please state it in you application form.

January – February 2020
March – April 2020
May – June 2020

Please note: The residency month starts on the 5th  day of the first month of the residency and ends on approx. 30th day of the final month, to allow for cleaning and preparation of the rooms for the next participants. You will be informed of the exact dates of your residency duration by email.

ELIGIBILITY

This opportunity is open to artists of all ages, at any point in their career. Like visual artists, textile artists, media artists, multidisciplinary artists, photographers, graphic designers, illustrators, animators, fashion designers,  jewellery designers, educators, video / film makers, from all around the world.

Both new projects and projects that are in development but are not yet completed are eligible.  Candidates will be selected based on the strength of their project as well as their ability to deliver, and a demonstration that the residency will be beneficial.

MONTHLY FEE

The monthly program fee is 850 EUR, including all mentioned residency activities and services, group exhibition, accommodation and shared studio space in the center of Sofia and related utility bills.

CONTACTS

E-mail: contact@worldof.co

• Artist-Run
• Independent Association/Foundation

• English

• Months: 2

• Visual Art
• Sculpture
• Ceramics
• Dance
• Theatre
• Performing Arts
• Textile Art
• Music
• Literature

• Shared studio / workplace
• Kitchen
• Internet

• Exhibition space

• Travel
• Production costs
• Food
• Supplies

• No requirements

• Workshops
• Presentation
• Films