RESIDENCY FOR ARTS WORKERS AS ARTISTS
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The Residency for Arts Workers as Artists was launched in August 2010 to provide an unprecedented opportunity: studio space and peer support for practicing artists who also work as arts professionals (administrators, curators, directors, and others). This program honors these individuals' longstanding commitment to supporting fellow artists-- one that necessitates sacrifice of time and flexibility-- with a unique environment to build on their own art practices. Seven residents are selected from nominations based on their outstanding contributions to the art community plus their potential for artistic growth in a shared interactive environment.
Halfway through its third year, the residency has accommodated twenty-one artists working in a range of genres from video and sound to painting, installation, and social practice. In their roles as arts professionals, these artists contribute to the heart of institutions throughout New York City.
Although this is an evolving program, the basic structure is as follows:
• The full cycle of residency takes place over the period of a year.
• Beginning with a two to three-week intensive in August, residents transform EFA’s 3,000 square foot gallery
into an open, collective studio space with 24-hour access.
• Residents participate in a series of activities including presentations, brainstorming sessions, screenings,
related excursions, visits by outside mentors, and peer evaluation.
• Monthly follow-up meetings are held to maintain a creative momentum after the intensive session is
complete.
• At the conclusion of the year, there is a final evaluative retreat followed by a public presentation, which
discusses each resident’s progress and strategies for future creative work.
This residency was conceived of by Michelle Levy, an artist, arts adminstrator, and the Director of the EFA Project Space program at the Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts. Levy, who has worked in the non-profit art field in New York City since 2000, was struck by how little infrastructure was in place to support the creative life of artists who work for organizations. This residency begins to address the issue.
Past residents have represented a number of organizations including Artist Alliance International, Bronx River Art Center, CUE Art Foundation, Eyebeam Art + Technology Center, Flux Factory, Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, The Metropolitan Opera, New York Foundation for the Arts, Residency Unlimited, and Wave Hill.
Participants of the Studio Residency for New York City Arts Workers include
Tova Carlin, Sean Carroll, Paul Clay, Chantel Foretich, Felicity Hogan, Gisela Insuaste, Theresa Marchetta, Douglas Paulson, Sebastien Sanz de Santamaria, Roddy Schrock, Chad Stayrook, Amber Hawk Swanson, David Terry, Beatrice Wolert.
The brand new residents for the 2012/2013 season are:
Jonathan Durham, Abrons Art Center
Francis Estrada, MoMA (Education Department)
Howard Halle, Time Out New York
Elizabeth Hamby, Museum of the City of New York
Jamie Kim, Children's Museum of Manhattan
Naomi Miller, Artadia
Sarah Walko, Triangle Arts