Apply to Art Residency

Deadline – Feb 22nd, 2021
Eligibility –
Artists or Artist Groups residing in Pierce County
Opportunity –
2 residencies: each receives $1500, 4 months access to residency space (660 sq/ft storefront space), and a subsequent 5-month Woolworth window display.   

Summary
Spaceworks is seeking artists or artist groups that reside in Pierce County to participate in an art residency program. This opportunity offers a street level art studio with high visibility, ongoing support from Spaceworks, and culminates with a large display opportunity in the Woolworth Windows.

Program Description
The Spaceworks Art Residency provides temporary space and support for an artist or artist group to create new work and benefit from working in a public setting. In addition, this residency culminates with an opportunity to create a large display directly across the street, in a former Woolworth department store display window. The residency space and the display window sit on adjacent corners of the intersection at 11th & Commerce in downtown Tacoma. During the residency, the creative process will be on full display, as there are large windows facing both streets. This provides a unique opportunity for the public to engage with the artist’s process. Given the recent challenges of a global pandemic, and a racial reckoning occurring throughout the US, Spaceworks sees this residency as an opportunity for community collaboration and public engagement. Applicants are highly encouraged to apply as teams, or include partnerships within the community.

Click here for images/schematics of the residency space
Click here for images/schematics of Woolworth window #1

Selected Participants Must Agree to:
– Commitment to consistently working in space, on a weekly basis. Applicants that express ability to utilize the space on a weekly basis will rank higher. Selected participants will have full 24/7 access, for 4 months, to the 660 sq/ft storefront space that sits on the corner of 11th & Commerce (formerly the 950 Gallery space).
– Offer a form of COVID safe public engagement during the residency (ex. Social media campaign, virtual workshop, virtual performance/lecture, etc.).
– Display the work created during the residency as an art installation directly across the street in a Woolworth building display window. 
– Meet with Spaceworks’ Artscapes Coordinator 3 times for a residency check-in.
– Receive $1,500 for contracted deliverables and receive in-kind support from Spaceworks in the form of consulting and marketing.
– Acquire general liability insurance for the duration of the residency. Participants must have insurance before keys are provided to the space. Spaceworks will provide an additional $250 as an insurance stipend.
– Participants will be brought on as independent contractors. Invoices can be submitted for payment on the following schedule: $750 upon submitting residency proposal and proof of insurance, $500 upon completion of public component, $400 upon completion of Woolworth window installation, $100 upon completion of de-installation of Woolworth window installation.   
– Adhere to Washington state regulations regarding COVID19 while using residency and Woolworth window spaces.

Application Timeline
February 22, 2021 – Application deadline
March 3, 2021 – Selected applicants notified

Residency #1 Timeline
April 1, 2021 – Residency begins (this date is flexible)
August 1, 2021 – Woolworth Window installation complete
August 15, 2021 – Resident artist(s) moves out of space
January 9, 2022 – Woolworth Window installation de-installed

Residency #2 Timeline
September 1, 2021 – Residency begins (this date is flexible)
January 21, 2022 – Woolworth Window installation complete
January 31, 2022 – Resident artist(s) moves out of space
July 1, 2022 – Woolworth Window installation de-installed

Eligibility
Artists or Artist Groups residing in Pierce County.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Diverse people, voices, and perspectives strengthen Spaceworks and Tacoma. We work with our partners to reduce barriers and provide equitable access to creative and economic opportunities. We intentionally build programs and services that reflect the diversity of Tacoma.

Selection Criteria

– Overall quality of past artwork shown in work samples.
– Ability of artist or artist group to execute residency and window installation based on past work samples and written questions.
-Experience or desire to work in the public realm, based on past work samples and written questions.

Selection Panel
Applications are reviewed and voted on by a panel of 5 individuals comprised of two artists, two arts professionals, and one member of the Spaceworks Steering Committee.

The application includes the following required items:

Complete Spaceworks Standard Participant Survey
This survey will ask for the interests and demographics of the primary contact filling out the application (required). This information will not be presented to the selection panel. This information will help Spaceworks understand who we are reaching, and who we are missing. Spaceworks has a commitment across its programs to provide selection panels with pools of applicants that reflect the broad racial and cultural diversity of Tacoma.

– Submit 10 examples of past work
Images of past work, along with brief written image descriptions.

– 2 written questions
1. How many hours per week would someone be working in the space? (300 character limit)
2. During the 4 month residency phase, we would ask you to complete some form of COVID-safe public engagement event. What do you envision this might be? If selected, you would not be required to stick with this answer. We’re just asking for your initial ideas, and inspiration. (300 character limit)

This application is now closed

Questions?
Contact:
Gabriel Brown
Artscapes Coordinator
gabrielb@tacomachamber.org