Open Call: ADATA AiR artist-in-residence programme (Plovdiv, Bulgaria)
Deadline for submitting applications: May 31, 2018
Residencies: from July 15 to November 30, 2018
I. OVERVIEW
Plovdiv 2019 Foundation launches an artist-in-residence programme – ADATA AiR – in the city of Plovdiv. The residency aims to give a space for a creative exchange that fosters intercultural dialogue and interaction. The platform is open to artists, architects, designers, etc., from Europe to join the special pre-capital-of-culture stage.
During their stay, the residents will have the opportunity to develop new projects and interact with local communities and the complex cultural realities of the city.
ADATA AiR is a project of the Plovdiv 2019 Foundation, realized in partnership with the Goethe-Institute in Bulgaria and the Polish Institute in Sofia.
The focus of the residency programme is the urban landscape of the city. It is basically divided into the following two sections:
• Nature-culture relations within the city: the river passing through the city and a wild island in it and also the city’s seven hills are some of its landmarks.
• Architectural layering: a mixture of styles and epochs, having some remarkable examples of Modernist, Soviet, Bauhaus architecture as well as an intriguing heritage of industrial and religious buildings, and even some illegal community-created structures.
The ADATA AiR programme offers to its residents the opportunity to further develop their projects, after finishing their residency stay. Up to 15 of all residents’ projects will be realized during the following year – in 2019, as part of the official program of Plovdiv – ECOC 2019.
About ADATA
Adata is the name of a river island in Plovdiv (etymology from Turkish – “island”). Used as a picnic area at the beginning of the 20th century and also for growing fruits and vegetables, the island is currently a deserted area, a burden for its owners, serving only for free wood cutting and for different illegal activities. It had long been forgotten by the citizens until the European Capital of Culture turned it into a symbolic area within this program. The island represents not only the geographical spot but rather the state of isolation and alienation that has characterized our society for a long period of time. It was the reason to choose it as an emblem of this AiR program, with the goal of developing artistic interventions, installations, objects, sculptures and site-specific artworks in the public space, thus changing the perception of the island.
About Plovdiv 2019 Foundation
This is the organization responsible for the implementation of the project European Capital of Culture. The initiative aims to revitalize and open up forgotten and dysfunctional spaces in the city using the means of art and culture. The flagship projects of the program include some of the most prominent architectural and monumental achievements from the recent past, as well as the whole river area and the largest river island situated in the heart of the city.
II. CONDITIONS
TIME FRAME
Second Session:
Announcing the Open Call for the 2nd Session: April 15, 2018
Deadline for submitting applications: May 31, 2018
Residencies: from July 15 to November 30, 2018
Duration of a residency: lasting from 2 weeks – as minimum stay, till 2 months – as a maximum stay (depending on the proposal and the committee evaluation).
The schedule of the residency stays will be developed during the end of the project evaluation and final selection, based on the preferable period for each applicant and the vacancies.
PROVIDED FACILITIES
▪ Living space for the residents – private rooms in shared apartments
▪ Shared Studio (allowing at least 2 different artists to work at the same time)
▪ Event space – for screenings, exhibitions, conference/meeting/presentation room
▪ Couches and social areas
▪ Free Internet access
▪ Basic materials and tools
▪ Practical advice for research and production details
All the above-mentioned facilities are free to the residents and are provided by the organizer.
EXPENSES
The organizers will cover:
▪ Travel expenses – for the trip to Plovdiv and back
▪ Living expenses: 560 BGN (approximately 280 EURO) per 2-weeks period per person
All other expenses during the residency stay are the personal responsibility of the residents.
DISCIPLINES AND MEDIA
– Visual arts
– Digital media
– Architecture
– Performance art
– Land art
– Sculpture
– Sound
– Other
WORKING LANGUAGE
English, Bulgarian
EXPECTATIONS FROM THE ARTISTS
After their residency stay all artists-in-residence should propose a fully developed concept for one or more artworks to be produced and presented within the program of Plovdiv European Capital of Culture 2019.
ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES DURING THE RESIDENCY
Artists talks and presentations
Open Studios
Studio visits with local artists and curators
III. APPLICATION PROCESS
WHO CAN APPLY?
This call is open to artists in any stage of their career, preferably based in Europe.
Artists, who are Bulgarian residents or based in Bulgaria are also admitted to apply.
HOW TO APPLY?
Download and fill the Application form:
Application Form_ ADATA AiR
Send your applications only by email to airadata@plovdiv2019.eu with a subject: „ADATA AiR Application: Applicant’s Name”
The email should include:
1. Filled Application form
2. Artist’s CV
3. Portfolio
There is no application fee.
SELECTION
The residents will be selected by a committee according to:
· Artist’s statement and previous work
· Quality of the project proposal in relation to the goals of the Plovdiv ECOC 2019 program
· Potentiality of realizing the project in 2019
Maximum number of residents at one time: 5
NOTIFICATION
Selected artists will be notified approximately 30 days after the deadline. If you need earlier notification, please state it in the email with your application.