OVADA is offering free space for Oxfordshire artists to take part in a summer Residency Programme in August 2016.
OVADA will select up to 4 artists at any stage of their career, including recent graduates. The programme is only open to visual artists living and/or practicing in Oxfordshire.
The aim of this programme is to provide uninterrupted time and space for the development of new work in a stimulating creative environment. Residencies can be developed around a particular project, used as a way to experiment with new ways of working or to explore working on a larger scale in OVADA’s unique warehouse space.
Eligibility:
The opportunity is open to contemporary visual artists in Oxfordshire demonstrating a serious commitment to their practice. This is a chance for artists to work independently in an alternative space. Priority will be given to creative practitioners who do not have a studio/production space and to those who can maximise usage of the space during the residency period.
The residency will provide time and space for research, experimentation, reflection, dialogue and creative risk-taking. There is no prescribed outcome. Artists can choose to present their work during an open studio day supported by OVADA if it will benefit them however public presentation is not a necessity. The opportunity is solely focused on the development of the artist’s practice rather than a completed artwork.
Practicalities:
Residencies will take place at OVADA warehouse in central Oxford (14A Osney Lane, Oxford OX1 1NJ). The warehouse space will be loosely divided into areas based on individual artist’s needs. Please note that these are open workspaces in view of other residency artists. We anticipate that artists will informally exchange their knowledge and experiences with each other and meet OVADA’s studio artists in order to make new contacts. It is hoped that this process may lead to future collaborations.
Artists will receive £100 towards the cost of their materials at the start of the project, paid upon invoice. If the artist does not complete the residency, they will be required to repay the materials budget in full. Artists will also receive free ZipCar membership if they require a van to transport artwork and materials.
Artists will also have access to a communal kitchenette. They must provide their own materials, equipment and cover their travel costs. Although artists are able to use the car park for loading and unloading there is no parking available at OVADA for the residency artists. OVADA has a bike rack and is within walking distance to many bus routes and Oxford Train Station.
Artists will be given a full briefing at the start of the residency and will be expected to adhere to OVADA’s Health and Safety, and Environmental Policies throughout the duration of the project.
Due to limitations of the building we are not able to accommodate artists using heavy machinery, welding tools or loud equipment. We do not have specialist ventilation equipment and are also unable to accommodate practices involving prolonged use of solvents or aerosols. If you have any specific requirements, please make this clear in your application or contact us to discuss before applying.
We realise the time pressure of other commitments and do not expect daily usage however we would request a minimum 24 hours per week in order for the artists to fully benefit from this opportunity.
Applications:
Please submit the following by email marked ‘Summer Residency’ to: info@ovada.org.uk:
-A brief description about your practice and current/future projects.
(250 words max)
-A statement which answers:
>why you are applying to take part in this residency.
>how the residency would benefit your practice.
>what you would hope to achieve as a personal aim(s).
>what your current studio situation is.
>how would you propose to use your time at OVADA and an estimation of the time that you could commit to the project.
(500 words max)
-Documentation of recent artwork: Attach up to 6 image files (maximum of 1MB each) or preferably, a link to a website or online gallery of work.
-Artist’s CV as an attachment.
-Please also list any specific requirements you may have.
Deadline for applications: 24 July 2016, 6pm.
Artists will be selected based on their suitability, with priority given to those with clear ideas of how they will use the space and how the opportunity will benefit them. Applicants will be informed within 3 days of the given deadline.
Timescale:
Artists will be expected to start the residency in the first week of August 2016 and the project will conclude on 4 September 2016, at the latest.
All work and materials/equipment must be removed from OVADA by this date.
Upon completion of the project, artists will be required to complete a short evaluation form to summarise their residency experience. This can submitted as a video/audio file or described through journal/sketchbook format if preferred.
Equal Opportunities
OVADA does not discriminate against eligible applications on the grounds of gender, sexual orientation, race, nationality, ethnic background, religion, disability or age. Artists are advised to discuss any access requirements with OVADA before applying. They are also welcome to contact OVADA if they require help completing their application or if they need to submit their application in a different format to the one described above.
To discuss your application contact: info@ovada.org.uk.
For information about the warehouse space visit: www.ovada.org.uk/warehouse.
(Terms and Conditions may change at OVADA’s discretion)