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The Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts Residency for Arts Workers as Artists

History: The Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts launched its Residency for Arts Workers as Artists in August 2010. The intention behind the program was to provide arts professionals (curators, directors, administrators) who are artists in their own right with workspace, peer support, and encouragement to expand on their individual artistic practice. This residency was conceived of by Michelle Levy, an artist, arts administrator, and Director of the EFA Project Space program at the Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts. Levy, who has worked in the non-profit art sector in New York City since 2000, was struck by how little infrastructure there was to support the creative life of artists who put years of dedication towards working at art organizations. The residency honors the longstanding commitment of these individuals to supporting fellow artists, one that necessitates sacrifice of time and flexibility, providing them with a unique environment to further their own artistic undertakings.

Goals:

The Residency is geared towards fostering the creative practice of artists who are prolific in their services to arts institutions. It is essential for these institutions to employ active artists, as they are not only connected to processes and trends but also provide the artist’s voice from within the institution itself. The demanding nature of such positions however, strains these artists and they end up sacrificing somewhere along the way, be it in production, risk-taking, experimentation, self-promotion or with regard to peer feedback. Resultantly, these artists have difficulty accessing the same opportunities as their fellow artists, risking a discouraging situation or an eventual burnout. The residency caters to this need for career development on a more individualistic level, which in turn benefits the organizations of each of the participants and the artistic community as a whole. In addition to jumpstarting creative productivity, the goal of this venture is to build a framework for negotiating between residents’ roles at their respective institutions and their drive to be practicing artists. By helping them achieve balance, artists become part of a network of support that extends beyond their time here, and serves to strengthen the particular demographic they represent, as well as the institutions they work for.

Selection Process: Seven residents are chosen from nominations based on their outstanding contributions to the art community and their potential for artistic growth in a shared interactive environment. Halfway through its second year, the residency has accommodated fourteen 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 play pivotal roles, contributing to the heart of institutions throughout New York City.

The Program:

The Residency for Arts Workers as Artists begins with a three-week intensive studio session at EFA Project Space, followed by a year of monthly meetings. A full cycle spans over the period of one year. Beginning in August, residents transform EFA’s 3,000 square foot gallery into an open, collective studio space with 24-hour access. They participate in a series of activities including presentations, brainstorming sessions, screenings, related excursions, visits by outside mentors and peer evaluations. The regular follow-up meetings ensure a creative momentum is maintained 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 prospective works.

Organizations Represented:

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, Wave Hill, Abrons Art Center, MoMA, Howard Halle, Time Out New York, Museum of the City of New York, Children's Museum of Manhattan, Artadia and Triangle Arts Assosiation.

External Links:

http://www.efanyc.org/residency/

http://artsworkersresidency.tumblr.com/residency

http://www.efanyc.org/ps-blog/2012/6/6/2012-residency-for-arts-workers-as-artists.html

http://www.residencyunlimited.org/opportunites/2011/11/the-elizabeth-foundation-for-the-arts-new-york-deadline-december-16-2011/

http://eyebeam.org/blogs/roddy/new-york-city-arts-workers-studio-residency

http://www.artcritical.com/2010/12/12/art-workers-of-the-world-unite-a-studio-residency-for-arts-administrators/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/residencyunlimited/sets/72157624825097242/

http://www.artistcommunities.org/residencies/elizabeth-foundation-arts