Midtown Alliance | 2023 Heart of the Arts Studio Residency | CALL TO ARTISTS

Midtown Alliance is seeking applications from artists with an established practice motivated to utilize this residency to advance his/her/their creative development within the vibrant context of Midtown, Atlanta.

The program provides an 18 month studio term, $2,500 stipend, and high quality presentation of work for view by the public. Through their participation in the program, selected artists will directly engage with Midtown Alliance staff and partners in the service of a core organizational mission to build vibrant public life within the district. Additionally, the program generates opportunities to connect with other artists and Midtown-based arts institutions and arts professionals. This program is an extension of Midtown Alliance’s commitment to support the local arts economy, to provide opportunities to share new talent with the Midtown audience, and to enrich public spaces in Midtown, reinforcing the district’s identity as the Heart of the Arts.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: SUNDAY SEPT 18th 2023 | Applications will only be accepted through CaFE.

HEART OF THE ARTS STUDIO RESIDENCY OVERVIEW:

Midtown Alliance is pleased to announce the continuation of the artist-in-residence program launched in 2021. Applications are now being accepted for the second residency term, which will provide studio residencies at various sites throughout the district. The Heart of the Arts residency program is committed to the continued professional development of practicing Atlanta-based artists and will provide each artist-in-residence with: 18 months of free studio space; a $2,500 stipend; and high quality presentation of work for view by the public. In addition, the program generates opportunities to connect with Midtown-based arts institutions, curators, arts professionals, potential clients and collectors. Residing artists may be engaged by Midtown Alliance and/or partners to commission additional work for the benefit of Midtown’s public spaces.

The ideal candidate for the Heart of the Arts residency program has an established arts practice and is motivated to utilize this residency to advance his/her/their creative development within the vibrant context of Midtown, Atlanta.  The artist-in-residence program is an extension of Midtown Alliance’s commitment to support the local arts economy and to provide opportunities to share new talent with the Midtown audience.  Through their participation in the program, selected artists will directly engage with Midtown Alliance staff and partners in the service of a core organizational mission to build vibrant public life within the district .

Partners for the 2023-24 term include DataBank, Dewberry Foundation, Emory University and Emory University Hospital Midtown. 

RESIDENT COMMITMENTS:

By submitting an application to this program, the artist commits to:

• Being present and active for the duration of the residency cycle. Residents should plan to spend a minimum 10 hours per week working in the studio space. Note: Our goal is to actively program spaces in Midtown, and preference will be given to applicants who can demonstrate an intention to utilize the works space more regularly.
• Participation in public-facing programming, such as open studios, artist talks and lectures for the benefit of community engagement.
• Engaging with Midtown Alliance staff and partners as a creative advisor on projects, programs and selected topics not to exceed 5 hours per month on average.
• Produce new original work for presentation in an ongoing exhibition display onsite.
• Providing a certificate of insurance for a general liability coverage for the awarded space that runs the duration of the residency term.

RESIDENCY BENEFITS: 

Each artist in residence will receive: 

• Convenient access to a studio space in the Heart of Midtown
• A yearly stipend of $2500
• Opportunities to connect with other artists and to be in conversation with visiting curators, arts professionals, potential clients and collectors
• Access to collaborations with planning professionals and civic leaders on innovative solutions for the Midtown district.
• Consideration for upcoming commission opportunities with Midtown Alliance and its partners
• Platforms to share work with new audiences
• Ongoing promotion through Midtown Alliance and partner social media platforms
• Discounts & memberships at Midtown businesses & restaurants

REVIEW PROCESS & TIMELINE:

Jury assessment will take into consideration the overall body of work and its representation of the artist’s vision, commitment, and dedication to a studio practice.  Applications should demonstrate how working in the Midtown District will advance the professional development of the resident artist.

The Midtown Alliance staff works to assemble a diverse group of jurors with a breadth of knowledge, perspectives, and experience to review applications. We encourage jurors and selection committees to actively consider and seek to recommend a diverse pool of applicants as finalists for the program. 

Midtown Alliance acknowledges structural inequities that have excluded individuals and communities from opportunity based on race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, class, age, and geography, and strives to counter those inequities. 

• Sunday, September 18th, 11:59PM EST: deadline to apply
• October/November: public announcement of finalists
• December: orientation
• January 1st: artists move into spaces
• January 2023 - June 2024: residency term

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ABOUT THE MIDTOWN ALLIANCE HEART OF THE ARTS PROGRAM:
Midtown Heart of the Arts is a new program that builds on Midtown Alliance’s existing public art efforts to create a framework that enables more partnerships, more ways to engage artists, and more arts experiences for the Midtown community. For years, we’ve partnered with Midtown’s cultural institutions to feature artwork in public places. Through the Heart of the Arts program, we’re doubling down on this work to realize an even more ambitious vision: a place in which creativity and artistic expression are defining characteristics of the urban experience. That means lowering barriers and making space for creatives to become part of our community; being intentional about how Midtown art investment delivers positive impacts for Atlanta’s wider arts economy; and generating more opportunities for everyday citizens to engage with arts and the creative process.

In 2021, we launched a studio residency program that makes space for arts entrepreneurs to bring their practices and businesses to Midtown. We collaborated with four private property owners to reposition underutilized space as studio workspace. This innovative partnership allowed us to welcome six artists to Midtown and continues to generate public-facing art installations and arts programming for all to enjoy.

Looking ahead, we have big plans to continue to develop this program and to make art an integral part of the daily experience in Midtown. We’ll expand our collective of partners and establish a network of long-term space for artists to work and live. We’ll continue to generate a growing volume of artwork for Midtown’s public spaces and a robust calendar of public programming. And importantly, the presence of artists in our community will enable district-wide conversations about vibrant public life and shared visions for Midtown.

ABOUT MIDTOWN ALLIANCE:

Midtown Alliance is a coalition of Atlanta’s top business and civic leaders and the catalyst for continued growth and development in Midtown, Atlanta. Since 1978, Midtown Alliance has transformed a 1.2-square mile area in the heart of Atlanta into a premier destination for commerce, culture, living, education and leisure, attracting billions of dollars in investment, thousands of new residents and workers and 6 million annual visitors. Visit www.MidtownATL.com for more information about the district.

Guided by a long-range, community driven master plan (Blueprint Midtown), Midtown Alliance has spearheaded an urban renaissance that is now a nationally recognized model of success. Midtown is a vibrant city center inspired by what people and businesses want: a dynamic urban experience that is at once welcoming, walkable, convenient and attractive. Midtown Alliance is a non-profit organization funded in part by the Midtown Improvement District, membership dues and public and private grants. The organization implements a variety of programs and initiatives including streetscape and transportation infrastructure projects, urban design, a 24/7 public safety force, daily maintenance and landscaping, transportation alternatives and special events.

MORE INFO:
website: www.midtownatl.com/arts

email: art@midtownatl.com
 

Application Requirements

ABOUT THE APPLICATION:

In summary, artists are asked to provide:

• artist statement
• bio
• resume/cv
• statement of intent
• professional references
• eight (8) work samples and descriptions
• head shot

HOW TO APPLY TO A CALL FOR ENTRY ON CaFE™    
Go to CallForEntry.org. If this is your first time using CaFE, click Artist Sign Up and complete the free registration form. You must be registered before you can log in and apply to a call for entry.

If you already have a CaFE account, click Login. Existing users may proceed to Login and apply to a call for entry. If you don't remember your password, use the forgot password link.

Applying is a three-stage process. ALL steps must be completed to submit.

• STEP 1: My Portfolio. Upload work samples.
• STEP 2: Apply to Calls. Search calls and apply.
• STEP 3: Checkout. Complete and checkout.

Need help? Visit the CaFE help center.

Eligibility Criteria

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

In order to meet program eligibility for the Midtown Heart of The Arts Residency:

• The artist must reside in the Metro Atlanta region upon acceptance into the program
• The artist must retain residency in the Metro Atlanta region for the entire length of the residency.
• Must identify as a visual artist/creative and showcase a portfolio of work with a serious commitment to an artistic/creative practice. *Please note: we plan to expand the program to include a diverse and wide variety of creative disciplines in subsequent years.
• Must not be enrolled as a student in any degree-granting art program during the residency period
• Must not be enrolled as part of another studio residency program
• Must need a professional workspace to support a studio practice