OVERVIEW: 

Bailey Contemporary Arts Center (BaCA) is operated by the City of Pompano Beach’s Cultural Affairs Department (PBCAD) which is seeking participants for its Artists in Residence Program (AiR).  As part of this program, eight studios at BaCA are available to individual artists- visual, performative, and theatrical- for a nine-month period from October 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026.

Through this residency, PBCAD strives to cultivate an environment where artists can craft their talents and enhance their experience through artistic development and experimentation.  The residency’s structure is therefore left relatively open to cater to individuality, spontaneity and collaboration.  BaCA should be considered a safe space where all art forms, intellectual and creative pursuits, methods of artistic investigation, and aesthetic inquiry are accepted, nurtured, and celebrated.  A dynamic environment will be created through the AiR Program – one that appeals to onlookers and attracts locals and visitors alike who can watch the creative process unfold and see the latest output. 

BaCA BACKGROUND:

BaCA is located in Pompano Beach’s Old Town neighborhood.  It’s an incubator for artistic innovation and education. Since its inception in 2014, the venue has exhibited the multidisciplinary works of hundreds of leading local, national, and international artists. The historic venue is also a tremendous draw for people looking to enhance their artistic skills and appreciation through workshops, classes, tours, and events. 

BaCA boasts over 6,000 square feet of exhibition space, divided into two galleries on the first floor which can function independently or as part of a collaborative exhibition. The second floor of the venue is the creative home of the AiR Program. The second floor additionally features an open gallery and social area for artistic dialogue, creative collaboration, and events.  BaCA is one of the few spaces in the region that offers two kilns to ceramicists and pottery artists which are available for use by the AiRs and also for classes taught at BaCA.

KEY INFORMATION:

• Eligibility:  Open to U.S. artists working in many different artistic disciplines who are at least 18 years of age and not currently enrolled in an academic program.
• Application Opens:  February 20, 2025
• Application Closes:  March 24, 2025 (11:59pm)
• Application Fee:  $25 per applicant.
• Zoom videoconference:  4:00-5:00pm EST, March 4, 2025.  PBCAD staff will host a Zoom videoconference to answer any questions.  The videoconference will be recorded and made available for prospective AiR respondents unable to participate.  Please click on the following link to sign up for the videoconference: https://zoom.us/meeting/85197558796?meetingMasterEventId=E9bYafS8RymyzLnwkfyE_w
• AiR participation dates:  10/1/25 through 6/30/26 (artists move-ins can occur in September 2025 prior to AiR Program start date)

ELIGIBLE MEDIA:

Eligible artistic disciplines and media include drawing, painting, sculpture, dance, photography, film, video, new media, installation, fiction & nonfiction writing, spoken word/poetry, interdisciplinary, social practice, ceramics, architecture and urban design/placemaking.  Musical disciplines and theater will also be considered although PBCAD cannot accommodate these uses onsite at BaCA.  While digital media is welcomed, artists will need to bring their own equipment as the facility doesn’t offer these resources.

PBCAD is willing to try and accommodate artistic disciplines that do not appear to immediately work at BaCA by exploring the use of other facilities the department operates including two nearby facilities:  the Ali Cultural Arts Center and the Pompano Beach Cultural Center.

Media that produce toxic fumes are not permitted, as well as artwork that involves nonstop continuous loud noise.  Artists using media of a toxic or hazardous nature that do not produce toxic fumes or nonstop continuous loud noise shall follow all applicable laws and regulations. 

WHAT’S OFFERED THROUGH THE RESIDENCY: 

• 24-hour access to affordable studio space.  Studios range from 96 - 196 square feet in size.  A participation fee of $250/month, total of $2,000, will be charged during the residency, although no fee will be charged during the move-in month of September or for the final month in June.  ALL participating artists will pay this amount, regardless of the size of the studio they are assigned. After the conclusion of the 9-month residency, the artists in residence will be reimbursed 30% of their paid participation fee ($600), without including any late fees that had been applied. Artists in residence must complete the full 9-month residency in order to receive the reimbursement. The 30% reimbursement is contingent on the returned condition of the studio space, i.e. no significant damage done to the studio. The studios are not for housing.  Participants in the AiR Program will be responsible for their own housing, transportation, supplies, and other expenses.
• One-time feature as “Artist of the Month” (AoM) during residency with supporting advertising and PR visibility.  Focus will be provided to the artist of the month at the “Old Town Untapped” event outside BaCA that occurs the first Friday of the month which attracts crowds of 1,500+ patrons to a street festival environment with live music, a local DJ, craft beer, food trucks and merchandise vendors. During the AoM’s month, the artist will have a retail window on the first floor of BaCA to showcase their work. The AoM will receive a $500 stipend to use during their month for expenses related to their exhibit, retail window, activation, etc.
• Additional space within BaCA’s 2nd floor gallery will be provided to the AoM during their residency. The space will consist of artwork by all residents in a communal showcase.  Artists are permitted to exhibit their artwork within their studio or may invite guests to their studio to view their artwork.  Any art sales resulting from the City’s exhibitions (including the 2nd floor gallery) shall result in the City retaining thirty percent (30%) of the total from the sale as commission with seventy present (70%) paid to the Artist. Any sales completed inside the resident’s studios will not have a commission taken.
• Additional marketing and public relations support during 9-month residency including artist profile on PBCAD website and support through marketing, advertising and social media. With recent AiR class, PBCAD’s promotional efforts resulted in media placements with PBS TV, Pompano Magazine, Highlights Magazine, and other sources.
• Group exhibition and supporting event with substantial marketing/PR/social media push.
• Professional Development Classes/Opportunities offered multiple times throughout residency. Recent residency offered Grant Workshops in person and via Webinars, Marketing/Branding Classes, 3 Individual Consulting Sessions including evaluations and elevator pitches, Individual Social Media Consulting Sessions, 3 session webinar series presented by Florida Association of Public Art Professionals, and an Intellectual Property Video with Andrew Gerber from the Kushnirsky Gerber Law Firm in New York.
• Additional opportunities for artists to sell their art at different PBCAD events including Green Market Pompano Beach which occurs the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month November – April.
• Use of shared utility sinks in hallways; free WiFi; a breakroom w/ a microwave, refrigerator and coffee maker; a lounge area and a conference room.

BREAKDOWN OF FEES:

• Artist will pay $250 for 8 months = $2,000
• Artist receives 30% of total participation payments (excluding any late fees) after Residency is completed = $600
• Artist receives $500 during AoM to spend on materials for AoM exhibit and retail window
• Artist has opportunity to sell artwork in Studio for no commission.
• Artist has opportunity to sell artwork in the Second Floor Gallery Area, during their AoM, and during the final group exhibition for 70/30 commission cut.

TENTATIVE PROCESS OVERVIEW/TIMELINE:

• February 13, 2025: Artist call issued.
• March  24, 2025: Application deadline.
• March/April: Intake and review of submissions.
• April/May: Interviews with finalists.
• May: Applicants notified of selection into AiR program.
• July through August: Participation agreements signed and move-ins scheduled.
• September: Artist move-in’s occur [no participation fee charged in September].
• October 1: All artists will have moved in; 1st AiR participation fee payment due.
• October 3: Old Town Untapped event/unveiling of 1st Artist of the Month.
• May 1, 2026: Old Town Untapped event/final Artist of the Month showcase.
• June 4, 2026: Vernissage event providing a sneak peek of the final culminating AiR show. This event provides VIP access to leaders in the art, business, and local civic community.
• June 5, 2026: BaCA class graduation celebration/public party introducing the community to the final exhibition which will reveal individual and group projects.
• June 30, 2026: Final exhibition ends and all artists in this AiR cycle must vacate BaCA.

Application Requirements

SELECTION PROCESS & CRITERIA:

• Initial review of submissions by PBCAD staff to ensure completion and eligibility.
• Submissions will be evaluated electronically by a jury which is comprised of knowledgeable and esteemed artists and art professionals.
• The jury evaluates each artist’s past work and their proposed residency project and then selects finalists to be interviewed.  The jury will evaluate submissions according to the following criteria:

Artwork reflects an understanding of, and personal place within, the current art scene, aesthetically and conceptually, as well as a desire to contribute to it.

Artwork clearly reflects and expresses the artist’s conceptual ideas and reveals something about the world, communicating unique perspectives, inviting the viewer to question, discover and explore.

Artwork reflects a strong understanding of presentation, technical skill, and mastery of chosen mediums.

Artist shows commitment to and displays clear ability to produce a comprehensive body of work showing an authentic relationship to the work.

Artist produces original concepts and artwork expanding the use of media and technique.

Finalists will be required to participate in a 30-minute individual interview with PBCAD staff conducted via Zoom videoconference.  At this stage, an applicant should demonstrate:

• A strong interest in being at BaCA while expressing a positive work attitude, professionalism, an interest in working with a community of artists, and a desire to engage with the public.
• An ability to market themselves and to be marketed.

Final selections will be made following the interviews. PBCAD anticipates announcing the 2025-2026 AiR Class in May 2025.

Eligibility Criteria

SELECTION PROCESS & CRITERIA:

Initial review of submissions by PBCAD staff to ensure completion and eligibility.

Submissions will be evaluated electronically by a jury which is comprised of knowledgeable and esteemed artists and art professionals.

The jury evaluates each artist’s past work and their proposed residency project and then selects finalists to be interviewed.  The jury will evaluate submissions according to the following criteria:

• Artwork reflects an understanding of, and personal place within, the current art scene, aesthetically and conceptually, as well as a desire to contribute to it.
• Artwork clearly reflects and expresses the artist’s conceptual ideas and reveals something about the world, communicating unique perspectives, inviting the viewer to question, discover and explore.
• Artwork reflects a strong understanding of presentation, technical skill, and mastery of chosen mediums.
• Artist shows commitment to and displays clear ability to produce a comprehensive body of work showing an authentic relationship to the work.
• Artist produces original concepts and artwork expanding the use of media and technique.

Finalists will be required to participate in a 30-minute individual interview with PBCAD staff conducted via Zoom videoconference.  At this stage, an applicant should demonstrate:

• A strong interest in being at BaCA while expressing a positive work attitude, professionalism, an interest in working with a community of artists, and a desire to engage with the public.
• An ability to market themselves and to be marketed.

Final selections will be made following the interviews. PBCAD anticipates announcing the 2025-2026 AiR Class in May 2025.

WHAT YOU NEED TO APPLY:

Submissions will be uploaded to https://artist.callforentry.org by March  24, 2025. Applications not submitte through CAFÉ will not be accepted. A complete application consists of the following:

• Upload your resume/CV and a minimum of 5 images of you work.
• Tell us about you, your past works, and why you would like to part of this residency.
• Tell us about the residency project you propose to complete while at BaCA
• Share any social media handles, public usernames, personal websites, blogs, vlogs, etc.
• List three references
• Payment of the $25 application fee.