“SCIENCE INSPIRES ART: Biodiversity/Extinction”

the 17th international art-sci juried exhibition organized by Art & Science Collaborations, Inc.(ASCI)

October 10, 2015 – February 28, 2016 at the New York Hall of Science

www.nysci.org

Today we are learning the importance of the conservation of Earth’s biodiversity for more than its innate beauty, capacity to inspire art, and to lift our spirits. It is acknowledged by scientists and even governments around the world, as the key indicator of the health of our planet’s ecosystems. And, a rich biodiversity underpins ecosystem “services” (such as recycling of nutrients, purifying water, removing carbon dioxide and adding oxygen to our atmosphere, and sustaining habitat for animals and organisms like trees, and seeds that produce food), all essential for human sustainability on our beautiful planet.

This exhibition will demonstrate the wide diversity of visual tropes that today’s artists are employing to reflect upon the crisis of biodiversity loss and species extinction. We are seeking 2D images of original art executed in any media.

OUR DISTINGUISHED CO-CURORS:

Elizabeth Corr, the Manager of Art Partnerships at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), and Dr. Paula J. Ehrlich, the President & CEO of the E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation.

DETAILS:  http://www.asci.org/artikel1417.html

DEADLINE:   August 23, 2015

“My time at Playa ranks as one of the most productive and artistically rewarding periods of my life. 

Whatever happened to me on my walks, in my conversations with staff and fellow cohorts, in my daily exposure to the natural world and its elements—it has led to a complete and utter rediscovery of how I write, why I write, and help me tap back into a creative force as a playwright that I haven’t felt in 10 years.”  Kevin Doyle (2014)

Applications are now open for Spring 2016 Residencies.

Deadline is September 1, 2015

RESIDENCY GUIDELINES

Collaboration

If applying as a collaborative team, please have one person listed as the main applicant. As a collaborative team you MUST include the following in your statement of project: group name (if applicable), a list of all participating members, and your specific needs for lodging and workspace. In addition, each member must supply an individual resume as part of the group application.

Couples

Couples may apply individually for concurrent residencies, with the understanding that one applicant might be accepted and the other not. Every artist accepted for a residency will be offered a private studio unless applying as a collaborative team. If requesting accommodations as a couple, each applicant must state this explicitly on their application.

Work Sample Requirements

All Disciplines

Current work is requested. The nature of the work sample submitted should correspond to the nature of the work you propose to do while in residence. An applicant’s work sample is the most significant feature of the application. Unless work is interdisciplinary, each applicant is encouraged to apply in a primary creative discipline and submit a work sample and statement of project which emphasizes this single discipline.

Visual Art

Provide 10-15 images in JPEG format along with a document that contains your name, and lists the JPEG filename, title, medium, size and year of completion for each image. JPEG files should be at least 800×600 pixels and formatted to 72dpi. NO TIFF OR PSD FILES ACCEPTED. Each filename must be numbered and correspond to the accompanying work-sample description document.

Writing

Your writing sample should be representative of the genre in which you plan to work while in residence. Provide one document that contains a sample as follows:

• Fiction: 20 pages of a novel excerpt, a story, or short stories.
• Poetry: 10 pages of poetry.
• Nonfiction: 20 pages of nonfiction.
• Playwriting: one complete play.
• Screen writing: one complete screenplay.

Include in this document a cover page that contains the applicant’s name, and lists the title and date of completion for each sample.

Performance/Film

Provide three separate works of 10 – 15 minutes each in audio or video format along with one document that lists the filename, title, and year of completion for each work, and that clearly summarizes the applicant’s role on the work. Film/video scriptwriters should also send a script.

Scientist/Naturalist/Creative Research

Provide one document that contains up to 10 pages of abstracts, excerpts, links to publications or short papers that are representative of your work. Include in this document a cover page that contains your name, lists the title and date of completion for each work, and a description of your area of research.

Other

If your project does not fall clearly within one of the above disciplines, please send an email to the Residency Manager at info@playasummerlake.org to discuss an appropriate work sample.

About the process

I know there is a bit of confusion, mystery or even skepticism surrounding the application/selection process. Who makes these choices? Why didn’t they see the value of MY project? Are only established artists chosen? I will attempt to clarify what really goes on for those of you who are curious about the decision making process at PLAYA.

1. Applicants, whether individuals or collaborative teams, submit materials online through Submittable, an online platform that allows a panel of professionals (from different locations across the country) access to multiple applicant’s work samples, resumes, project statements and other support materials.
2. The panel (whose membership rotates every two years) is made up of diverse professionals in a variety of fields and each applicant is reviewed by multiple members. It’s a difficult but incredibly rewarding process. The selection panel has to examine large numbers of work samples consisting of portfolios (of approximately 10 images each) and/or manuscripts and videos, as well as reading through in depth artist statements, explore an applicant’s history of accomplishments on resumes, and….read project proposals which contain each applicant’s aspirations of how time at Playa might influence their work or lives.
3. A scoring rubric is used (although nothing is ideal) which helps when considering an applicant’s previous work, the project proposal, the benefits a residency at Playa might provide and more.
4. Once these applications are scored independently, recommendations made and forwarded to me, I tally all votes and compile a prioritized list. I then begin the task of assigning individuals into living spaces and additional studios, within the spring calendar considering their first choices for dates, length of stay and studio requirements. So there is a great deal of unforeseen “chance” built into the process in regards to number and quality of applicant pool, studio needs, and availability.
5. Then the notifications begin. Meanwhile things have come up in real life for many of these applicants and occasionally some have to decline or shift dates, and then we move on down the list, which is why everyone doesn’t hear the results at the same time.

I hope this alleviates at least a little of the anxiety for applicants around this process. The process is not perfect, but we do the best we can. It’s PLAYA’s mission to support a variety of creative research, not discourage it. We understand that it can be very hard to take anything that might seem like rejection lightly. But sometimes, considering all aspects of the process might shed light on the reasons an applicant wasn’t selected at this time… competition could be very stiff (very strong applicant pool), or you might need a little practice in articulating what you hope to achieve, or maybe just a little more experience in your art practice…. or maybe you requested the most popular time period…but don’t give up.

PLEASE READ
NEW Policy affecting residents of Playa:

Following is information regarding Playa’s policy for site specific artworks, installations or other processes on the grounds that might affect the environment, habitats or other species. If your work at PLAYA includes any processes that may result in changes (immediate or long-term) to the visual, physical or aesthetic environment of PLAYA, you must first receive prior approval from the Executive Director. Activities include, but are not limited to relocating earth (rocks, sand or other), cutting or removal of plants, and/or using technology that might adversely affect biotic species (or the tranquility of the Playa experience).

In recognition of the significance and outstanding beauty of the Blue Mountains World Heritage Area, the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre will launch The World Heritage Artists in Residence Program in June 2015. This program consists of a 6-week artist residency for one artist at Bilpin international ground for Creative initiatives, sponsored by the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre, to create a new body of work in response to the World Heritage Area followed by an exhibition at the Blue Mountains City Art Gallery. Emerging, mid-career and established visual artists working in any medium from Australia and overseas are encouraged to apply.

The aim of the program is to support excellence and innovation in the development of new work and to facilitate professional development opportunities for emerging, mid-career and established artists in a nurturing environment. The residency encourages artists to draw inspiration from one of the world’s most environmentally and historically significant locations – The Blue Mountains World Heritage Area. The Blue Mountains have always been of inspiration for many well known artists, who produced works which are now held in Australia’s most significant galleries and collections. The

World Heritage Artist in Residency Program provides a platform for artists to create new, quality work, to preserve and interpret the history of the Blue Mountains, to educate current and future generations and to continue the great legacy of artists who have been inspired by the Blue Mountains. Artists are required to submit a concept proposal in their application form, outlining what they are planning to produce for the exhibition at the Blue Mountains City Art Gallery.

The selected artist will be supported along the way by expert staff including the BigCi Residency Team, led by Artistic Director Rae Bolotin and the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre Exhibition Team to ensure their time during the residency is as inspiring and productive as possible.

For more information please email Sabrina Roesner, Exhibitions Manager at sroesner@bmcc.nsw.gov.au

DOWNLOAD THE APPLICATION FORM & GUIDELINES HERE

KEY DATES & CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

Call for Submissions
1 June – 24 July 2015
Application Form and Guidelines will be available online from 1 June 2015.

Successful artist to be announced
Monday 17 August

Residency Dates (not flexible)
17 February – 29 March 2016

Exhibition Dates
30 July – 11 September 2016

ABOUT BigCi – Bilpin international ground for Creative initiatives

BigCi, located in Bilpin, Blue Mountains, is an independent, artist run,  not for profit artist residency. BigCi provides a ground for the professional development of artists from various fields, such as the Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Literature, Music, Photography, Film, and Hybrid Arts. Artists undertake BigCi residencies to develop ideas, create new work or to deepen their existing art practice. BigCi is a large 8-acre property, right on the doorstep of Wollemi National Park, in the World Heritage listed Greater Blue Mountains, about one and a half hours drive from Sydney. Located along the dramatic Botanists Way, BigCi is within easy reach by car from the world famous Blue Mountains National Park and the stunning Gardens of Stone National Park.

Top Image: BEN PEARSE Moody Blue 2014, image courtesy the artist

Environmentally Responsible Print Practice Exhibition
McMaster Museum of Art

Deadline: August 7, 2015

Eligibility: This exhibition is open to USA and Canadian artists exploring print processes that promote safe practice and environmentally responsible options in print media. Accepted formats include: 2 and 3-dimensional works, book works, digital and installation-based work. Exhibition fees are paid to selected artists.

The exhibition commences in January 2016 at the McMaster Museum of Art, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada.

On Friday February 26, 2016 McMaster University will host an Environmentally Responsible Print Practice Symposium in the newly renovated Studio Art Facility followed by a Public Reception for this exhibition at the Museum.

The Environmentally Responsible Print Practice Exhibition is intended to gather and showcase print artists who are seeking alternative processes, materials and approaches in order to lighten the footprint of their practice and pursue safer studio options. This might include an exploration of new technologies and products or a revival of older pre-chemical approaches. Elimination of Volatile Organic Compounds and acids, utilization of biodegradable chemicals, DIY practices, adoption of AP approved products might be examples of a paradigm shift in the discipline. General awareness of how products are made, where they come from and how they are disposed of might also be considered. Artists are also invited to explore concepts that embrace sustainability (although this is not a requirement).

This exhibition is intended to gauge where we are and promote an open sharing of successes demonstrating that we can reduce hazards and environmental impacts without a sacrifice in quality of work.

Enter: Download submission information and entry forms (pdf)

or Contact: Judy Major-Girardin, McMaster School of the Arts,girardin@mcmaster.ca for more information.

About the McMaster Museum of Art
Established in 1967, McMaster Museum of Art (MMA) is a public, non-profit, university-affiliated gallery situated in the heart of McMaster University campus. The MMA, which houses the University’s internationally recognized collection of approximately 6000 art objects and antiquities, presents exhibitions and provides public programs through scholarly research and interpretation.

MCMASTER MUSEUM OF ART
Alvin A. Lee Building
McMaster University
1280 Main St W
Hamilton, ON L8S 4L6
905.525.9140 x.23241

Admission is Free
Museum hours: Tue/Wed/Fri 11am-5pm, Thu 11-7, Sat 12-5

museum@mcmaster.ca
http://museum.mcmaster.ca

Saving Endangered Species Int’l Playwriting Prize is pleased to announce that the 2016 Staged Readings of the winning plays will be performed to benefit The Jane Goodall Institute, and that all proceeds from the production will be donated to The Jane Goodall Institute.

The Jane Goodall Institute was founded by renowned primatologist Jane Goodall, and is a global nonprofit that empowers people to make a difference for all living things through research, public education and advocacy:

• To improve global understanding and treatment of great apes;
• To contribute to the preservation of great apes and their habitats; and
• To create a worldwide network of young people who have learned to care deeply for their human community, for all animals and for the environment, and who will take responsible action to care for them.

The SES Prize deadline is November 30th, so if you haven’t submitted a script yet, please put pen to paper, or fingers to keys, and write us a fantastic play!  www.sesprize.com