PARE LORENTZ DOCUMENTARY FUND | DEADLINE: APRIL 23, 2012

The Pare Lorentz Documentary Fund will provide annual production grants totaling $75,000 to be used in the creation of original, independent documentary films that illuminate pressing issues in the United States. Grants will be made to up to 5 projects that tell a compelling story and focus on one of Pare Lorentz’s central concerns-the appropriate use of the natural environment, justice for all or the illumination of pressing social problems.

The fund supports full-length documentary films that reflect the spirit and nature of Pare Lorentz’s work, exhibiting objective research, artful storytelling, strong visual style, high production values, artistic writing, outstanding music composition, as well as skillful direction, camerawork and editing. A program of the International Documentary Association, the Pare Lorentz Documentary Fund is made possible by The New York Community Trust.

Website: http://www.documentary.org/parelorentz/apply

PUBLIC JOURNAL

DEADLINE: APRIL 1, 2012 PUBLIC 47/ Parallax: Stereoscopic 3D in Moving Images and Visual Art Publication: Spring 2013 Edited by Janine Marchessault, Dan Adler and Sanja Obradovic The most recent revival of stereoscopic 3D (S3D) moving images, from cinema and television to video games and cell phone applications, signifies a new development in global screen cultures and media technologies. As the stereoscopic technology becomes more available and more studio productions are scheduled for release in S3D format, scholars, artists and industry professionals require a common language for discussing the aesthetics and industry of S3D that goes beyond the current largely technical terminology. Moreover, independent S3D works of art require careful examination in the context of the most recent resurgence of the medium within the mainstream mediascapes. This special issue of PUBLIC will critically analyze the dynamics and significance of the current, past and future developments of S3D. The essays in this issue will explore the aesthetic, economic and cultural implications of using stereoscopic images in the context of contemporary art, media and technology. Interdisciplinary perspectives and artists’ projects are welcome. Potential topics: – hitherto uncharted history of stereoscopic 3D – language and aesthetics of stereoscopic moving images – stereoscopy and new media art – stereo 3D in video game design and environments – case studies of stereoscopic artworks – use of sound in combination with stereoscopic visual content – non-entertainment use of stereoscopic media – stereo 3D military applications, cartography, medical/scientific imaging in artistic practices – artistic projects Proposal deadline (250 words): April 1st, 2012 Text and project deadline (3-6,000 words): July 1st, 2012 Please send proposal, c.v. and bio to: sanjao@yorku.ca Website: http://www.publicjournal.ca

CURATORIAL AIR, GERMANY | DEADLINE: MARCH 31, 2012

Galerie OPEN by Alexandra Rockelmann is proud to present the third edition of the Summer Break project. This two month long curatorial residency program offers emerging art professionals from around the world the opportunity to develop and produce their own exhibition.

Situated in the Kreuzberg neighborhood of Berlin, one of the international contemporary art community’s most dynamic and burgeoning centers for creativity, galerie OPEN by Alexandra Rockelmann is proud to present the third edition of the Summer Break project. This two month long curatorial residency program offers emerging curators from around the world the opportunity to develop and produce their own exhibition. During their residency, participants will expand their professional experience, while acquiring the intellectual and practical skills for curating contemporary art exhibitions. The Summer Break Project not only provides the physical space of galerie OPEN for the educational non-commercial exhibition, but also provides the technical support and critical feedback. Through mentoring participants can fully realize their vision for an original and poignant exhibition.

Eligibility to Apply
o    Applicants must be between the ages of 21-35 at the time of their participation in the Summer Break Project
o    Applicants must have previous experience in the production of at least one public art exhibition or project
o    Applicants must be available to be on location during the entirety of the Summer Break Project 2012 session from the first week in July until the first week in September

Exhibition Proposal Guidelines
o    Applicants must prepare a written proposal no longer than 500 words outlining the conceptual basis for their prospective exhibition
o    Applicants must include a short personal statement no longer than 300 words describing why they wish to participate in the Summer Break project and how this opportunity will contribute to their long term professional goals
o    Applicants must provide their CV (no longer than 2 pages), which should show previous involvement in the production of at least one public art exhibition or project
o    Applicants should understand that their curated exhibition is limited to showcasing artists based in Berlin, however applicants are not required to make contact with artists prior to their submission to the Summer Break project
o    Applicants are welcome to and encouraged to incorporate a range of disciplines (i.e. video installation, performance, photography, painting, drawing, sculpture and digital art) into their project proposals
o    Applicants may include images from previous artistic projects (maximum 10jpegs; each at 800x and 72 dpi)
o    Applicants may apply as individuals or as part of a collective of two
o    Applications need to be proposed / written in English
o    Applicants are required to submit an 11 Euro application fee (to be paid with the submission of their application via PayPal or Bank transfer)

Further Information

In addition to the galerie OPEN exhibition space, the Summer Break project will provide participants with the following:

o    Airfare/travel costs
o    Housing accommodation in walking distance from galerie OPEN during the duration of the Summer Break project
o    Sponsors of the Summer Break project will provide food for the duration of the residency
o    Access to galerie OPEN’s list of contacts as well as the costs of mailing and newsletter publications related to the curated exhibition
o    Sponsors of the Summer Break project will provide drinks for the opening night of the exhibition as well as all related events hosted at galerie OPEN including the invitation only Gala dinner.

Proposals will be reviewed and selected by the following international group of jury committee members (more to be announced):

o    Marek Classen, Founder of Artfacts.net
o    Jeni Fulton, Independent Curator and Art Critic
o Julie Grahame, Editor in Chief, aCurator.com, New York
o    Sandra J. Reed, Professor of Painting, Savannah College of Art & Design
o    Alexandra Rockelmann, owner of galerie OPEN
o    Monica Salazar, Founding Director of BERLIN ART LINK
o    Cristina Sanchez Kozyreva, Editor in Chief, Pipeline Magazine, Hong Kong

The Selection committee meeting will be held at the end of April 2012. The committee will notify the recipient of the Summer Break project residency of their selection no later than the beginning of June 2012.

Website: http://summer.galerie-open.net/home

SOROS FOUNDATION | DEADLINE: MARCH 23, 2012

The Audience Engagement Grant (formerly called the Distribution Grant) supports photographers to take an existing body of work on a social justice or human rights issue and devise an innovative way of using that work as a catalyst for social change. We are interested in well-designed projects that inspire audiences visually and create meaningful interactions with photographic content.

Projects should combine existing bodies of work with programming or tools that give viewers a deeper, more nuanced understanding of issues and empower them to participate in the process of improving their own or others’ realities. Projects should also include a partnership between a photographer and an organization that combines expertise in documentary photography with experience working on the topic or community the project addresses.

Since 2005, the program has supported over forty projects that range in format and purpose. To view a list of previously funded projects, please consult the Grantee List.
What We Provide

Five to eight grants ranging from $5,000-$30,000. Grant funds cannot be used to shoot new imagery. When selected projects closely align with the work of the Open Society Foundations, we will facilitate contact with relevant foundation staff and grantees.
What We’re Looking For

The Applicants
The Audience Engagement Grant supports individuals who are partnering with organizations on collaborative projects. Projects must involve:

Photography Partner whose expertise is in documentary photography; and
Audience Engagement Partner whose expertise is in the topic or community the project addresses.

A third Distribution Partner, whose expertise is in the dissemination or presentation method, may also be included, but is not required.

Each project partner should contribute resources to the project. These contributions may take the form of: content, expertise, services, administrative/logistical support, staff, organizational infrastructure, access, contacts/connections, equipment, space, or funding. Based on the experience of past grantees, we’ve found that the most successful projects engage all project partners equally. Partners should think of themselves as working collaboratively, while also committing a unique skill set to the project.

For examples of possible partners, please view our list of Frequently Asked Questions (available for download below as part of the Application Packet).

The Project
We welcome projects that use an existing body of photographs to advance human rights and social justice issues. We are looking for strong images that are circulated in a way that could spark a change in how viewers think about or support a particular issue or community.

We’d like this grant to stimulate both effective and innovative ideas, so we encourage you to be imaginative when devising ways to use your photography to inspire change. To trigger your thinking, we’ve created a list of Questions to Think About (available for download below as part of the Application Packet).  This document is NOT part of the grant application, but is meant to spark new ideas and fine-tune your thinking.

Previously funded examples include, among others: exhibitions; photography in the public sphere; community-informed, locally-based exhibitions; slideshows & presentations; discussions & workshops; educational tools; visual resources; archives; and new media. For more guidance on what we’re looking for in these categories, please consult the Frequently Asked Questions document (available for download below as part of the Application Packet). See the Grantee List for examples of previously funded projects.

Preference will be given, but not limited, to projects that address issues and geographical areas that concern the Open Society Foundations.

What makes a strong project proposal?
The most effective projects respond to the unique needs and interests of the community they address. They combine compelling documentary photography with creative approaches and thoughtful strategies for presenting the images to that audience. Projects often get more mileage when they include or are timed to coincide with related efforts and programs, such as discussions, events, workshops, activities, or larger advocacy, organizing, or educational campaigns. We are also interested in interactive elements that allow the audience to engage directly with the material. Ideally, projects will be connected to an organization that can sustain interest in the project beyond the timeline of the grant.

The following are not eligible for funding:

Requests to shoot new work
Dated material, unless the purpose is to collect and preserve untold, alternative, or historically significant narratives about a particular community or historical event
Projects whose only goal is to fundraise and/or raise awareness in a general way
Projects that are geared toward “the general public,” and do not identify a primary targeted audience
Exhibitions that serve only the interests of the photographer or the gallery
Book production
Documentary film or video
Lobbying activities

Website:http://www.soros.org/grants

OUTPOST AIR, US | DEADLINE: MARCH 15, 2012

OUTPOST AIR, US | DEADLINE: MARCH 15, 2012
There are no deadlines for this residency program; artists may apply at any time on our website: outpostedit.org.
The Cuts & Burns Residency Program assists artists by eliminating the financial burden of high cost video post-production and  custom programming, and provides them with professional video editors, sound engineers, and programmers who are passionate about contemporary art. Current commercial rates for an editing suite with an editor can cost over $1,000 per day. However, the Residency Program consists of 40 hours of free access to our studio with an
editor.   In addition to editing, we offer color correction,
programming, DVD authoring, advanced graphics, sound mixes, multi-channel editing, and transfers between a variety of video formats.

Starting this past year we have also began assisting artists interested in building custom hardware and software.  Artists who are working on interactive installations, experimenting with video projections, etc. are also encouraged to apply. We also offer lodging to residents if needed. Through Cuts and Burns, we have provided over a hundred residencies.

Website: http://www.outpostedit.org/

PATTERNS LECTURES, AUSTRIA | DEADLINE: MARCH 19, 2012

PATTERNS Lectures has launched a new call to encourage the development of university courses in the fields of art history, cultural studies and cultural sciences. The call addresses lecturers at public universities in Central and South Eastern Europe who share PATTERNS’ areas of interest and are interested in developing new courses that tackle the topics of PATTERNS.

We support course development, study visits, literature purchases, guest lectures, student excursions and publications connected with the courses.

PATTERNS is a transnational programme that aims to research and understand recent cultural history. It commissions and supports contemporary cultural projects in a variety of formats and media.
PATTERNS aims to document, analyse and investigate different aspects of and practices related to the transformation of daily life and culture in Central and South Eastern Europe, while accounting for the pluralities that characterise the region. The initiative focuses on the 1960s and 1970s, as well as on the “transition” period leading up to the present.

We are particularly interested in courses which:
have been recently developed and have not been held before
analytically deal with the period starting from the 1960s up to the present day, including the year of transition in 1989
deal with cultural phenomena before 1989 until today, including aspects of popular, marginal and counterculture
examine interdisciplinary and cross-cultural history in Central and South Eastern Europe
involve critical methodology and innovative and interactive teaching practices

Who we support
The call addresses lecturers at public universities in Central and South Eastern Europe who offer study programmes in the fields of art history, cultural studies and cultural sciences and related fields. Course proposals by external lecturers must be integrated into the framework of a public higher education institution.

Courses should be held in the academic year 2012/13.

Application documents and procedure
All application documents including guidelines are available for download at www.patternslectures.org.

Contact information
If you have any further questions please contact us:
patterns@wus-austria.org

The previous edition of PATTERNS Lectures was successfully completed: 14 courses from 11 countries were implemented at the respective universities and many of these will be continued in the long-term curriculum.

Website: www.patternslectures.org

PUBLIC ART, IRELAND | DEADLINE: MARCH 16, 2012

The Public Art Commissioning Committee of Longford Town Council and Longford County Council wish to commission a site specific public art feature to be erected at Centenary Square Longford.

Artwork Goals
All design proposals submitted should include a facility for the proposed piece to be illuminated at night.

Artwork Location Description
Centenary Square is located at the junction of Main Street, Dublin Street and Chapel Street ( see accompanying photographs and street plans). The site presents certain challenges in that; it is a circumscribed area bisected by a road leading to Chapel Street and all of the utilities ducts and services pipes are located below the surface of the square. This may have a bearing on foundation calculations.

Site History
Centenary Square fronts a bar (Neary’s Bar) that, for generation’s, also included a booking office for the Cunard Shipping Company which is referenced by a painting of the bow of a cruise ship on the front of the building (see accompanying photographs). Generations of Longford emigrants booked their passage to the New World through the office located at this site therefore the Commissioning Committee request that the successful project proposal references this historical fact.

Selection Process
The Adjudication Panel will be composed of elected representatives of Longford Town Council & Longford County Council, a/Director of Services, Longford Town Engineer, Senior Executive Planner Longford County Council County Arts Officer and two visual artists. The following criteria will help to inform the final decision of the Adjudication Panel –
The originality and quality of the idea.

The excellence of track record (or potential) of the commissioned artist.
Demonstrated understanding of the physical, social and cultural context of the work.
Value for money.
Clarity of purpose and planned impact of the proposed piece.

Selection Criteria
All submissions must contain the following details:
– A typed proposal not exceeding 500 words outlining ideas and proposals for the project.
– Sufficient illustrations, models or maquettes for the purpose of communicating scale, proportion, materials, location and aesthetic appearance of the realised proposal. (Bear in mind that this is a single stage commissioning process therefore the more assistance the Adjudication Panel receive in visualising the developed image the stronger the application.)
– Satisfactory evidence of safety, suitability and maintenance requirements, as appropriate.
– Details of physical practicalities of the project, timescale for completion and budget breakdown.
– Up to date curriculum vitae.
– Examples of previous work on CD or DVD only. You may also give details of web sites and Facebook or published materials where examples of your work may be seen.
– Stamped addressed envelop for return of written proposals.
– Completed Application Form

Longford Town Council does not have the physical or secured space for the safe storage of two or three dimensional objects submitted therefore all objects must be retrieved by the artist within ten working days of the notification of the final decision of the adjudicating panel.

Timeline
Site visits will be arranged by appointment on at 2:00pm on both Friday 24th February and Monday 27th February 2012. Visits can be arranged by contacting Longford County Arts Office on 086 8517595.
Completed submissions should be delivered to the reception at Longford County Council, Aras an Chontae, Great Water Street, Longford before 5.00pm Friday 16th March 2012.

Submissions should be marked for the attention of the County Arts Officer and should also state that it relates to “Centenary Square Public Art Commission”

Candidates will be notified of the final decision of the Adjudication committee no later than Friday 30th March 2012 at which point contracts will be executed.

Completion, delivery and installation of the agreed piece no later than Friday 30th August 2012

Artists are NOT allowed to apply in teams.

Budget: $70,000

Website: http://www.longfordcoco.ie/coco_content.aspx?id=24106

GRIN CITY AIR, US | DEADLINE: MARCH 15, 2012

Grin City is located on a 320-acre farm in beautiful east-central Iowa about a mile north of the town of Grinnell. The farm itself is privately owned, but two buildings are leased to Grin City, and the owners allow access to a number of other structures and spaces.  The 2,700-square-foot garden provides produce for resident meals June through October.

Grin City Collective is a brand new approach to art and community. Combining the concept of an artist residency with that of a volunteer corps, it creates a dialogue-rich, socially-driven creative community for everyone, regardless of age, degree, or experience. It seeks creatively-minded people interested in impacting a community through a variety of service projects. It seeks artists striving for a social context in which to place their art. It seeks non-artists committed to service work and looking for a space to explore their creative inclinations.

Grin City is a creative community that focuses on engagement with society and with each other. Built on a belief in interdisciplinary dialogue, Grin City brings together people from all walks of life to foster new types of creative thinking and social commitment. It transforms the traditional institution of “retreat” residencies. It transforms the way artists and social organizers approach creative ideas. It transforms the community.

A B.F.A or M.F.A is not required to join Grin City Collective. What you need is an interest to learn, work collaboratively, and most importantly impact a community.

Technical information:
Available facilities include: ceramics kiln and wheels, wood shop, basic metals shop.
Studio information:

Artists receive individual or communal studio space depending on the program for which they apply. Studios are most accommodating to visual artists and writers, but the campus includes a number of multi-use auxiliary spaces for dance and music.  Studios are semi-private with 3/4 walls and located in a former tofu-factory on the complex.
Accommodation information:

Residents live in a 150-year-old farm house equipped with communal kitchen and bath. Bedrooms are occasionally shared with one other roommate. There are four bathrooms, three showers, and two kitchens available for use. Up to 8 artists can live at Grin City at one time.

Address
P.O. Box 657
Grinnell, IA 50112
United States
Contact info
Telephone: +1 641 236 3203
Email: molly@grinnellarts.org

Website: http://www.grincitycollective.org

GOETHE-INSTITUT CURATOR GRANTS | DEADLINE: MARCH 15, 2012

Research trips for curators from Germany
Since 2008, the Goethe-Institut in Germany has been offering curators who live and work in Germany and wish to pursue a specific research project in the field of international contemporary art the opportunity to apply for a grant towards a research trip abroad.

Aims:
-to assist curators from Germany in expanding their knowledge of international contemporary art
-to enable the forging of stronger links between the art scene in Germany and other countries
-to support exhibition projects on international contemporary art.

Application and selection process:
Grant applications should be submitted BY EMAIL ONLY to the following address:
Mail Symbolweh@goethe.de

Website: http://www.goethe.de/uun/ang/bku/en2933282.htm

PLAND AIR, US | DEADLINE: MARCH 15, 2012

PLAND ushers in a third year of programming and announces an open call for residency applications for the summer of 2012. As winter winds blow through the partially finished Main House and snow drifts against walls made of bottles and adobe, we anticipate summer. 2012 will be another year of hard work, tenacious solutions, and exciting new collaborations. If you are a worker, maker, thinker, or doer who brings self-awareness, experimental processes, and creativity to what you do – and PLAND sparks some ideas for you – then we encourage you to apply to our Residency Program.

PLAND, Practice Liberating Art through Necessary Dislocation, is a multi-disciplinary organization that supports the development of experimental and research-based projects through a variety of on and off-site programs. Headquartered off-the-grid near Tres Piedras, New Mexico, PLAND is a hands-on, exploratory approach to Do-It-Yourself, alternative living.

Residency is the heart and soul of PLAND. Not only does the Residency Program offer time and space to participants, but moreover, it offers the opportunity to deeply consider daily life. What does it mean to reside in a place? What supports or limits a life off-the-grid? What happens when your cell phone loses its charge and the sun goes down and the water supply runs low? Each summer, PLAND offers a number of residency awards to individuals and collaborative groups who apply through an open call process. Residencies span two to four weeks between June and September. Former PLAND residents have proposed specific projects while others have been more process oriented. The most successful residents have a curiosity about land use, alternative living, enjoy building and the outdoors, and are willing to have their experience shaped by wind, weather, and all manner of the unexpected.

Be aware that this is not the residency during which you will make paintings or write novels. For PLAND, residency is about living – living differently and intentionally. It’s about residing in a place. We like to think of residency in the broadest of terms. We do not have studio spaces nor is this residency about working in isolation. Although humble, rugged, and not without its plentiful share of hardship, we offer you the opportunity to get in touch with the basics. Water, shelter, fire, weather, dinner, people, time, and space – all of these elements become the daily luxuries in which you’re invited to indulge.

Website: http://itspland.wordpress.com/