Create contemporary art and learn Spanish with instruction in BOTH of Arquetopia’s premier spaces in magnificent Puebla and Oaxaca, Mexico. Extendable 3-week terms on 15% Scholarship. Residencies must start during April 2012.
Arquetopia is a nonprofit foundation run entirely by artists. Arquetopia’s programs promote development and social transformation through contemporary art with a non-traditional, culturally diverse and multidisciplinary approach. Arquetopia Oaxaca offers artist residency programs of the highest quality, making its staff available and creating a community among staff and resident artists. Arquetopia's resident artist backgrounds are diverse in all aspects. As part of Arquetopia’s mission is to promote diversity, artists from Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Middle East are especially encouraged to apply.
Puebla, known as the "City of Angels,” is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that lies 136 km (84 mi) from Mexico City and has some 5,000 colonial buildings. Puebla is famous for a deep cultural identity, delicious cuisine, Talavera ceramics, and traditions rooted in the 16th-century Baroque and enriched by a blend of pre-Hispanic, Arabic, Jewish, French and Spanish influences. Accessible via two international airports in Puebla (PBC) and Mexico City (MEX), Puebla lies east of the Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl volcanoes, giving the residents a magnificent view of their snow-topped peaks. At an elevation of 2200 m (7200 ft), Puebla features a temperate subtropical highland climate, resulting in an average of only three days a year seeing temperatures rise above 29°C (84°F).
The San Francisco Chronicle recently named Puebla as one of the top five safest places in Mexico for travelers.
A large, unique three-story Mexican colonial-style house close to Puebla’s historic district and Zócalo accommodates Arquetopia’s offices, residency space, and production spaces.
Oaxaca is a beautiful colonial city nestled in a valley in the Sierra Madre mountain range of Southern Mexico. Oaxaca is located 450 km (280 miles) southeast of Mexico City and reachable via three international airports: Oaxaca (OAX), Puebla (PBC), and Mexico City (MEX). Oaxaca boasts magnificent colonial architecture, the most outstanding example being Santo Domingo church and its former convent, now home to an impressive museum. The unusually colorful city and its surrounding areas also feature a high concentration of native Zapotec and Mixtec cultures and archaeological sites. Oaxaca was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 for its central Historic Monuments Zone and the archaeological site of Monte Alban. Getting around Oaxaca is easy and enjoyable; museums, studios, libraries and landmarks are all in walking distance. At an elevation of 1555 m (5100 ft), Oaxaca features a subtropical climate, resulting in mild-to-warm temperatures year-round.
Arquetopia Oaxaca is located right in the heart of the Historic Monuments Zone. Only two blocks from the popular Calle de Alcalá (a picturesque street known for its restaurants, museums, shops, and nightlife), our spectacular and newly renovated adobe casona is also two blocks from the extraordinary Santo Domingo church and museum.
ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE
The Dual Cultural Exchange Artist Residency offers important professional opportunities for artists, art history students, art historians, curators, and enthusiasts 25 and up. As part of Arquetopia’s mission we promote international experiences in the field of culture by promoting Mexico’s rich and diverse artistic heritage. We are aware that understanding Mexico’s cultural context, and specifically Puebla and Oaxaca’s cultural complexity, is key for a successful cultural exchange.
This residency opportunity revolves around learning Spanish, artistic techniques that are unique or specific to Mexico and/or Puebla and Oaxaca, and planned cultural activities. It is especially designed for those in the early/emerging stages of their careers and interested in devoting three weeks or more to exploring new techniques.
All proposals are welcome. Projects addressing social issues involving the community in the process of creating cutting-edge work with a nontraditional approach on traditional techniques are especially encouraged. Each residency is unique, based on the type of residency and the artist’s proposal. Residents are chosen on the basis of artistic merit and evaluation of the proposed project.
15 hours per week of Spanish language classes (optional for Spanish speakers).
8 hours per week learning a specific artistic technique.
Some examples of techniques offered (but not limited to):
• Talavera ceramics
• Painting
• Natural pigments (grana cochinilla and other pigments)
• Paper (papel amate)
• Printmaking
• Graphic design
• Textiles/weaving
• Gold leaf
• Alebrijes
Cultural activities and excursions:
• Studio visits
• Art museums
• Landmarks
• Local culture and nightlife (folk art markets, flea markets, restaurants, pubs)
Transportation between Puebla and Oaxaca
Residents enjoy spacious, comfortably furnished bedrooms at Arquetopia and Arquetopia Oaxaca (rooms feature main level or loft accommodation) with full-size beds and use of both well-equipped residency spaces including computer access, wireless Internet, lounge with TV/DVD, kitchen, dining room, covered outdoor patio and terrace space, and private bathrooms with modern fixtures, showers, and a hydro-massage tub. Housekeeping, laundry services, and most meals are also included. Artists may opt to stay in only one of the two residency locations for the entire residency if they prefer.
Studio and Materials:
Bright and roomy art studio is provided with personal work space, large tables, access to special facilities, tools, materials and supplies. In cases where a specific technique, space and/or materials are not available for a proposed project, our foundation will work with the artist and community on alternatives that will suit the work. Access to special facilities is also provided depending on the chosen technique.
• Selection decisions are based on artistic work. Candidates at all stages of their careers (emerging and established) must display a demonstrated sense of potential. The residency is for artists who want to advance their work.
• The residency pool is diverse in all aspects.
• The residency program is an opportunity for artists to pursue their own work (especially work that in their particular circumstances would normally be difficult to produce, free from daily pressures; however, there is an optional structure of critical study during the residency, such as studio visits, visiting artists, etc. The residents should work with the visiting artist/critic program.
• The creation of community among fellow artists and staff during the residency period is important.
RESIDENCY TIME PERIOD/TERM OFFERED
This 15% April Scholarship Dual Puebla/Oaxaca Cultural Exchange Artist Residency Term is for 3 weeks (extendable). Residencies must start during April 2012.
RESIDENCY FEE
The fee per person with 15% Scholarship is USD $2036, for 3 weeks (normally USD $2395 without scholarship), extendable at an additional USD $679 per week (normally USD $795 without scholarship). Payment of total residency fee due by bank transfer within 1 week of selection notification.
RESIDENCY APPLICATION PROCESS
Applications for this special residency will be processed immediately on a first-come/first-served basis.
E-mail info@arquetopia.org for application or more information.
APPLICATION DEADLINE FRIDAY, APRIL 6, 2012.
Complete and submit together via e-mail to info@arquetopia.org all of the following:
1. The Arquetopia Artist-in-Residence Program Application (completed by hand and scanned)
2. Resume or curriculum vitae
3. Five sample images of your artistic works and a signed statement attesting that all works are your own
4. Contact info of two professional references
5. Non-refundable application fee of USD $35.00
Via PAYPAL to account address: “fguevara@arquetopia.org” or via international bank transfer (E-mail to request bank transfer account information)
ADDITIONALLY
• Independent jury comprised of three curators and/or practicing artists who reflect independence, diversity in artistic fields, gender, race, etc. and knowledge of Arquetopia Oaxaca's programs meets for in-person panel review and selection.
• Following selection, applicants are notified immediately via e-mail.
Arquetopia on the Web: www.arquetopia.org
Arquetopia on Facebook: www.facebook.com/Arquetopia
Arquetopia Oaxaca on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ArquetopiaOaxaca
Arquetopia Blog: www.arquetopia.com