Residency Session: January 10–April 6, 2018

Residency Session: May 16–August 10, 2018

Total Artists Selected: 18 (9 artists per residency session)

Deadline: 11:50PM | April 1, 2017

Notifications to all applicants will be made via email on July 1, 2017.

Description:

Selected artists-in-residence enjoy generous sized, private live/work studios complete with kitchen and bathroom. Located in downtown Omaha’s historic Old Market, the Bemis Center's 110,000 square foot facility accommodates a broad range of artistic activity. Artists-in-residence have 24-hour access to extensive installation and production spaces and the Okada Sculpture & Ceramics Facility, a 9,000 square foot industrial space used for large-scale sculpture fabrication. This independently-driven atmosphere and communal environment encourage creative growth and experimentation to confront new challenges. This is a process-based residency; there is no expectation or promise of an exhibition in our first-floor galleries. Residents receive a $750 monthly stipend to help with materials, supplies and living expenses while in residency. An unrestricted $500 travel stipend is also provided.

Artists who are interested in applying to both 2018 open call opportunities (January–April & May–August) will be required to submit a separate application and application fee for each designated session. In the event an artist is selected for both, the artist will be only able to select one session to attend.

History:

Founded in 1981, by artists for artists, the Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts provides a diversity of residency opportunities to work across conceptual, material, performative, and social practices. Bemis facilitates the development of material and intellectual interests; and maintains an alumni program that further extends Bemis support. We offer artists-in-residence unmatched critical and technical guidance, access to assistants and interns, an established network of resources, and opportunities to engage in dialogue with Bemis Center communities.

Eligibility:

Residency opportunities are open to national and international artists 21+ years of age, showing a strong professional working history. A variety of disciplines are accepted including, but not limited to, visual arts, media/new genre, performance, architecture, film/video, literature, interdisciplinary arts, music composition, and choreography.

Bemis alumni are allowed to re-apply for residency after a three-year hiatus from the program. Alumni seeking residency must submit a complete application including recent work samples and current resume. Preference may be given to applicants who have not previously attended.

Students enrolled in an academic program during the time of the residency opportunity are not eligible to apply.

Small collaborative groups are eligible to apply. Please note, if selected, Bemis Center is only able to accommodate two members of a collaborative group to attend the residency and live on-site.

Bemis welcomes internationally based artists to apply. A working knowledge of English is helpful for international artists as an interpreter will not be provided.

Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination and equal opportunity for all persons regardless of race, sex, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and disability. For special needs or questions about accessibility, please contact the Residency Program Manager.

Fees & Stipend:

A $40USD non-refundable application fee is due at the time of application paid via credit card or by PayPal. Submission of applications are only accepted online through https://bemis.slideroom.com/#/Login">http://www.slideroom.com. Artists-in-residence receive a $750 monthly stipend and an additional $500 travel stipend. Bemis Center is not responsible for organizing artist’s travel to Omaha to attend the residency. Additional material supply stipends are not available for residents.

Additional Expectations or Opportunities:

Artists are invited to participate in at least one opportunity for public presentation, such as our monthly lecture series or our public Open Studios.

Application Review Process:

SlideRoom will confirm receipt of your submitted application. Residency applications are reviewed each cycle by a rotating panel represented by arts professionals such as artists, curators, academics, and/or critics. The review process will take 10-12 weeks from the application deadline. Notifications to all applicants will be sent via email after the selection panel has made its final decision.