OPEN CALL FORAPPLICATIONS

FROM CZECH CURATORS

Delfina Foundation (DF) is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to fostering artistic talent and faciliting exchange through residencies and public programmes ranging from workshops to exhibitions, both in the UK and with international partners.

With support from the Arts and Theatre Institute – Artists in Residence Programme and Czech Centre London, DF is offering a six-week residency to a curator with Czech citizenship, living and working in the Czech Republic. The residency period is 8 January to 18 February 2018.

Collecting as Practice

Since 2014, thematic programmes uniquely define DF’s residencies and public programmes. During each thematic programme, DF fosters critical discourse about the arts and civic society through public seminars, screenings, performances, meals, exhibitions and other events. Just as important, DF develops internal events and workshops for participants as well as carefully defined audiences.

Collecting as Practice underpins the current year of DF’s programme with artists, collectors and institutions, who are conceptually and practically expanding the notion of collecting in terms of aesthetics, ethics, conservation, preservation, education and value on an international level. Through residencies, new commissions, and events, the programme poses urgent questions about the philosophy, psychology and politics of collecting.

DF is the first programme to formally host artists and collectors in residence together to explore shared approaches and concerns, and the potential for such practices in the broadest sense.

Over the last year, institutional partners have included Tate, the Victoria & Albert Museum, Autograph ABP and the Horniman Museum & Gardens.

More information on the programme can be found here. DF advises applicants to look at previous events and the work of previous residents to get a sense of how broadly they have explored the theme.

THE SELECTED CURATOR WILL RECEIVE:

  • A six-week residency in London, including one return, economy-class flight, and a living allowance for food/per diems and materials;
  • A single bedroom at DF, which is a shared house with some shared facilities, such as the laundry room, kitchen, and dining room;
  • Opportunities to engage in the art scene in UK through structured and independent time and activities; and
  • Access to a programme of planned group activities and visits to cultural organisations in the UK.

REQUIREMENTS:

  • A Czechcitizen, currently living and working in the Czech Republic;
  • Seeking an opportunity to develop your practice and the concepts ofyour curatorial work;
  • Able to explain how the experience of an international residency may benefit your career development and in particular why an opportunity in London would be beneficial; and
  • Proficient in English

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Applicants are expected to submit:

  • The completed application form in English
  • A CV detailing recent projects, exhibitions, workshops and residencies
  • A writing sample (an essay, artist profile, press article, etc.)
  • At least 8 high-quality images of previous projects, research or exhibitions, which could include unrealised proposals
  • Contact details of one referee

Please submit only electronic copies of the above documents to following email address:

Deadline for applications: 30 October 2017 18.00 GMT

Applicants will be notified of the panel’s decision by early November 2017.

ABOUT DELFINA FOUNDATION

Delfina Foundation (DF) is more than London’s largest international residency programme – it is a home where the next generation of contemporary artists, curators and thinkers are supported and nurtured.

Based in two newly renovated Edwardian houses near Buckingham Palace, DF is an independent, non-profit organisation dedicated to fostering artistic talent and facilitating exchange through residencies and public programmes ranging from workshops to exhibitions, both in the UK and with international partners. A photo tour of our new space was published online in Wallpaper* (please click the link to visit their site).

Established by arts philanthropist Delfina Entrecanales CBE, DF is the successor to Delfina Studio Trust. From 1988 to 2006, Delfina Studio held an unprecedented record for supporting artists through residencies and exhibitions, including more than a dozen Turner Prize nominees such as Mark Wallinger, Jane & Louise Wilson, Tacita Dean, Martin Creed and Glenn Brown as well as renowned artists such as Chantal Joffe, Michael Raedecker, Hangue Yang, EsraErsen, WimDelvoye and Khalil Rabah. DF is proud to build on this history.

Our work is followed by key arts professionals and our audiences include arts patrons, curators, major art collectors and the general public. Over the last year, DF’s work has been featured in the Financial Times, The Independent, New York Times, Art Review, Frieze, ArtAsiaPacific, Artforum and the The Art Newspaper.

ABOUT ARTS AND THEATRE INSTITUTE – ARTISTS RESIDENCY PROGRAMME

Arts and Theatre Institute – Artists in Residence Programme offers and coordinates residencies for artists working in the arts. The programme has run since 2004 and it is designed to promote international collaboration and communication and most of all to provide artists with time and space to engage in creative work and pursue inspiration without interruption. It provides Czech artists with the opportunity to travel abroad, while on the Czech side the Arts Institute in Prague attends to visiting artists accepted into the programme, which includes providing them with local contacts. As an intermediary, the Arts Institute actively seeks partners at home and abroad through long-term contacts, holds competitions for arts residencies abroad, organises workshops for artists from abroad in the Czech Republic, and provides services to the Czech and foreign artists selected to participate in the programme.

Between 2004 and 2014 more than 200 creative residencies were organised in which 176 Czech and foreign artists took part.

ABOUT CZECH CENTRE LONDON

The Czech Centre’s mission is to actively promote the Czech Republic by showcasing Czech culture in the UK. Its programme covers visual and performing arts, film, literature, music, architecture, design and fashion. As well as hosting its own events, the Czech Centre offers support for other groups organising Czech related initiatives in the UK.

The centre also seeks to further enhance cultural relationships between the UK and the Czech Republic through curatorial visits, media tours and artistic residencies.

The Czech Centre London opened in 1993. It is a non-political organisation supported by the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs as part of a worldwide network of 21 Czech Centres operating in 19 countries and on three continents.

CURATORIAL RESIDENCY APPLICATION FORM

Guidance notes:

  1. Please send all attachments in one email, preferably all in PDF format
  2. Please send image files that are high quality but small in size (less than 250KB each is preferable)
  3. Please send a document with captions or descriptions of the submitted examples of your work
  4. Please do not alter this form in any way and complete each section in the relevant boxes adhering to the word count.

1. ABOUT YOU

First name:
Last name:
Any other names you are known by:
Date of birth:
Place of birth:
Sex: (Male/Female/
etc.)
Nationality (as indicated in passport):
Current Address:
Telephone no:
Mobile no:
Email address:
Website address:
Current employer (if relevant):
  1. ABOUT YOUR WORK
  1. Please define your curatorial interest in five keywords:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

B. How would you describe your practice in 50 words?

C. Using your past, present or on-going projects as examples, please tell us more about your curatorial practice and interests. (maximum: 200 words)

3.PROPOSAL

Please provide a description of research that you are currently developing OR would like to develop through the residency. Where possible, please explain connections to Collecting As Practice.(maximum: 250 words)

4.MOTIVATION

A. Have you taken part in an international residency program before? If so, please use the space below to tell us about the programme(s) that you have taken part in and how you hope this residency will add to your previous residency experience(s). (maximum: 200 words)

B.Why does this residency at Delfina Foundation interest you? Please tell us: (a) how this experience may benefit you and your practice at this stage of your career, (b) how you hope to use your time in London, and (c) how you hope to contribute to the residency & public programme. (max: 200 words)

5.REFERENCE

Please list the contact details of one professional contact who can be a reference for you. We do not require a letter but we may ask to speak to this person during the assessment of your application.

Name:
Title:
Address:
Telephone no:
Email address:
Relationship to referee:

6.ADDITIONAL MATERIALS

In one email, applicants are expected to submit. Please name your application, substituting your name below

- A CV detailing recent solo and group exhibitions, workshops and residencies

LastName_FirstName_CV.pdf

- A writing sample (an academic essay, artist profile, publish article, etc.)

LastName_FirstName_writing.pdf

- Images – In one document, please submit at least 8 good quality images of your work and projects, which might be exhibitions you have curated or proposed (but remain unrealised). Although there is no maximum number of images, we advise applicants to only submit relevant materials to reduce the size of email subscriptions. The images should include captions or short descriptions (this can be in a separate file but we highly encourage you to submit all visual materials in one document)

- A completed version of this application form in PDF format. Please name your application, substituting your name below:

LastName_FirstName_Application.pdf

- Videos/films – We recommend providing links to your own website, Vimeo page, youtube page, etc. Please do not send video files. Relevant links to videos:

Please send all materials in one email only and reduce the size of your files accordingly. No email should exceed 6MB.

Submission address:

In the subject line of your email, please write:

LastName_FirstName / Czech Open Call.

Important: Do not include any important information in the body of your email. Only information in your application form and the requested documents will be assessed. Also do not submit more than the three required attachments.

Deadline for applications: 30 October 2017 18.00 GMT

7.CONFIRMATION

I confirm this information to be correct. I have completed the application form and submitted all additional required materials, by email only.

______

Place and date Type or input electronic signature

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