International Artist in Residence Programin Poznań, Poland

www.m-pra.org

About MPRA

MPRA aims to facilitate dialogue, exchange of experience and skills across not only geographical or ethnic boundaries but also transgressing  boundaries of various disciplines of art, culture and science. We believe that this program will allow cross-border collaboration of artists with other artists, curators, cultural workers and scientists from many countries, contribute to the overthrow of the many myths, spread understanding and, in long term development, effects in many innovative projects.

Exchange of ideas and experience between members of Parallax resulted in a unique artistic and educational programme. More information about the activities of Parallax can be found at http://slidesha.re/fZows2. MPRA intends to facilitate such exchanges by organising a network of residence centres in various countries. The programme aims to intensify cooperation between artists, art historians, curators, educators, managers of culture and other professionals from the world of arts at the international level.

HistoryMPRA grew out of experiences of the Parallax Venice – an international organization of artists, curators, managers, and educators from around the world created during 53rd Venice Biennale.

Collaboration

MPRA liaises with local organisations in creating conditions for creative collaboration, exchange of ideas  and opportunity to share skills both through formal education – organized lectures, seminars, workshops as well as via less formal activities – assisting residents in establishing contacts with local representatives of the world of art and science,  and offering direct cultural experience of the place and culture.

Eligibility: Early to mid-career art professionals.- A team composed of two candidates from beyond Poland of which at least one is an artist, critic or art historian, curator, educator, manager - i.e. someone active in the field of visual arts, design, music, literature, theatre and dance. - 2  independent candidates from beyond Poland, each of which is an artist, critic or art historian, curator, educator, manager - i.e. someone active in the field of visual arts, design, music, literature, theatre and dance.

- In exceptional cases, there is the possibility of granting residence to the individual person.

It is important that this was a project of local importance and potential impact on an international scale, which is in relationship with the place of residence. Residents also participate in the programme described below.

What:During their residency residents will work on the project described in their proposal, approved by the MPRA at the time of inviting them to participate in the program.

Location

Poznań ranks among Poland’s oldest cities. Its origins date back to the 10th

century when a settlement established by Poland’s first dynasty of the Piasts became the principal town of the emerging state. It is in Poznań that Poland is believed to have assumed Christianity ushering the country into the mainstream of Western European civilization and culture.

Poznań is situated 3 hours from Berlin or Warsaw, 4 hours from Łódź , 5 hours from Cracow and 8 hours from Prague (by train, bus or car).

For more information about Poznań visit: http://info-poland.buffalo.edu/exhib/poznan/index.html

Today Poznań is a vibrant metropolis, a capital of the Wielkopolska region, a city with the population of nearly 600 thousand inhabitants. A student population of over 130,000 gives Poznań an incredible energy. Splendid monuments of art and architecture, representing a wide variety of styles - from the Roman style to Secession illustrate rich history of the city.

Timeline:

* The October residency will coincide with The Big Draw - a month long celebration of drawing initiated and coordinated by the Campaign for Drawing. Although it is not a requirement we are encouraging applicants to take this into account in their proposals. More details about the Big Draw can be found here: http://www.campaignfordrawing.org/bigdraw/awards.aspx

* In November 2011 our residency will coincide with the 4th edition of NO WOMEN NO ART Festival in Poznań. We are particularly encouraging female artists working in the public realm to send proposals related to the theme of the festival – successful candidate will be offered an opportunity to exhibit at the Festival. More details about the Festival can be found here: http://www.nowomen-noart.pl/en/

MPRA programme starts in October 2011 with 3 monthly residencies (in October, November and December) and then from January 2012 we will offer 3 or 6 months long residencies beginning respectively on the 1st of January, April, July and October 2012 (shorter residencies can be discussed on a per case basis).

Selection ProcessThe artists are selected under recommendations of MPRA Partner Organisations and members of MPRA Advisory Board, such as:

• Natalie Walton, The Hepworth Wakefield, Wakefield, UK http://www.hepworthwakefield.org/

• Simon Wright, Scratch Night Programme, Milton Keynes Gallery, Milton Keynes, UKhttp://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=app_2915120374#!/group.php?gid=233504819890

• James Ó HAodha, Parallax Venice, Dublin, Ireland http://heterotopology.wordpress.com/

• Dr Danièle Perrier, Künstlerhaus Schloß Balmoral, Bad Ems, Germany www.balmoral.de

• Susanna Gyulamiryan, Art & Cultural Studies Laboratory (ACSL), Armenia http://www.acsl.am

• Emma Dean, Milton Keynes Gallery, UK www.mkgallery.org • Dr Sarah Wilson, The Courtauld Institute, London, UK;

http://www.courtauld.ac.uk/people/wilson-sarah.shtml• Magda Moskalewicz, Arteon, Poznań, www.arteon.pl

The program is also open to self-applications, without deadlines.

Highlights of the programme:

1. Welcome Party2. Settling in Poznań 3. Lecture, presentation or See & Talk session, 4. 'Open Studio' event / 'In Conversation with ...' 5. Workshop 6. Final event - Exhibition / Performance / Other 7. Publication of the annual residency catalogue

2. Settling in Poznań

Programme organized by  MPRA staff and volunteers in collaboration with local educational and cultural organisations includes:

- visits to museums and galleries and other cultural institutions

- meetings with students, artists, curators , gallerists and other members of Poznań art scene

3. Lecture, presentation or See & Talk session

during which residents present on their previous works/ professional activities. It is followed by Q&A session. Subsequently a stage is taken over one by one by relevant professionals from Poznan. This exchange of experience is followed by public discussion.

„It was an informal way of learning about the practice of our Biennale colleagues, building new connections and talking through a few ideas. It was an easy going evening and even those who had not prepared to speak talked about their work by the end of the night.” (Parallax)

4. 'Open Studio' event / 'In Conversation with ' - on a residency project

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5. Workshop conducted by a resident (subject, material, age group and form to be agreed)

http://www.campaignfordrawing.net/http://www.dancingbrick.net/workshop/meaning.htmlhttp://www.yew-tree.com/yt_news.phphttp://www.sallybooth.co.uk/workshop.htmlhttp://hannahmaclurecentre.abertay.ac.uk/Cultural_Events.html

6. Final EventExhibition, performance or another showcasing or live event

If possible incorporated into / in relation with a wider programme of local events, such as a festival, biennale, etc.

Expected outcomes:•This project will help to build and sustain links between Poznań and international art community and ad to international appreciation and understanding of the arts in Poznań•Facilitate an exchange of ideas and knowledge between art professionals across disciplines and borders and promote young artists internationally, •Enable a broad audience to participate either through the website or in person as well as encouraging an artistic and intellectual understanding between local residents, and local and international art professionals• Provide local students with a platform for sharing, testing and improving their skills and gaining experience of working in the international cultural organisation