Free Your Mind:
Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning (JCAL) is seeking multidisciplinary artists to showcase original work for “Free Your Mind,” an exhibition conceived and curated by Shenna Vaughn.
Many artists struggle to find the will to create, while they endure circumstances preventing them from seeking resources. This exhibition looks forward to giving these artists the opportunity to break these heavy chains and shackles, transcending the physical and nurturing our mental, and ultimately spiritual, being. We are looking for artists who are willing to go on an adventure past their creative blocks, insecurities, doubts, fears, and struggles, and submit artwork specifically created for the freedom of their mind.
Any idea, any concept, any medium--whether it is abstract, representational, figurative, surreal—if you have a story to tell or special technique to display, it is all welcomed. This is a safe space to celebrate your freedom through display of your art. Give yourself permission to push past your own critique and create from a space of wonder and exploration. Show us who you are, tell your stories, and speak your truth on what it is like to be free! The exhibition will be on display in JCAL’s galleries from July 8, 2023 to September 1, 2023 and is part of our Visual Voices curatorial initiative. Artists selected for this exhibition will each receive a $200 stipend.
About Visual Voices:
Visual Voices, is a cohort of emerging and midcareer curators who will receive, from 2023 to 2025, the fiscal, strategic and institutional support to propose and mount exhibitions in JCAL’s galleries in order to amplify Queens-based BIIPOC (Black, Immigrant, Indigenous, People of Color) artists. Visual Voices curators will identify, cultivate and elevate emerging BIIPOC talent, and produce artist talks, workshops and demonstrations. Visual Voices reflects our leadership’s conviction that a diverse community isn’t defined top-down by a cultural institution, but rather by giving agency and power to a community to define itself.
Eligibility:
· Solo artists only; no collectives or collaborations will be considered;
· NYC-based artists are encouraged to apply; priority is given to Queens based artists.
· Artist has not exhibited at JCAL, either solo or in a group exhibition, since January 1, 2020;
· Artists under 18 may participate with parental or guardian consent, with the minimum age being 13.
JCAL welcomes artists of all races, colors, religions, languages, gender identities, sexual orientations, national origins, ages, disabilities, and socioeconomic and marital statuses. Those who identify as part of underrepresented communities, and whose work centers on the artist’s personal experiences and observations, are especially welcome and encouraged to apply.
Application Materials (PDF or Word Only):
Only one application per artist will be accepted. A completed application must contain elements detailed below. Maximum file size is 100MB per file.
A. Artist Statement
Introduce yourself and your journey as an artist (500 words max).
B. Works for Consideration
Submit up to 5 individual works, that are original to you, as follows:
Up to 2 high-quality images per individual work;
Title, date, medium of work, and dimensions of the work;
Short description of each work (100 words max);
Special exhibition directions, if appropriate, per work (100 words max).
C. Artist CV (optional)
Include a CV if you have one available.
Work will be reviewed based on quality and the completeness of the accompanying application. You may be contacted with follow-up questions regarding the nature of the work and the manner of intended exhibition. Artists are responsible for transporting and collecting all artwork to and from the institution. JCAL reserves the right to not exhibit artwork that does not meet display criteria or does not align with the institution’s mission. Submissions received after June 9th will not be accepted.
You Feel Me?
Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning (JCAL) is seeking multidisciplinary artists to showcase original work for “You Feel Me?,” an exhibition conceived and curated by Juliet James. The show will feature artwork that can be explored through touch. The work can and should move beyond the canvas, adding dimension to the visual experience. Applicants may submit new or preexisting work in any medium including but not limited to painting, drawing, mixed media, collage, sculpture, fiber art, wearable art, furniture design and installation. As this is meant to be an immersive and interactive exhibit, please only submit work that you are comfortable with audiences being able to touch. The exhibition will be on display in JCAL’s galleries from September 15, 2023 to November 4, 2023 and is part of our Visual Voices curatorial initiative. Artists selected for this exhibition will each receive a $200 stipend.
About Visual Voices
Visual Voices, is a cohort of emerging and midcareer curators who will receive, from 2023 to 2025, the fiscal, strategic and institutional support to propose and mount exhibitions in JCAL’s galleries in order to amplify Queens-based BIIPOC (Black, Immigrant, Indigenous, People of Color) artists. Visual Voices curators will identify, cultivate and elevate emerging BIIPOC talent, and produce artist talks, workshops and demonstrations. Visual Voices reflects our leadership’s conviction that a diverse community isn’t defined top-down by a cultural institution, but rather by giving agency and power to a community to define itself.
Eligibility:
· Solo artists only; no collectives or collaborations will be considered;
· Artist must be a current resident of NYC. Special priority given to Queens based artists.
· Artists under 18 may participate with parental or guardian consent, with the minimum age being 13.
JCAL welcomes artists of all races, colors, religions, languages, gender identities, sexual orientations, national origins, ages, disabilities, and socioeconomic and marital statuses. Those who identify as part of underrepresented communities, and whose work centers on the artist’s personal experiences and observations, are especially welcome and encouraged to apply.
Application Materials (PDF or Word Only):
Only one application per artist will be accepted. A completed application must contain elements detailed below. Maximum file size is 100MB per file.
A. Artist Statement
Introduce yourself and your journey as an artist (500 words max).
B. Works for Consideration
Submit up to 5 individual works, that are original to you, as follows:
Up to 2 high-quality images per individual work;
Title, date, medium of work, and dimensions of the work;
Short description of each work (100 words max);
Special exhibition directions, if appropriate, per work (100 words max).
C. Artist CV (optional)
Include a CV if you have one available.
Work will be reviewed based on quality and the completeness of the accompanying application. You may be contacted with follow-up questions regarding the nature of the work and the manner of intended exhibition. Artists are responsible for transporting and collecting all artwork to and from the institution. JCAL reserves the right to not exhibit artwork that does not meet display criteria or does not align with the institution’s mission.
MEET THE PLAYWRIGHT
Deadline: Friday, June 2, 2023, at 5PM
The Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning (JCAL) seeks four new, unpublished, unproduced plays by four grassroots, early-career, and/or emerging playwrights for the Meet the Playwright (MTP) program.
MTP prioritizes writers identifying BIIPOC (Black, Indigenous, Immigrant, and People of Color) that are based in Queens. However, any NYC-based BIIPOC playwright is eligible.
About MTP
Once accepted into MTP, each playwright meets monthly with the MTP's Project Manager and schedules two private readings of the play to take place at JCAL. Throughout their participation in MTP, each playwright is expected to engage fully, professionally, and with integrity in the development of their selected work.
Each month, from November 2023 to February 2024, one of the playwrights will present at least 25 minutes and no more than 35 minutes of an excerpt from their play as a professional staged reading for an audience. The staged reading begins with an introduction to the playwright and play and concludes with a brief moderated Q&A in which the playwright discusses their work.
Each playwright will receive a $2,000 Each playwright selected for MTP will receive a total fee of $2,000. With this fee, each playwright covers the cost of engaging a director, actors, and any other collaborator (e.g., dramaturg, designers) they wish.
One of the four plays will be selected for a full-length production by JCAL in late 2024.
Application & Selection Process
Playwrights may submit 10 pages of one play (only) for consideration by a panel of theatre professionals; a 200-word personal statement; a bio; and a resume (production history, if applicable).
The panel will select a group of semi-finalists who will be asked to send an electronic copy of their complete, full-length scripts. Semi-finalists will be notified by Friday, June 30, 2023.
The panel will choose a group of finalists for interviews with the MTP Project Manager and JCAL Leadership. Interviews will take place during the week of July 17, 2023.
The playwrights selected for MTP will be notified during the week of July 31, 2023.
Application Materials (PDF or Word Only)
A. Script Sample
Please upload a 10-page sample of the script from a full-length play. The pages don't have to come from the beginning of the play, but they must be 10 consecutive pages (the title page and character breakdown do not count toward the 10 pages).
B. Letter of Interest
Please answer the question: "How will MTP further the development of your play and advance your goals as a playwright? in more than 250 words.
C. Bio
Please upload a bio of no more than 250 words. Use the bio to introduce yourself, your goals, writing, accomplishments, and anything else you'd like JCAL to know about you.
D. Playwriting Resume (Production History, If Applicable)
Please upload your professional resume or production history of your work, if applicable.
Contact:
Brenda Jones
meetheplaywright2022@gmail.com
Through a grant from the New York State Council on the Arts, Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning is proud to offer deeply discounted rehearsal space to creative artists throughout the calendar year 2023. In addition to space for rehearsals at both JCAL and the Jamaica Performing Arts Center (JPAC), artists may use spaces for various creative projects, such as film and photo shoots, and more.
Under this program, rehearsal space is priced at $10/hr. Rehearsal space may not be used for auditions, classes, workshops, or showings.
Spaces Offered at JCAL/JPAC
At Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning (161-04 Jamaica Avenue), we offer rehearsal spaces for dance and theater, music practice rooms, visual arts studios (including ceramics and animation), and a 99-seat black-box theater.
At Jamaica Performing Arts Center (153-10 Jamaica Avenue)—housed in the landmark 1858 First Reformed Dutch Church—we offer a 400-seat, multi-functional performance space, a “sky-box” conference room, and multi-purpose rehearsal and performance spaces.
Please answer the questions below, and our Manager of Venue Operations Stephen Pink (spink@jcal.org) will reach out to coordinate.
JCAL Studio Space Dimensions
Studio A - 51.5 ft x 23.7 ft
Studio B - 37.8 ft x 20.5 ft
Studio C - 21.8 ft x 20.9 ft
Studio D - 21.8 ft x 20.9 ft
Studio C & D Combined - 43.6 ft x 20.9 ft
Studio E - 28 ft x 25.8 ft
Studio F - 27 ft x 19 ft
