Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning

Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning (JCAL) invites New York City-based visual artists to apply for its Artists Residency and Training Seminar Series (ARTWorks), a Fellowship that focuses on career sustainability. During ARTWorks, six artists will regard their practice as a small business, identify entrepreneurial and professional goals, and generate a long-term plan to accomplish them.

In doing so, ARTWorks Fellows receive the practical knowledge to navigate the aesthetic and socioeconomic complexities and substructures of the New York art world. Through fiscal and technical support, Fellows also develop a true creative vision as they expand their professional network, first through regular meetings of the cohort, then through at least six events in a Seminar Series that explores topics requested by the Fellows, where the following may be welcomed:

· established and emerging artists from Queens, New York City, and nationally.

· curators, conservators, exhibition designers, and researchers.

· MBAs, MFAs, CPAs, managers, and agents;

· gallerists, collectors, academics, and appraisers.

· journalists, editors, and critics.

· observers, supporters, and influencers in NYC contemporary visual arts.

During the program, the ARTWorks Project Manager is both a contact point and a resource. Their role, in part, is to ensure that the Fellowship serves the needs and meets the interests of each artist. Occasions for peer-to-peer, group, and/or one-on-one guidance and feedback are provided.

Members of the 2022 ARTWorks cohort will mentor members in the 2023 cohort. After their own Fellowship is completed, the 2023 cohort would be welcome to mentor future cohorts as well.

Each Fellow in the ARTWorks program receives $5,000, paid out over the course of the program. Fellows are also eligible for free studio space at JCAL. Working through the Project Manager, Fellows may also take a free class at JCAL on a space-available basis.

At the conclusion of ARTWorks, Fellows participate in a group exhibition (with catalog) in JCAL’s Miller and Community galleries.

Program Timeline:

· Applications due Friday, February 17, 2023, 5 pm.

· Selected artists notified via email on Monday, March 20, 2023, 5 pm.

· Contract and supporting materials due Monday, April 3, 2023.

· Announcement of Fellows made public on Monday, April 14, 2023.

· ARTWorks 2023 begins Monday, June 5, 2023.

· ARTWorks 2023 ends Friday, April 26, 2024.

Program Eligibility:

Top priority will be given to Queens-based artists of underrepresented communities. Artists with multidisciplinary practices are welcome to apply—with the understanding that ARTWorks focus on visual artists that work in traditional forms. Applicants must also:

· reside in New York City or Long Island.

· identify as BIIPOC (Black, Immigrant, Indigenous, People of Color).

· demonstrate clarity of concept in their work and strong evidence of craft.

· possess a deep commitment to social practice in their work.

· not have received major exposure via exhibitions, grants, or other residencies.

· not be enrolled full- or part-time in any college degree or certificate program.

· past ARTWorks Fellows are ineligible  

Selection Criteria:

Artists will be evaluated on the strength of their submission (see Application Requirements). Strong preference will be given to Queens-based artists and to those artists who demonstrate an interest in, and commitment to, those issues relevant to under-represented communities of Queens and the greater New York City area.

Fellows will be selected by a jury. As a cultural institution for those of all races, colors, religions, languages, gender identities, sexual orientations, national origins, ages, disabilities, socioeconomic statuses, marital statuses, and all other differences, JCL will prepare submissions for evaluation without obvious identifiers.

Application Requirements

To apply, all of the following must be submitted online to https://jcal.submittable.com/submit.

· Six images (jpeg, pdf, png, tiff only) OR two videos of 3-5 minutes (mp4, mov, wmv, Quicktime only, and no password-protected files will be reviewed).

· One-page description of images or videos, including title, date, dimensions, and medium (for stills) or title, date, duration, B&W/color, and silent or sound (for videos).

· One-page artist statement of no more than 300 words.

· One-page professional reference of no more than 300 words.

· One-page CV with all relevant contact information.

· One paragraph to summarize your expectations of ARTWorks.

All submitted materials, including work samples, must be original to, and the sole property of, the applicant or the application will be disqualified. Applications will not be considered complete, and will not be reviewed, without all required materials submitted.

ARTWorks is funded in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, the Mellon Foundation, and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.