FROM A SOCIAL DISTANCE…
Over the past two years part of my practice has been dedicated to building opportunities for artists that test conventions of the art world and make creative experiences more accessible, flexible, and inclusive.
I run two artist residency programs, ALT- (1 week+ commitment) and 24/2 (a 2 day commitment) through this project space, OVERLAND ARTWORKS that are both web-based – meaning they're hosted online and the artist can participate in them from wherever they choose. I created these to see if psychological components (accessibility, accountability, affirmation, attention) of a residency alone can encourage impactful experiences and consider providing credible ways of working for those with limited means.
During this complicated and strange experience we're all going through currently, this model seems especially appropriate as we hunker down, sheltering in place, and are all feeling forced to adapt and work-with-what-we've-got in a time of limited resources, restricted mobility, and global human stress. Shelter is a residency opportunity for creatives of all kinds affected in any form by COVID-19. This may look like an artist having to work from home instead of their shared studio space, a student without resources of their university, an artist/parent taking care of their child while school is closed, a friend unnerved by anxieties, and many other iterations that we are confronting at this time.
Through Shelter, I aim to provide a way to help each other stay propelled, purposeful, and productive whether that looks like a creation of products or an introspective turn inward to focus on these complex feelings. If what you feel you need right now is a structured, resume building work time to keep moving and not fall behind, or on the other side, want to allow yourself the space to sit in emotions and process for a period of time, this residency can be whatever you decide you need as all experiences are valid and upon reflection encourage growth and depth. With your participation, I hope to empower people to embrace however their experience may look, gather evidence of what we can create and consider in times of crisis, and learn how through these struggles we can continue to grow and prosper.
Open to creatives of any kind whose practices are impacted by COVID-19
Participants are automatically accepted upon the completion of the application
Residencies should be at least one full day in length
Once the project period is completed, participants will be asked to submit digital content to likely be shared on the OLAW website and social media in order to complete the residency
For more details about the goals of a web-based artist residency in general, please visit the ALT- Residency page
Putting this project out there is one of the ways I'm trying to adapt my own practice (as a graduate student in an MFA program) to a university shut-down and feelings of lost community, distant support, and a need to validate the desire to sit in my feelings by calling it a residency (while working against capitalistic pressure of carrying on business-as-usual). I'm curious what others in the same situation are up to and believe the community building that comes from sharing the stories of our practices could ward off feelings of isolation.
Please take care and feel as at ease as can be.
Grace Clark // OLAW Founder
Are you a brick and mortar residency institution that is put on hold due to COVID-19?
OLAW is currently accepting partnerships to develop institution specific web-based residency programs to keep your mission moving forward. Please email Grace Clark at overlandartworks@gmail.com for more information and include how you heard of OVERLAND ARTWORKS.
SHELTER RESIDENTS
More residents are currently in the middle of their residencies! Check for updates regularly and sign up for the newsletter to receive an occasional summary.
