Cultural literacy – being able to understand the traditions, regular activities and history of a group of people from a given culture.
Wrocław Instutute of Culture in cooperation with KAIR Košice Artist in Residence invites visual or interdisciplinary artists interested in youth artistic education from Slovakia to take part in 4 to 6 week residency in Wrocław, Poland.
Period of the residency: March / April 2025 (4 – 6 weeks)
Applications deadline: January 17th
Results of the open call: January 30th
We are searching for a visual or interdisciplinary artist from Slovakia, who would like to collaborate with Wrocław-based youth and reflect on a theme: cultural literacy. On the one hand, it is the impact of rich regions on developing countries on environmental, economic and political issues. On the other hand, focusing on implementing artistic workshops and collaborate with local community so to understand traditions, regular activities and history of a group of people from a given culture.
The artistic project that we will select through the open call should reflect some of the related issues through the visual art or its overlap into scientific disciplines, sound art, new media or performance:
How does culture shape our identity? How does artistic diversity affect our perceptions of ourselves and others?
How does the media shape our understanding of culture? What are the mechanisms of representation and stereotyping?
How does technology and globalization affect our understanding of Arts? What are the challenges facing artistic education?
Context:
Cultural literacy, or the ability to understand and interpret diverse cultural contexts, is becoming a key issue in a globalizing world. As part of our artist residency, we want to focus on exploring this topic through various media and forms of artistic expression. Since this topic is based on collaboration and exchange of educational practices, we would like to invite artists to consult their working methods and develop an educational methodology that can be implemented in workshops with youth under the guidance of experts.
Residency format:
Only individuals are eligible to apply for the residency.
Length of the residency: from 4 to 6 weeks (depending of artist’s idea)
Workshop activities: The resident will have the opportunity to conduct original workshops for young people to encourage active reflection on contemporary art. Meetings with cultural literacy experts and representatives of local communities will be an integral part of the residency program.
Implementation of one’s own project submitted during the call for art residency connected with the topic: Participants will develop art projects that reflect their reflections on cultural literacy. These works can take various forms: installations, performances, films, or interactive projects.
WHOM DO WE INVITE?
The call is open to visual or interdisciplinary artists from Slovakia. The artist should have an openness to work with youth.
WHAT DO WE PROVIDE?
- residency in Wrocław (Poland) in March/April 2025 (the exact dates will be discussed with the artist)
- accommodation and studio in the center of Wrocław;
- artist fee in the amount of EUR 1000 gross monthly / 1500 gross for 6 weeks (depending on the length of artist’s residency)
- coverage of travel expenses (one time return, most favorable connection) max. EUR 300 in total;
- production budget in the maximum amount of EUR 500 gross;
- production, substantive and promotional support for the project.
WHAT DO WE EXPECT FROM AN ARTIST?
- implementation of workshops for youth
- one individual presentation or workshop during the residency in one of Wrocław Instutite of Culture locations;
- active approach and openness to work with mentors
HOW TO APPLY?
Applications should include following documents and be prepared in English:
- applicant’s CV with basic information (name, address, email, website);
- portfolio with selected works (max. 10 pages);
- cover letter including applicant’s motivation to participate in the residency and the
ideas/ topics working with during the project (max. 1 page)
- The artist should provide certificate of no criminal record from the National Criminal Register
Main goals:
Development of Critical Thinking Skills: Chosen resident will be encouraged to analyze and reinterpret elements of popular culture, traditional culture and the arts. The goal is to develop critical thinking skills and reflect on what it means to be part of the cultural discourse. It is worth adding that the ability to think critically is a competence of the future and it is worth developing your skills in this direction.
Interdisciplinarity: the program will combine different fields of art: visual, performing, literary, as well as new media. Participants will have the opportunity to collaborate with experts in critical education and art research to exchange experiences and ideas.
Leading workshop work with young people: one of the elements of the residency will be the involvement of local communities in artistic activities. Participants will have the opportunity to lead workshops, meetings and discussions, which will help enrich the program with a proactive approach.