Open Call for Artists Residency in the Framework of the Project (In)Visible Traces: Artistic Memories of the Cold War

Open Call for Artists

Residency in the Framework of the Project (In)Visible Traces: Artistic Memories of the Cold War

Is your artistic practice engaging with and exploring the cultural heritage and artistic narratives of the Cold War?

BLOCKFREI, in collaboration with STUDIO DAS WEISSE HAUS, is excited to announce an Open Call for one artistic residency as part of the Creative Europe project (In)Visible Traces: Artistic Memories of the Cold War.

About the Residency

One selected artist will have the unique opportunity to engage in a 1-month residency in Vienna during February 2025. This residency will provide the artist with the chance to:

Dedicate time to investigate the Cold War’s cultural heritage and its local impact.
Visit historical sites, museums, and exhibitions related to the topic.
Build professional networks with local and international art communities.
Create a new artwork inspired by the project’s themes.

The residency will culminate in a public presentation showcasing the artist's practice and the artwork developed during the program, engaging art professionals, researchers, and the broader public. This event will be promoted through an online campaign.

Covered Costs

Travel Costs: return ticket, in the amount up to 275 EUR (brutto).
Accommodation in Vienna will be provided for the one-month residency period (February 2025).
Stipend: 800 EUR (brutto).
Artwork Production: in the amount up to 500 EUR (brutto).
Artist Fee: 500 EUR (brutto) for artwork creation.

Eligibility

Open to artists from *Creative Europe-eligible countries as well as Ukrainian artists residing outside Austria.
Applicants must demonstrate a proven interest in the project’s themes.
During the residency, artist should be willing to host a *workshop for youth.
The selected artist will arrange their own medical insurance for the residency period and provide proof of valid health insurance.
Artists from all ethnic or social backgrounds, genders, sexual orientations, religions, and age groups are encouraged to apply.

*Workshop for Youth

As part of the residency, the selected artist will conduct a workshop for youth (approximately 15 participants), designed to foster creativity and engagement with the themes of the Cold War. With the support of the hosting organization, the workshop should achieve the following aims:

Provide insights into the artist’s creative process and methodologies, offering participants a glimpse into professional artistic practices.
Encourage participants to explore and interpret Cold War-related themes through hands-on activities such as drawing, collage-making, and mini-sculpture creation, stimulating their artistic expression and critical thinking.
Highlight and raise awareness of lesser-known cultural heritage sites from the Cold War era, helping participants connect with history through creative exploration.

This collaborative and educational experience aims to inspire young people while broadening the audience for the project’s themes.

Application Details and Required Documentation:

Portfolio: showcasing your artistic practice (PDF, small compression, max 3MB)
Narrative Biography (up to 600 words; PDF)
Motivation Letter: explaining your connection to the Cold War theme and the residency (up to 600 words, PDF)
Workshop Concept: a short proposal for the youth workshop (up to 300 words, PDF)
New Artwork Concept: a short proposal of the new artwork (up to 300 words, PDF)

For questions and submissions, please email info@blockfrei.org.For more information about the project, visit this link

Deadline: December 22, 2024, 24:00 CET

Selection Process

Applications will be reviewed by the BLOCKFREI Collective, with selections made based on the applicant’s connection to the project’s themes, workshop and artwork concepts. The selected artist will be informed about the results until December 31, 2024 via email.

For questions and submissions, please email info@blockfrei.org.For more information about the project, visit this link

We look forward to your applications!

*Creative Europe-eligible countries include EU member states and additional countries listed here. This Artist in Residency program is co-funded by the European Union through the Creative Europe programme.