THIS CALL HAS CLOSED.

Activated: 07/30/2024 Deadline: 08/30/2024

Call Summary New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park seeks artists to take part in our residency program in 2025! For the eighth year, New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park is opening its doors to four artists for 3-month residencies. This year, we are starting a new and exciting partnership with New Bedford Creative at the New Bedford Economic Development Council, as well as UMass Dartmouth College of Visual and Performing Arts. We pose this challenge to our artists: look at New Bedford as a source of inspiration for your work. Possibilities can include, but are not limited to: history, heritage, ecology, identity, and historic preservation. This residency is for artists that wish to engage with our park stories, community, visitors, staff, and volunteers. Visit www.nps.gov/nebe to learn more about the park, our mission, and to view past artist residencies. Art should be accessible to all people. It is the artist’s role to act as a catalyst for both inspiration and radical inclusion. We believe that artists hold a unique role in our collective storytelling. During the residency, in addition to maintaining open studio hours, artists will offer three public programs. These can be workshops, talks, demonstrations, performances, or other programs. Park staff are available to help artists brainstorm and install program ideas while on site to bring the artist’s public program vision to life. The events should occur on AHA! Nights (the second Thursday night of each month, except January), weekends, or school vacation days. All events will be free and open to the public.

Budget Description Selected artists will receive a stipend of $2,500 for the three-month residency, awarded at the beginning of their residency. Stipends for artists are generously provided by the New Bedford Economic Development Council. Please note: housing is not included in this residency.

Project Description This call is for Artist Residencies that will take place in 2025. We will select up to four artists to complete residencies during the following times in 2025: January - March, April - June, July - September, and October - December. Artists must specify a first choice and second choice time preference on their application. Our program is distinguished by the distinctive opportunities we offer participants: a $2,500 stipend, studio and exhibition space, personalized professional development, promotional support and some supplies may be provided. Applications are competitive, and only one resident will be selected per session, unless artists apply as a group. If artists apply for a group residency, they must note this in the application. In the application, artists should be sure to outline the scope of their prior work, their plan for unique public programs, the role of the residency program in further developing their work, and how New Bedford will serve as a source of inspiration. Strongest consideration will be given to artists who engage with all the components of our residency program outlined in the application. We especially encourage graduate and professional artists living in New Bedford to apply.

Eligibility Housing is NOT included in this residency. All artists must provide their own housing for the three-month residency. All artists are encouraged to apply, including student and professional artists. Teams of artists may apply, but please note that the stipend remains the same for the three month residency. New to our program in 2025 - one residency spot per year may be held for a University of Massachusetts Dartmouth College of Visual and Performing Arts alumnus (within the last two years) or current students. If relevant, applicants must note their affiliation to CVPA in the letter of interest. Please note: our studio and public space may only accommodate certain materials, if you have questions about whether your residency is appropriate for the space, please contact the AIR Coordinator directly at Lindsay_Compton@nps.gov.

Application Requirements

Resume: 1 page(s) maximum Work examples: 1 - 5 Artist Statement: 300 word maximum Letter of Interest: 500 word maximum Artists must include a clear description on how they will use New Bedford as a source for inspiration and how they plan to engage with the public through their residency. If this is not clearly addressed in the letter of interest, the artist will be ineligible for selection. References: 3

Artists are allowed to apply in teams. Artists applying as a team must split the allotted number of work examples between themselves.

Selection Information

Selection Process Selections will be made in September 2024; all artists will be contacted via email no later than October 1, 2024. The applications will be selected by a panel of former Artists-in-Residence, local artists, UMass Dartmouth representative, and local arts administrators.

Selection Criteria Highest consideration will be given to artists that clearly articulate their plan for public engagement during the residency and proposals that respond directly to this call. Only applications submitted through anyartist.org will be considered. No mailed applications are accepted. Applications will be assessed on the following: 1. Uniqueness of Proposal – based on initial concepts, is there evidence that the proposed work will be unique to the residency? How will New Bedford serve as a source of inspiration in the artist’s work or creative practice? 2. Appropriate Residency - Can the artist work within the limitations of our site, building, and program? How will this residency help develop the artist’s work or creative practice? 3. Artistic Merit – Artistic maturity, quality, and technical ability as demonstrated in the artist’s application and work samples. 4. Public Engagement – How does the artist plan to engage our visitors and our community at large? How is New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park the right place for this proposed project?

Timeline Selections will be made in September 2024; all artists will be contacted via email no later than October 1, 2024. The applications will be selected by a panel of former Artists-in-Residence, local artists, UMass Dartmouth representative, and local arts administrators.

Additional Resources

https://www.nps.gov/nebe/getinvolved/artist-in-residence.htm

Contact Information

Lindsay Compton Artist in Residence and Youth Programs Coordinator 33 William St New Bedford MA 02740 United States lindsay_compton@nps.gov 508-996-4095

Submission Instructions