Open Call for Residency Programme curated by CCA Derry~Londonderry at CIAP, Ile de Vassivière

CCA Derry~Londonderry in partnership with CIAP (International Centre for Art & Landscape) are inviting applications from artists, arts writers, and other creative researchers for a three month residency at the Castle on Vassivière Island, France, from 20th June to 30th October 2016. The residency programme is supported with a budget that includes a living allowance, travel, and production costs, as well as use of live/work facilities at the dedicated residency space, recently renovated by architects Berger&Berger and BuildingBuilding.

The residency programme is seeking applications with a thematic focus, in response to architect Rem Koolhaas’s assertion that the ‘countryside is now the frontline of transformation … more volatile than the most accelerated city.’ Referring to the countryside as a ‘toxic mix of genetic experiment, science, industrial nostalgia, seasonal immigration, territorial buying sprees, massive subsidies, incidental inhabitation, tax incentives, investment, political turmoil’, Koolhaas contradicts the notion of the countryside as a space that is both inactive and immune from the forces of global capitalism and technocracy.

The thematic approach has particular relevance to the immediate vicinity of Vassiviere, an artificial island that is simultaneously a hydro-electric power reservoir, a holiday resort, an art centre, sculpture park, and a ‘managed’ woodland consigned for foreign export. The wider region of the Limousin meanwhile represents one of the lowest population density regions of France.

The residency hopes to provide a unique opportunity to respond to and develop these ideas within the terms of individual creative practice. The programme will also be supported through occasional group events organised between CCA, CIAP and Treignac Projet, an artist run project space in the Limousin. The residencies emphasise a discursive and process-based approach with no fixed outcomes, yet there will be the opportunities to present aspects of the residency at CCA Derry~Londonderry in late 2016, in form of exhibition, talk, or research presentation.

Eligibility

The residency is open to artists, arts writers and creative practitioners in other disciplines. There is no age limit. We cannot accept applicants currently in full-time education.

The residency period is 20 June - 30 October 2016. Residents must be present for a minimum of 60 days within this period.

The residency is part funded by Arts Council Northern Ireland and British Council Northern Ireland.

Applicants with a connection to Northern Ireland will be prioritised in the selection process use of a car at CIAP is only available to residents with a full UK / EU driving license

Facilities

Accommodation

The residency accommodation includes 3 self-contained apartments; two single person studio apartments, and one that can accommodate a family or collective. Each accommodation unit includes a fully equipped kitchen and a bathroom. Sheets, towels and crockery are provided. Heating is geothermal and there is a shared laundry.

Workspaces

Residents share open-plan work areas totalling 192 sq. metres on several different levels in the Castle, with heating, phone and Internet connection. Architect-designed more as research and inspiration spaces than traditional artists’ studios, these areas offer no audiovisual equipment or technical tools.

Support

The residencies offer the following supports for residents:

• living allowance of 2000 € (approx. 1400 GBP) per resident
• Shared use of a car with other residents and the team of CIAP
• Gasoline contribution: 1 full tank per resident
• internet and phone
• travel costs for one return trip to Vassiviere island up to 300 € (approx. 200 GBP) per resident
• production budget of max. 500 € (approx. 350 GBP), per resident during period of residency
• staff support of technical manager at CIAP (subject to availability)
• curatorial support of CIAP and CCA
• a thematic workshop event / seminar, organised by CIAP, CCA, Treignac Projet, and residents (subject to additional funding)
• the opportunity of public presentation of residents’ work / research at CCA in late 2016

Selection process

Applications will be assessed by a panel that includes curatorial staff from CIAP, CCA, and an independent advisor, artist Willie Doherty. Successful applicants will be informed by Friday 26 February 2016. Due to expected numbers of applications, we will not be able to provide feedback to unsuccessful applicants.

The programme is made possible through the generous support of the Limousin Region and the Ministry of Culture and Communication - Limousin Region Cultural Affairs Office (DRAC); Arts Council Northern Ireland / British Council Northern Ireland.