Membership Residency Guidelines and Info
Residency Info:
Neutral Ground is thrilled to pilot a membership residency in the spring of 2024. The residency is designed as a resource for artists and makers in the Neutral Ground’s membership to connect to artist-run culture in the prairies and have access to space and infrastructure to experiment, brainstorm, and develop new or continuing projects and ideas in their practice. For four weeks, Neutral Ground will welcome two artists from our membership into the gallery space. Neutral Ground’s main gallery will act as a work/studio space for selected artists. Artists selected are not expected to produce final works during these four weeks, and the nature of this residency will largely be led by their own needs and preferences for the time and space. Neutral Ground staff will be on-site for the duration of the residency to offer peer support and feedback as needed by the selected applicants. Artists will be offered an opportunity to host either a workshop or an artist talk at the conclusion of the residency for which they will be compensated according to the CARFAC recommended fees for Category 1. Please note that there is no remuneration for artists’ participation in the residency. Any other expenses incurred during the residency including materials, travel costs, etc. are the responsibility of the artist. Preference will be given to local artists (Regina and the surrounding area within a 50km radius) in our membership.
Neutral Ground encourages application from artists at all stages of their practices, whose work is experimental, who take risks, and challenge the boundaries of artistic practices. We strongly encourage applications from early career and emerging artists and makers.
Neutral Ground
Located on Treaty 4 Territory, Neutral Ground is a not-for-profit, artist-run-centre that presents contemporary visual and media art. From the gallery in downtown Regina, Saskatchewan/Treaty 4 Territory we connect audiences to the presentation of interdisciplinary art from emerging and mid-career artists, and from established artists experimenting with or working outside of their normal practices.
Neutral Ground recognizes that many people face systemic forms of oppression due to intersecting imbalances of power. Neutral Ground values lived experiences and non-western ways of knowing and being as powerful sources of knowledge. The organization addresses imbalances through the representation of diverse identities within its programming, informed through the selection process. Neutral Ground is committed to promoting, exhibiting, and presenting the work of systemically underrepresented artists inclusive of race, religion, national or ethnic origin, colour, education, gender, age or physical or mental disability, or any intersections of and beyond these identities.
(Please note that applications from artists based outside of Regina and the surrounding area (within 50KM radius) will be considered only as budget and resources allow.)
Thanks to funding from the Canada Council for the Arts, Sask Arts and the City of Regina, Neutral Ground pays artist fees in accordance with the CARFAC fee schedule for level 1 gallery exhibitions.
The Space:
Neutral Ground’s Main Gallery is a white cube space measuring approximately 900 sq. feet. The gallery is highly visible and fully accessible, located on the ground level of a busy, pedestrian-only street in downtown Regina.
The Main Gallery includes adjustable lighting, with 12’ high white walls reinforced with ¾” plywood. The gallery is equipped with various technical resources including digital projectors, laptops, iPad, media players, flat-screen TV monitors, and a six-speaker sound system. Selected applicants will have access to the main gallery and technical equipment.
Application:
Applications received prior to 11:59 pm on April 2nd will be assessed by Neutral Ground Staff and Board for consideration for the pilot membership residency set to occur May 1 – June 1, 2024.
Questions about application details as well as inquiries into the feasibility of work plans may be directed to Director/Curator Emily Nestor program@neutralground.sk.ca. Applications are reviewed by Neutral Ground staff and members of the Neutral Ground board. Selections will be based on artistic merit and consideration will be given to the likelihood that the applicant’s practice will benefit from the residency.
Neutral Ground offers installation assistance from staff, peer review from staff and board, and equipment and infrastructure. The selected artists and their practices will be promoted through printed invitations, electronic newsletters, advertisements, the gallery’s website, and social media.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS: MAIN GALLERY
Neutral Ground accepts digital submissions via THIS FORM. All submissions should include the following:
- Work Plan: Briefly describe your work plans for your residency. Provide details of your spatial, physical, and material requirements including any foreseeable technical needs. Tell us about what you plan to work on, and what your goals are for the residency. (250 – 500 words)
- Concept, Themes, and Ideas: Discuss the context of your practice, research, and interests. We want to know what you are currently interested in your practice. This can be a broad overview of the themes you tend to work with or details of your research and conceptual ideas. (250 – 500 words)
- Artist Bio: Provide a brief description of your history as an artist, your background and training where applicable, lived experience, etc. (100 – 150 words)
- Support Material: Upload your support materials in the application form : Images: Maximum 5. No larger than 1MB/file. (reduce the number of images by 1 for each minute of audio/video submitted)
- Audio / Video: Maximum combined length of 5 minutes.
- Image List: Corresponding image list that includes title, date, dimensions, media, and other details as relevant to the application. (Max. 1 page, PDF)
Support Material Guidelines:
- Image files should be in jpeg format, no larger than 1MB/each, and titled according to the image list. Please use the following file naming convention, 01_surname.jpg, 02_surname.jpg, etc.
- Video work must be viewable online. Choose relevant short clips that best demonstrate the work. Provide passwords within the accompanying image list, if relevant.
- Audio and Video material may be submitted via links to SoundCloud, Vimeo, Youtube, or other relevant platforms.
- Audio and Video work must remain accessible for the duration of the Jury process.
Should you have any questions, please email Emily Nestor, Director/Curator, at program@neutralground.sk.ca
