Artist Residency
This three-month corporate artist residency program was created to promote an exchange of ideas, skills, and networks by placing an artist in both a contemporary art production setting and a working corporate setting. Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis, and residencies have flexible start dates.
Selected artists will be awarded a three-month residency at both Deeplocal and Encyclopedia Destructica. The resident will be given support in art production and promotion at Encyclopedia Destructica during scheduled hours, and a workspace with dedicated professional and technical support at Deeplocal one day each week. While there is no personal stipend, a cash project stipend will be awarded to each selected resident to be used for project expenses.
Residents are asked to arrange their own housing and to work with available Deeplocal technology or assets when appropriate. The available technologies include SMS text messaging, Voice phone systems, iPhone and Android application creation, and the Deeplocal trans-media platform. Residents will be required to sign a non-disclosure agreement with Deeplocal. While a project proposal should include work utilizing these technologies, this is not the only work expected of the resident.
At the end of the residency, the completed project or projects will be promoted and publicly launched through a public exhibit with a partner institution. Deeplocal will host an open studio visit once during the residency to allow their clients, customers, and staff to network with the artists at the company's office space. Encyclopedia Destructica will also host a small exhibition and artist lecture at Encyclopedia Destructica Studios once during the residency. This is a potential opportunity for the resident to expand their sales and support networks.
When is it?
Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis, and residencies have flexible start dates. Residencies last three months.
What do I get?
Artists are given support in the form of money, space, technology, and expertise.
- Project funds up to $1,000
- Full-time work space at Deeplocal plus support staff and technology assistance one day per week
- Artist access privileges with Pittsburgh Filmmakers/Pittsburgh Center for the Arts
- Support in art production and promotion and access to printmaking and bookbinding facilities at Encyclopedia Destructica
- Access to API for proprietary Deeplocal mobile technology platform, which includes Voice, SMS, web, and mobile
- Assistance in grant application writing
- Exhibition opportunities, including a public exhibition with a partner institution at the end of the residency, an open studio night at Deeplocal, and an artist lecture at Encyclopedia Destructica
Who should apply?
Anyone who has a creative idea, enthusiasm, a good work ethic, and a desire to learn. Applicants can propose work of nearly any nature and will be evaluated based on creativity, the degree that the project leverages Deeplocal’s technology assets, the need for corporate support, and the likelihood of successful completion in the allotted time frame. Applicants are not required to have any technology background. It may be beneficial to look at what Deeplocal and Encyclopedia Destructica can offer to make sure that you are able to take advantage of their assets.
Who is running the residency?
Encyclopedia Destructica, a publisher of hand-bound art zines that promote local artists and writers and Deeplocal, a Carnegie Mellon spin-off known for its work with new media tools like text messaging and mobile broadcasting.
Q&A
Do I physically need to be in Pittsburgh?
Yes. While we do not require you to be a permanent resident of Pittsburgh, we do ask that you spend the residency period here. Since the residency offers no stipend for housing, you will either need to already be living here or find your own housing. The residency is about exploring new ways of sustaining the cool art scene that Pittsburgh is developing, so we want the artist to be very visible in the city.
Can I send links to work or related projects?
Yes. We ask that you create a single web page that clearly links to whatever material you see as relevant to your application. There is now a spot in the application form to provide that single URL.