Our Story
[NɛST] community center and residency cluster of ICA Yerevan is open for arts and cultural workers (artists, writers, curators, theatre directors, choreographers, filmmakers, photographers, art critics, art historians as well as interdisciplinary theorists and researchers interested in a wide range of subjects including but not limited to:
community design
music and sound art
filmmaking and film studies
architecture & urban studies
social archeology and narratives
contemporary dance and performance
parenting as social-cultural/artistic practice
time-banking and other forms of non-fiscal social sustainability
artifacts as social, cultural, virtual and bio facts, artifacts as errors
[NɛST] gives big importance to integrating invited residents (both regional and international) to local artistic community or other social milieu that pertains the sphere of interests of the resident. The residency program will be ‘implemented’ in collaboration with a number of established institutions as UrbanLab Yerevan Institute for Democratization of Urban Planning, Utopiana.am Cultural-creative organization, AJZ space, Epsidon theatre, Forum artistic collective and various individual cultural actors (depending on relevant practices or topics).
why we think this residency is needed
The political, social-economic, cultural and inevitably also contemporary art scene in Armenia is indeed marked by certain set of common ‘issues’ inherent to post-socialist context but the last 20 years have given rise to many a specific problems that are of core interest towards the country from research and artistic practice perspective. Therefore this experimental cluster offers those interested a possibility not just to do artistic tourism with its ‘visitor’ outlook but to become a participant of certain process where specific problems could appear as solved or on the contrary even deepened on social, communal and institutional levels.
Another distinctive but optional feature of residency is that it offers an opportunity for parent artists to travel, work and live with their children in a shaping community of the alike thus breaking the cliché of residency as an escapist shelter from living routine and disenfranchising domain for arts and cultural workers with parenting duties.
What we offer
Study/studio visits and extensive networking with local art scene and the experts in specific research fields of the resident, a final showcase of resident’s research/project results (the format is open and upon the resident’s choice – from small presentation to exposition. Large-scale projects demanding wider production are to be discussed in advance.
Residency also offers a project design and several spaces for showcase, a library with basic facilities and a small garden with a hen-house. While in its development stage the physical domain of the center is itself part of the ‘problematic’ framework and context where the artist/researcher is offered to operate.
Disciplines and media
Emphasizing the research-based approach and aim at the development and presentation of performative practices the residency is at the same time open for application of any media the resident finds appropriate for the project needs.
Brief description of organisation
Institute of Contemporary Art is developed as an open cross-functional network of people, ideas, and desires. Its Education, Project and Theory Labs provide a comprehensive set of resources, facilities and tools for understanding and operating in the contemporary art scene in Armenia and the wider global art contexts. Offering on-demand services in all stages of multiscale and multi-format project production Project Lab delivers consulting, guidance, creative management assistance and production.
Residency conditions
Duration:
From blitz visits to long-term stay (up to 6 months)
Number of artists resident at one time:
Maximum 4
Companions allowed:
Partners
Children
Unfortunately for now [NɛST] can't provide grants for the artists but it offers its active assistance and participation in fundraising both for residency fee and the travel grants. Therefore the resident will have to pay fee for his stay which will cover accommodation, commodities and food.
But we can also offer special discounts for collectives and artists from Armenia and neighboring region in order to support local networking and cultural exchanges in the country.
Expectations of the resident:
The resident is expected to share the results of one's observations.
The decision on format (presentation, exhibition, performance, screening, demonstration, manifesto, dinner, etc) is up to the resident. Also an optional contribution for the [NɛST] Reader, a publication with selected texts from long or short-term residents as well as colleagues and partners is greatly appreciated but not obligatory. We will further inform about the terms and conditions of the publishing upon the development of the project.
How to apply:
CV, Portfolio
Brief description of project proposal or letter of intent
Selection procedure:
The final decision will be made upon a skype interview with the selected candidates.
Send your applications to:
anna[at]ica.am
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