CALL FOR ARTISTS: Swarm Dynamics Residency

Lower image copyright credit (green):  © Aleksey Popov

An exciting opportunity exists for an emerging artist based in Croydon, for a paid residency creating a work engaging with immersive arts, using VR technology to explore the topic of system change.

Swarm Dynamics will mentor and up-skill the residency artist, meaning that no prior experience with VR is required.

We want to find an artist with strong creative vision, flexibility, and who has passion for communicating the potential for positive change in Croydon. An artist who is motivated to help a range of community views and visions come together, while being able to come up with a creative approach for how to weave the threads together using the immersive arts technologies supported through the residency. 

The selected artist will be required to work on site in residence at Turf Projects in Croydon for approximately one day per week (likely Thursdays) for 4 months duration from late March until late July 2023. During this time they will be creating the artistic creation under guidance and technical support from 2 senior artist mentors. 

The selected resident will have access to the Desk Space as per a regular Turf Projects Studio artist, from 9am – 6pm, Monday – Saturday. 

The results, and ideas arising from this engagement on positive transformations for Croydon, will be housed and curated within the immersive environment that the artist will build, as an interactive display at Museum of Croydon late 2023 during Borough of Culture. 

The total fee available for this work and position is £3,500. The artist will also receive some training in immersive digital arts, and professional exposure opportunities. 

The residency will be co-hosted by Turf Projects, providing the physical space and local community, and Swarm Dynamics providing artist mentorship, some technology support, an introduction to system change ideas and advice on meeting the brief.

How to apply: 

Eligibility: We will prioritise artists either identifying as Black or Global Majority (BAME), or of financially disadvantaged background, and those who have a strong connection to Croydon. 

Applicants should submit a letter of motivation, explaining why you consider you meet the eligibility criteria and your passion for the topic of system change, and for the future of Croydon, as well as any relevant experience in digital or immersive arts, together with a folio of work to: swarmdynamics@gmail.com

Deadline for applications: 9 am, 13th February.

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Further information/FAQs:

What does ‘based in Croydon’ mean?

To be eligible you will need to have a connection to Croydon through a lived experience. This can be past or present, living, working or studying in Croydon. Please make your connection known in the application.

Am I too old to be an ‘emerging’ artist?

No! There is no age limit, we will be looking for
applications that demonstrate a strong artistic track record, and for artists are in the process of fully establishing themselves or ‘breaking through’ as professional artists. If you are already truly famous, then don’t apply 😉 otherwise all artists are welcome. What technologies will be used for the art creation? Given budget and time constraints the creation is likely to be done via ‘semi immersive’ open source technologies such as Mozilla hubs or similar, rather than using full virtual reality software. However, we have technologists lined up that will help you make the creation VR headset compatible – meaning the final creation and all the information within it, will be explorable by audiences either through a flat screen in 360, or with a VR headset.

What does system change mean?

We will define this in more detail together with our community organisation participants in the workshops, but in a sentence, think: rapid transformation to zero carbon, socially just and inclusive futures!

Do I need to have my own high performing laptop?

No, if necessary, Swarm Dynamics can provide you temporary loan of a high specs laptop for use during your physical time at the premises of Turf Projects. This is the device we will likely use to run the experience during the exposure phase. However your own laptop, if you have one, may well be sufficient.

Contact swarmdynamics@gmail.com with any questions.

Swarm Dynamics