OPEN CALL Residency in New York City, Open to Artists Based in the Middle East and North Africa

Photo above: @Taysir Batnji (detail) / ISCP Residency 2014

Art Jameel, in partnership with Edge of Arabia, is pleased to announce an open call for Middle East and North African based artists or artist collectives to participate in a residency in Brooklyn, New York, at ISCP. Between March 1 and August 31, 2015 two residencies will be awarded, each three to six months long.

The residency includes: 24-hour access to a private 250 square foot furnished studio space at ISCP; enrollment in the institution’s dynamic programming with regular studio visits from visiting critics; field trips to museums, galleries and other cultural institutions; and participation in ISCP Talks. Residents are also invited to take part in ISCP’s Exhibition Program and Participatory Projects. The residency includes accommodation and travel costs, as well as a stipend for living expenses in New York City.

The program aims to connect Middle Eastern artists with new audiences, and to explore interconnected stories that link ideas and people across physical and psychological borders. Nearly 200 applications were submitted by artists living and working across the Middle East and North Africa for Art Jameel and EOA’s first collaboration with ISCP in 2014. The inaugural residency awardees were Taysir Batniji (b. 1966, Gaza, Palestine) and Foundland (a collective comprised of Ghalia Elsrakbi b. 1978, Damascus, Syria and Lauren Alexander b. 1983, Cape Town, South Africa).

Applications must be submitted no later than Feburary 1, 2015. Artists invited to the interview stage will be notified in late February 2015.

ART JAMEEL

Art Jameel – Abdul Latif Jameel Community Initiatives (ALJCI) arts and culture initiative – aims to foster and promote a thriving arts scene within the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey (MENAT) region and to support the development of creative enterprises. In partnership with art organizations worldwide, Art Jameel develops cultural exchange programs to encourage networking and knowledge sharing. Art Jameel is the founding partner of Edge of Arabia, The Crossway Foundation, Arabian Wings, Jeddah Art Week and The Archive. In partnership with the Victoria & Albert Museum in London it provides the biannual Jameel Prize for contemporary art inspired by Islamic traditions. Additional projects include: Jeddah Sculptures Museum, a public park established in collaboration with Jeddah Municipality; the Art Jameel Photography Award; the Art Jameel Art Olympics in collaboration with the Ministry of Education in Saudi Arabia; and the Art Jameel Program for Traditional Arts and Crafts in collaboration with the Prince’s School of Traditional Arts. ALJCI was established in 2003 to promote positive social change through the establishment of long-term partnerships with international institutions, and the creation of initiatives in the fields of Job Creation, Global Poverty Alleviation, Arts and Culture, Education and Training, Health and Social Programs. More information on ALJCI’s considerable set of initiatives can be found online at www.aljci.org.

ISCP

ISCP is a leading nonprofit, residency-based contemporary art institution for emerging to mid-career artists and curators from around the world, including the United States. With more than 30 artists and curators in residence throughout a year, the program provides the space, time, and support necessary to develop new projects within a creative community. With additional activities tailored for professional development and public engagement, ISCP serves as an important platform for producing, presenting and contextualizing contemporary art through a diverse range of international perspectives. ISCP’s public programs encourage dialogue and integrate residents into the cultural community of New York City. Founded with one sponsored studio in 1994, ISCP has grown into an internationally recognized institution that has hosted over 1,800 artists and curators from more than 60 countries. In 2008, ISCP moved from Manhattan to East Williamsburg, Brooklyn, to an 18,000 square-foot former factory. This move expanded ISCP’s facilities to 35 studios, an exhibition gallery and a project space. For more information, please visit www.iscp-nyc.org.

EDGE OF ARABIA

Edge of Arabia is an independent arts initiative developing an appreciation for contemporary Middle Eastern art and culture with a particular focus on Saudi Arabia. Edge of Arabia is dedicated to connecting Middle Eastern artists and international audiences. To date, Edge of Arabia has welcomed 250,000 visitors to its exhibitions, distributed over 50,000 books & catalogues worldwide, impacted over 300 schools & universities through its award winning education program and reached a wider audience of over 10,000,000 through a dedicated communications campaign. International exhibitions include: Rhizoma, 55th Venice Biennale (2013); #COMETOGETHER, East London (2012); We Need to Talk, Jeddah (2012); The Future of a Promise, 54th Venice Biennale (2011); Terminal, Dubai (2011); Transition, Istanbul: European Capital of Culture (2010); Grey Borders/Grey Frontiers, Berlin (2010); Edge of Arabia, Riyadh (2010); Edge of Arabia, 53rd Venice Biennale (2009); and Edge of Arabia, University of London (2008). For more information about Edge of Arabia’s upcoming programming and ongoing US Tour, please visit www.edgeofarabia.com.