OPENLab 2014

FAQs

Specific FAQs relating to the OPENLab are listed below. Please regularly check for updates as new questions may be published during the CALL OUT period.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY?

If you are an Early or Mid Career Artist or Creative Practitioner you are eligible to apply. Individuals must be practicing artists or creative practitioners. While you may not regularly earn income from your practice, you must be identified and recognised by your peers as a practicing artist or creative practitioner.

Applicants must be South African citizens or have permanent resident status in South Africa. Proof of citizenship or residency may be required.

Artists from all cultural backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

WHAT DOES EARLY / MID CAREER MEAN?

OPENlab is defining ‘Early and Mid Career Artists’ as creative practitioners who are within their first fifteen years of professional practice, and can demonstrate an on going series of professional outcomes to their practice. For example, this could be:

• Creating artwork for exhibitions, events or performances

• Curating exhibitions or events

• Designing works for public spaces

• Exhibiting and selling work in a professional context

• Performing, directing or choreographing

• Professionally employed to work as a community cultural development practitioner

I AM TRANSITITIONING FROM ONE CREATIVE PRATICE TO ANOTHER, AND AM IN THE EARLY STAGES OF MY NEW CREATIVE PRACTICE. CAN I APPLY?

Yes, you may be eligible to apply if you are transitioning from one creative practice to another. To be considered as early career, you will need to clearly articulate your experience in the creative practice you are transitioning into. Your support material should demonstrate your professional experience in the creative practice.

DO I HAVE TO BE LESS THAN 30 YEARS OF AGE?

No, age is not an eligibility requirement for the OPENLab program. But we are looking for flexible and agile practitioners.

DO I HAVE TO PROPOSE AN ARTWORK?

No, you do not have to apply to the OPENLab with an artwork proposal. The purpose of the OPENLab is to support artists in developing and considering ways to approach site-specific contexts that respond to a variety of sites, audiences, conditions and economies.

CAN I APPLY AS A COLLECTIVE OR GROUP?

OPENLab can only accommodate up to 15 artists. We recommend that you apply as an individual and list that you are part of a collective or group.

I DON’T HAVE A WEBSITE. DO I STILL NEED TO PROVIDE URL SUPPORT MATERIAL?

Only artists working with new media, sound or performing arts need to provide a URL to view work. Artists can submit images or drawings of work in a PDF format.

Yes. If you don’t have your own website there are many free Internet services for uploading material. Some popular sites include YouTube and Vimeo for moving images, Soundcloud for music and sound, Flickr, photobucket and Picasaweb for moving and still images.

Please note that we will not be downloading this support material for distribution but rather providing our assessors with links to view this material online. Please make sure your support material is viewable when the URL link is clicked. If your URL requires a password to view the material, please include it with your application.

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF A FACILITATOR?

The national and international Facilitators will be your guide to motivate and stimulate your thoughts and ideas. They will provide the content for the OPENLab’s daily activities including a series of workshops and studios as well as generate the overall design of the Lab to its scope and focus.

COORDINATING FACILITATOR?

Paul Gazzola, Coordinating Studio Facilitator, will not only contribute as a facilitator but will also assist in the coordination of the Facilitators. Maintaining the overall vision of the OPENLab program by providing critical links between the OPENLab, participants, program and partners.

WHAT EXPENSES WILL OPENLAB COVER?

OPENLab will cover the following expenses for participants taking part in the Arts Lab including:

• Travel to Bloemfontein (if required)

• Travel to and from Richmond

• Accommodation and meals in Bloemfontein and Richmond

• Artist talks and Forum

• Tickets to Vryfees festival events

WHEN ARE OPENLAB APPLICATIONS DUE?

Applications are due by Midnight, Monday 5 May 2014. Late applications will not be accepted.

HOW WILL MY APPLICATION BE ASSESSED?

Your application will be assessed against the following selection criteria.

• Potential for the OPENLab to contribute to your professional development including acquiring skills in cross-artform collaboration and creating work for the public realm.

• Potential to participate in critical thinking, consultative and collaborative situations.

• Artistic caliber (primarily assessed on the basis of examples of previous work and artist CV).

WHAT IS THE SELECTION CRITERIA BASED ON?

The selection criteria is based on the impact of the OPENLab on the Early / Mid Career practitioner and the program:

• What effect will the OPENLab have on the development of the participant’s creative skills and ideas?

• How will the participant’s career progression benefit from the OPENLab?

• Is the OPENLab a good fit for the participant and the program?

WHEN WILL THE SUCCESSFUL PARTICIPANTS BE ANNOUNCED?

Successful OPENLab participants for 2014 will be announced on Monday 2, June 2014 via the website.