blue cactus
artist residency
Application Guidelines
Eligibility
Blue Cactus accepts applications from artists working in the following disciplines: painting, sculpting, visual arts, film/video arts, interdisciplinary arts, literature and music composition. The sole criterion for acceptance is artistic excellence, which Blue Cactus defines in a pluralistic and inclusive way. Blue Cactus encourages applications from artists representing the widest possible range of perspectives and demographics, and welcomes artists engaging in the broadest spectrum of artistic practice and investigating an unlimited array of inquiries and concerns. To that end, emerging as well as established artists are invited to apply. Applicants who are enrolled in undergraduate or graduate degree programs as of the date of application are ineligible for a residency and therefore cannot apply. Doctoral candidates who have finished all coursework may apply.
Periods and deadlines
Blue Cactus will only accept applications for the upcoming season. Artits may only apply once every 12 months.
Process
All applicants apply through the online application process below. Complete the application form and click on the SUBMIT APPLICATION button below. Applicants are not required to mail in hard copies of the application forms. If you need assistance with the online application process, please contact us on info@blue-cactus.org
Work samples
Work samples supporting the proposed project and completed within the past four years are requested. All work samples are uploaded and submitted through the online application. Applicants unable to submit new work for the panel to review should include a note of explanation. Those applicants whose proposed project does not fall clearly within an artistic discipline should contact us to discuss which discipline would best fit the proposed work.
References
Applicants are required to have one reference on file completed by someone who is knowledgeable in their field and is familiar with them and their work. Applications that do not have a completed reference on file will be considered incomplete and will be considered incomplete. References that are submitted as part of a completed application are confidential.
Costs and financial aid
Residency Cost: ​
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4 week residency - 2600.00€ (private room with a private studio on a self catering basis)
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8 week residency - 4800.00€ (private room with a private studio on a self catering basis)
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12 week residency - 5900.00€ (private room with a private studio on a self catering basis)
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We believe that any artist should have access to the opportunity Blue Cactus residency provides. In order to open the residency experience to the broadest possible community of artists, Blue Cactus offers financial assistance programs. These programs are intended to help with the costs of the accommodation at Blue Cactus.
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Artists may apply for financial aid with their application; funding is awarded based on demonstrated financial need. Applications for assistance, which are made available as part of the confirmation of acceptance t Blue Cactus, are kept confidential. Artists of all disciplines are eligible to apply.
Notification
Applicants will be notified of admission status approximately 1 month after the application submission.
Collaboration
Artists collaborating on a project must submit individual application forms and appropriate work samples, along with a joint description of the work they intend to do at Blue Cactus. Work space needs should be clearly specified (i.e. whether or not separate studios are required), and an example of a previous collaborative work (either completed or in progress) may also be submitted. Admission status is determined by averaging the individual application scores of all collaborators.
Couples
Couples must apply individually. If both are accepted, each will be offered a studio. There are no provisions for partners or children at Blue cactus.
Reapplication
All applicants, including artists who have had previous residencies Blue Cactus, must submit a complete application that includes recent work samples.