Request for Proposals
2013 PWNW Alembic Resident Artist Program
Deadline: December 28 2012

Alembic = apparatus used in alchemy or distilling. The word “alembic” is also used metaphorically for anything that refines or transmutes, as if by distillation (as in “the alembic of creative thought”).

PWNW || LAD is proud to announce that, with the support of our recently-awarded Robert Rauschenberg Foundation SEED Grant, we are launching a project we have been dreaming of for the last two years: the Alembic Resident Artist Program.

Alembic Resident Artist Program

• Two artists or artist groups working in original and contemporary time-based performance, dance, and/or media arts from the Portland area will receive 100 hours of studio time to be used between Feb-July 2013. This includes one evening or one weekend slot of up to 3 hours a week if desired. There is no limit per week on daytime weekday hours. Additional time once the 100 hours is reached, or for more prime time during the residency, can be rented at $5-6/hr through December 2013.
• The artists will share the results of their studio time in one or two public events that can take the form of a work-in-progress showing, lecture-demo, class or any other form they so desire.
• The artists will have the opportunity to present their work in a weekend show at and co-produced by PWNW within 6 months of the end of their residency, in shared or separate evenings. The artists receive all money earned at the door. PWNW will provide a tech person and help with publicity through email, web and Facebook.
• One out-of-town artist or artist group will also be awarded a residency. For 2013 our Visiting Resident Artists are Beth Graczyk and Angelina Baldoz of Seattle to support development of Cacaphony for 8 Players.

Application process

Send an email to PerformanceWorksNW AT gmail DOT com with the following attachments:

1. Bio (up to 500 words) Include any website, blog or other links where you virtually reside/create/live
2. You and your making (up to 800 words)
   a. Where are you in your trajectory as a maker? What are your questions, areas of investigation?  How do you plan to use the time? You can be working on a specific project, investigating a new approach to your practice, developing a class or workshop. Any or all of these or ideas we haven’t thought of are eligible.  Answer this question briefly:
   b. Are you able to commit to at least 3 hours of studio time at PWNW per week during the residency period?
3. Work Sample – up to 2 samples of continuous footage (no promo reels) of previous or in-progress work, 10-15 minutes total.  –> YouTube or Vimeo links only. No DVDs.
   Work Sample Info Sheet
   Title and URL (Vimeo or YouTube link)
   Year of Premiere  + Year of Performance if different
   Credits including your role in the production
   Viewing points – For example: “Please watch minutes 8-15 of this sample
   Length of sample & length of complete piece, if an excerpt. Also where in the piece this was. For example: This excerpt begins 30 minutes into a 55 minute piece.

Criteria for Selection

• The Alembic Artist’s work aligns with PWNW’s mission to advance experimentation in contemporary performance and media arts.
• The Alembic Artist demonstrates a keen investigative spirit and a self-aware intelligent questioning of her or his own process.
• The Alembic Artist’s process will be well-served by the time spent at PWNW.
• The Alembic Artist has the time, energy and transportation to be at our studio at least once a week during the residency period.

The Alembic Artists will be chosen by a panel of artist peers and/or artist/curators from a variety of performance disciplines.