Performance Works NW || Linda Austin Dance

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photos of 2015 Alembic Artists by Chelsea Petrakis

Request for Proposals
2016 Alembic Resident Artist Program
Deadline: Feb. 12, 2016
Residency Period: April 1, 2016-January 31, 2017

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 invites artists working in original and contemporary time-based performance, whose work engages a strong movement, body or dance-based component, to apply for year 4 of our Alembic Resident Artist Program

The Alembic Residency
Three Portland-area artists or artist groups will receive 80 hours of studio time to be used between April 1, 2016 and January 31, 2017. Additional time once the 80 hours is reached can be rented at $5-6/hr during the residency period.

During the course of the residency, the artists will have the opportunity share the results of their studio time with each other, the panel and invited friends. Depending on their interests and energies, and the timing of any results from their research and rehearsal, a weekend of work may be presented in January 2017, with a minimum of 80% of the proceeds from the door divided among the artists. Depending on funding, there may be more! In addition, each artist is eligible to be considered for an evening length-performance during 2017 or 2018 as part of PWNW’s Alembic Co-Production Series.

Application Process:  Send an email to info@pwnw-pdx.org with the following. If possible, consolidate into one document, beginning each section on a new page. Also, it’s helpful if you send a short email announcing your “intent to apply” as soon as you know you are going to do so! 

1. Bio (up to 400 words) Include any website, blog or other links where you virtually reside/create/live

2. Essay: You and your making (up to 600 words)

Note the relationship between the following questions and the panel’s Criteria for Selection.

1. How does your work align with PWNW’s mission to advance experimentation in contemporary performance?
2. Describe your relationship to the field of contemporary performance and dance. Possible questions to help you do this are:
   • Where are you in your trajectory as a maker? What are your questions, areas of investigation and how might you explore them?  How do you view yourself as an explorer of form, content, genre within a contemporary context? What does it mean to you to be an artist in this time and place?
3. How will time spent at PWNW have a potential for significant impact on your growth as an artist?

3. Work Sample– up to 2 samples of continuous selection from a work (no short clips as in promo reels) of previous or in-progress work, 10 minutes total. YouTube or Vimeo links only–or possibly some other online platform. No DVDs.

1. Year of Premiere  + Year of Performance if different
2. Title and URL (Vimeo or YouTube link)
3. Credits including your role in the production
4. Viewing points – For example: “Please watch minutes 8-12 of this sample
5. 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.

5. Recommended panelists [optional]: Feel free to recommend a Portland artist, arts writer, curator from performance, visual or media arts.