call: World of Co Artist residency in Bulgaria
Deadline: 30 November 2019
Call for entries
OPEN CALL 2020:
WoC Artist Residency in Sofia, Bulgaria
An artist-in-residency exploring crossroads between art and sustainability practices
ARE YOU ARTIST / CURATOR INTERESTED IN SUSTAINABILITY PRACTICES? DO YOU WANT
TO ADDRESS ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES AND PRESENT SOLUTIONS THROUGH YOUR
CREATIVE PROJECT, RESEARCH OR DEBATE , WHILE EXPLORING BULGARIA?
WoC Artist Residency 2020:
In 2020 WoC team is looking for project proposals based on creating an awareness of the important
issues that the planet is facing, whether it is a social issue, cultural, political or environmental issue.
More specifically, the main focus is to increase awareness on sustainability through art and design
projects. The works will aim to show how art can help us deal with the rapidly changing world.
World of Co Artist Residency (WoC) is the first all-year round international artist residency program in
Bulgaria. The initiative started in 2017 with the mission to create space for artistic exploration and to
introduce international artists to the cultural life of Sofia. So far we welcomed more than 95 artists from
all around the world, working in art, film, literature, fashion and other creative disciplines.
Living and working in the beautiful AiR apartment in the city center of Sofia, participating artists dive
into friendly, comfortable but experimental atmosphere. By bringing together different areas of
practice, WoC generates new artistic processes and fosters creative energy. The Residency is designed
for artists at all stages of their careers interested in experimenting with new techniques, developing new
work, or focusing on research.
The end of the residency will be celebrated by showcasing the projects in a group exhibition.
Why artist residency in Bulgaria?
Bulgaria is a country in Eastern Europe, with a rich cultural history and blooming contemporary art scene
worth to be discovered. Моreover the entangled Orthodox and pre-Christian beliefs and rituals, make
it interesting for learning symbols and mythology. The mixture of different influences – Thracian,
Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman, Soviet and European, is still visible in the urban structures, architecture,
culture, and traditions. As a country in the heart of Balkans it is a great starting point for discovering the
neighbouring countries.
Sofia is a vibrant capital, nestled in Vitosha Mountain – nice escape for picnics, hiking or skiing. The city is
full of parks and green areas, but also cafés, bars and restaurants where you can try the tasty Balkan
cuisine. While exploring independent art spaces, galleries and museums, you will be surrounded by
buildings from the Roman empire, to Art Nouveau, Brutalist communist structures and modern
surroundings. If you stay in Sofia it is easy to find art supply stores and printing services on affordable
prices. The city is also connected to the rest of the country with buses and trains, if you want to discover
the rest of the country.
AiR PROGRAM – PROVIDED ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES
â— Private room and desk in shared studio space in the AiR apartment, in the hearth of Sofia
â— Providing individual discussion about your artistic work with established artist
◠Providing technical and research support in the implementation of the artists’ projects
â— Connecting with the local artists through organized studio visits
â— Curated open studio or group exhibition at the end of the stay
â— Presenting and promoting the artists and their projects produced during the residency through
World of Co network, website and social media
â— Group meetings throughout the residency:
â—‹ First group meeting: Artist talks and goals for residence
â—‹ Group sharing discussions on progress/issues/problem solving
â—‹ Gallery show organization, artist statements, bios, invites, set up
â— Building an effective online presence for artists – tips and advises
â— Learning the basics of Bulgarian language with World of Co team
â— Welcome pack and Q&A onboarding session – practical information about your life in Sofia
â— Selected list with independent art spaces, institutional art galleries and museums, art supply
stores, print shops, hardware shops, bars, restaurants in Sofia
â— Curated list of art and culture events happening in Sofia during your stay
â— Bulgarian SIM card
â— Cleaning service
ACCOMMODATION & SHARED STUDIO SPACE
World of Co AiR apartment and studio ‘’Concept’’ is situated in a 1895-residential building, at a lively
main street in the city center of Sofia. Within walking distance are numerous art spaces, galleries,
museums, cafes, restaurants, bars, grocery and hardware stores. “Concept†is 140m² apartment with
three fully furnished individual bedrooms with bathroom, fully-equipped kitchen with utensils, oven,
microwave, coffee machine, toster, fridge, laundry machine. The apartment is also equipped with iron,
hairdryers and laundry hangers.
The shared studio space is bright shared open space, part of the same apartment, equipped with
working tables, chairs, lamps, including Wi-Fi and all utilities (water, heating, electricity).
RESIDENCY PERIODS AND DURATION
Each residency session is two months. If you decide to stay longer, please state it in you application
form.
I. January – February 2020
II. March – April 2020
III. May – June 2020
Please note: The residency month starts on the 5th day of the first month of the residency and
ends on approx. 30th day of the final month, to allow for cleaning and preparation of the rooms
for the next participants. You will be informed of the exact dates of your residency duration by
email.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Submit your application until 12:00 AM 30th November 2019 on http://www.worldof.co/apply
After being selected, WoC will support the invited artists in their efforts to secure funding through
external grants by providing them with an official invitation.
ELIGIBILITY
This opportunity is open to artists of all ages, at any point in their career. Like visual artists, textile
artists, media artists, multidisciplinary artists, photographers, graphic designers, illustrators, animators,
fashion designers, jewellery designers, educators, video / film makers, from all around the world.
Both new projects and projects that are in development but are not yet completed are eligible.
Candidates will be selected based on the strength of their project as well as their ability to deliver, and a
demonstration that the residency will be beneficial.
MONTHLY FEE
The monthly program fee is 850 EUR, including all mentioned residency activities and services, group
exhibition, accommodation and shared studio space in the center of Sofia and related utility bills.
CONTACTS
E-mail: contact@worldof.co
http://www.worldof.co | https://www.facebook.com/worldofco | https://www.instagram.com/worldofcoresidency
