Miami Children's Museum Artist in Residence Program
Request for Proposals
Miami Children's Museum Overview
The Miami Children’s Museum (MCM) is a non-profit educational institution dedicated to enriching the lives of all children by fostering a love of learning and enabling children to realize their highest potential. Visitors of all ages are encouraged to play together, learn, imagine and create. The museum offers interactive exhibits, programs and learning materials related to arts, culture, community and communication. Founded in 1985, the Miami Children’s Museum is a valued community resource, which has earned an excellent reputation through promoting a diverse and progressive curriculum. The museum’s educational resources include: 22,000 sq. ft. of exhibits comprising 12 exhibit galleries; classrooms; parent/teacher resource center; computer lab; charter school; artist in residence studio; and 200-seat auditorium. To learn more about the museum, please visit www.miamichildrensmuseum.org.
Program Overview
The artist in residence program is in its fifth year at MCM. The program provides an opportunity for children and families who visit the museum to observe and interact with a professional visual artist. The artist in residence studio is designed to function as a real artist studio. The program is open to artists working in a variety of media including but not limited to painting, sculpture, installation, clay, textiles, illustration, and new media. The artist takes residence in the museum approximately 25 hours a week for 12 weeks. The MCM studio becomes the artist’s workplace. During open studio hours the public is welcome to talk to the artist about what they do and how they make their art. During special drop-in times, the artist will work with visitors on projects decided on by the artist and MCM program staff. Uninterrupted, private studio time is also part of the program to encourage the continuation of the artist’s work. At the conclusion of the residency, the artist will contribute one of the pieces he/ she worked on during the residency to MCM’s permanent collection. The final piece must be completed before the end of the residency. The artist is solely responsible for the creation of their final piece. The artist also serves as the visiting art teacher to the students who attend the MCM after school program and the MCM Early Childhood Institute. In addition, the artist also creates art activities for Free Museum Evenings (every 3 rd Friday of the month).
Upcoming Sessions & Deadlines
- Fall 2010
- October to December 2010
- Deadline for applications: August 30 th 2010
- Winter 2011
- January to March 2011
- Deadline for applications: November 22 nd 2010
- Spring 2011
- April 2011 to June 2011
- Deadline for applications: February 21 st 2011
What the Residency Offers to You
- Access to the studio during the museum’s normal hours of operation (aside from times classes are taking place in the space)
- An opportunity to create a program unique to you
- Opportunities to showcase your artwork and methods to museum visitors
- Drop-in studio time where children and families can work one on one with you in your art form
- Art class time with MCM after school and Early Childhood Institute students.
- A stipend of $1500 per month for the duration of the residency.
- A $300 materials stipend for supplies.
Applications must include:
- Your full name, mailing address, phone, fax, and e-mail address
- Artwork must be viewed in digital format, either CD-ROM, and/or URL (please no slides)
- Instructions/ requirements for viewing new media must be specified and provided.
- PLEASE DO NOT SEND ORIGINAL ARTWORK
- Resum é (please include programming you have done with children and/or families)
- A short text presenting potential project(s) that you would like to do during your residency, ideas about how your work will relate to the themes of the museum (arts, culture, community, and communication) and how the public will be involved in the art process.
- Narrative biography (personal information in a short paragraph: experience working with the public- especially children, education, awards, exhibitions and projects, other professional activities, and description of work. 100-200 words maximum)
Completed applications must be submitted electronically or in CD-ROM format. No paper applications please.
The Selection Process
One artist will be selected by a panel organized by MCM. Decisions are based on artistic merit, proven experience working with children and families, and proposed projects or ideas and how they relate to the museum themes of arts, culture, community, and communication. The museum encourages creativity; however, work must not require heavy machinery or major construction. All artists will be notified after the selection process is complete. MCM reserves the right to interview candidates before making our decision.
The artist chosen must pass a drug and background check.
Address applications to:
Miami Children's Museum
Attn: Danielle Black
Artist in Residence Program
980 MacArthur Causeway
Miami , FL 33132
For more information contact Danielle Black at 305-373-kids (5437) x104 or danielle@miamichildrensmuseum.org
