Conservation through art and culture
The San Juan Bay Estuary Program recognizes the need to find creative ways to further engage its citizens in the process of developing a resilient watershed. Therefore, for the fourth consecutive year, we are issuing project proposals for the Estuary Artists-in-Residence Program.
Art is a form of social capital that allows us to reach the diverse population living within the San Juan Bay estuary system and its watershed (Wong and Brown, 2009). Furthermore, experiential knowledge enhances decision-making capacity and has been directly linked to environmental conservation. Therefore, we believe that art is a fundamental strategy for acquiring this knowledge and will integrate it into our engagement efforts.
Resident Artists of the Estuary
Estuario will sponsor two artist-in-residence projects, focusing on artists working on climate change adaptation and integrating blue economy initiatives and ideas into their work. Two artist-in-residence projects will be selected for a three-month period each, during which the artists will immerse themselves in a particular community to develop a theme aligned with the community's interests and needs.
Each artist-in-residence will work for three months, divided into two trimesters. The two trimesters are: a) February 1 to April 31, 2022 and b) May 1 to July 30, 2022.
The contract per period for each resident artist project is $5,000 (Subject to withholding for professional services)
Important dates
- November 12, 2021: Announcement of the Request for Proposals.
- January 31, 2022: Last day to submit proposals and materials.
- February 3, 2022: Interviews with selected artists.
- February 7, 2022: Announcement to selected resident artists.
- February 15, 2022: Start of the first project.
Selection criteria
An advisory board formed by the Estuary will review the proposals and select six (6) pending proposals for an interview. A round of virtual interviews (via Zoom) will be conducted, and then the judging panel will select two projects.
The selection panel will use the following criteria to select proposals:
- Complete application including all required materials
- Artistic merit
- Leadership skills and experience in group management.
- The proposal should include ideas that foster a collaborative environment within the communities where the project is being developed.
- Name and contact information of the creative institution or community organization through which the applicant will be working
- Letter of interest from the creative institution or community organization to participate in the project
- Level of integration with the selected community that will result from your residence and proposed project
- Integration of the proposal into climate change adaptation, initiatives and ideas of the blue economy
- General knowledge of the San Juan Bay Estuary System; bodies of water, communities, problems.
- Incorporation of the physical distancing guidelines suggested by the CDC and the Puerto Rico Department of Health.
Eligibility
- The applicant must be available to interact regularly with the chosen project for a period of three months and provide their own housing independently.
- The applicant must be an artist in any of the following disciplines: visual, audiovisual, musical, or culinary arts. They must also be over eighteen years of age, legally eligible to work, and reside in the United States.
- The applicant must have knowledge of and close ties to the metropolitan region of Puerto Rico.
- The applicant must have experience in community development and be able to moderate group discussions, document projects, and contribute to the development of new tools and strategies through reports, blog posts, photographs, and recordings.
Request for materials and requirements
Up to two (2) proposals per artist will be accepted for consideration. Proposals must be submitted via email to [email protected] and must include the following:
- A complete copy of the application form (included at the end of the Request for Proposals)
- Copy of the applicant's resume (maximum two pages).
- A cover letter that briefly outlines how the proposed project will be carried out. (maximum one page, single-spaced, 12-point font)
- A letter of interest from the community-based organization chosen by the applicant to carry out the project.
- A description of the project that explains the pieces or artistic/musical/culinary work that will be created, the methods that will be used to create integration and public awareness, the methods that will be used to fulfill the project, the place and the entity or institution in which you intend to work.
- Scores and/or performance recordings, previous visual projects and/or culinary work. Include three to five (3-5) high-resolution images of previous projects.
- Visuals or sketches that can explain the proposed project in more detail. These can be hand-drawn images, digital images, photomontages, among others.
Additional Information
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us at: [email protected].
