2021 Camera Obscura Art Lab Studio Residency

Santa Monica Cultural Affairs seeks proposals from artists and artisans living in Los Angeles County for a fourteen-week studio residency at the Camera Obscura Art Lab in Palisades Park, Santa Monica. The studio features a glass-walled workspace with ocean views in an iconic midcentury park building overlooking the Santa Monica Pier, four blocks from the Expo line terminus.

Three fourteen-week terms are available: January 20 – April 28, 2021; May 12 – August 18, 2021; or September 1 – December 15, 2021. The selection panel will choose either two individual artists, one collective, or a combination to share the 46'x16' dividable studio space for each term. All disciplines and mediums are considered. An honorarium of $2,500 and use of the facility for a final exhibit/presentation is offered to successful applicants. Parking validations in a local structure are available if desired.

Residents must present at least four online participatory workshops for the public and a final online presentation, with workshops ranging from 2-3 hours focusing on arts/crafts skills and hands-on participation. Residents must utilize the studio at least three times per week. Studio access is 8:00am-10:00pm M-F and 9:30am-10:00pm Sat-Sun. Available equipment includes tables, chairs, whiteboard, video projector/screen, relief printing press, and various craft equipment. Electricity, free City Wi-Fi, and kitchen access are provided. Work must be appropriate for a general audience and visible to the public. The studio is lockable but part of a shared space; fragile, hazardous, or very valuable materials are not allowed.

Eligibility is open to all artists, artisans, and makers residing in Los Angeles County. Artist teams and partnerships are considered. Applicants who have received a Santa Monica Artist Residency or Fellowship in the past two years, are current grantees or resident artists through another City of Santa Monica program, or are employed by or serve on a Board or Commission of the City of Santa Monica are not eligible. Selection is based on quality of previous work, proposed residency plan, ability to design and implement effective interactive online activities, and suitability of practice for the space. Notification of selected residents will take place mid-November 2020.