2021/2022 PlatteForum Resident Artist Application

PlatteForum is an award-winning arts, youth development, and social justice organization in Denver, founded in 2002. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, PlatteForum teams youth from historically marginalized communities with professional artists in intensive, structured creative learning environments. The Artist Residency program is open to artists in all genres and disciplines, including established professionals, emerging artists, and graduate students. Applications from local, national, and international artists are welcome.

Residencies are competitive with over 100 applications and only four to five slots awarded each year. Residencies are typically 5-8 weeks in duration, with time slots following this approximate schedule: Residency A (Sept-Oct 2021), Residency B (Jan-March 2022), Residency C (March-May 2022), and Residency D (June-July 2022). Former Resident Artists may apply again after a three-year waiting period. Selection criteria include artistic excellence, innovative ideas for public engagement and collaboration, and diversity of ideas, genres, and methodologies. Artists will be notified of acceptance no later than June 1st, 2021.

PlatteForum provides resident artists with a $250/week stipend, staff support, program administration, workshop support, youth workshop supplies, an opening event, press releases, marketing, and professional documentation of the culminating exhibition or performance. An additional $250 is offered for participation in the ArtMoves Podcast program, and a $200 stipend is provided for pre-residency planning. Guest housing is provided by Night Window for out-of-town artists, including a private bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and laundry access. A free RTD public transportation pass is provided for the residency term. Resident artists have 24-hour access to gallery, studio, and workshop spaces, as well as wireless internet and printers. There are no residency fees.

Resident artists dedicate 4-6 hours per week to lead creative workshops with high school-aged youth and are asked to participate in a podcast paired with another speaker on a socially relevant topic. Each residency culminates in a public exhibition or performance where the work of the resident artist and youth are presented together. Application materials required: Artist Statement (1000 character limit), Community Engagement Statement (1000 character limit), Resume/CV, and 8-10 work sample images. Audio/video samples must be submitted as links only, limited to less than 2 minutes each. Entry fee: $35.00.