2023 Camera Obscura Art Lab Studio Residency

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

Three residency terms are available: January 25–May 3, 2023; May 17–August 23, 2023; and September 6–December 20, 2023. The selection panel will select either two individual artists, one collective, or a combination to share the 46'x16' dividable studio space for each period. 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. Studio access is 8:00am–10:00pm Monday–Friday and 9:30am–10:00pm Saturday–Sunday. Residents must utilize the studio at least three times per week and present at least four online participatory workshops for the public plus a final online presentation. Online workshops range from 2–3 hours and focus on arts/crafts skills, community building, and hands-on participation. Equipment provided includes tables, chairs, whiteboard, video projector/screen, relief printing press, and various craft equipment, plus electricity, free Wi-Fi, and kitchen access.

Eligibility is open to all artists, artisans and makers residing in Los Angeles County, including artist teams and MFA students in their final year. 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. Applications are evaluated by a panel of arts professionals based on quality of previous work, proposed residency plan, ability to design and implement effective interactive online activities, and suitability of the artist's practice for the space. Notification of selected residents will take place mid-December 2022. Contact Clove Galilee at [email protected] or (310) 458-8350 extension 6 for questions.