AIR Artist-in-Residence Program at Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator

AIR is a one-of-a-kind residency program housed at Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI) that invites three research-led Los Angeles-based artists annually to join a community of innovators in addressing the climate crisis. The residency runs approximately June through December 2020, with a culminating work-in-progress exhibition in January 2021. Based in the Arts District in Downtown Los Angeles, the program provides a $13,000 total stipend over six months ($12,000 cash stipend plus $1,000 consumables stipend for materials), research and collaboration opportunities with leading minds in cleantech, and training and access to over $10 million of prototyping equipment via the Advanced Prototyping Center (APC). Selected artists may continue APC membership for an additional six months at no cost, enabling twelve months of access to state-of-the-art tools, equipment and expertise through May 2021.

Eligibility is restricted to Los Angeles area artists only, defined as a maximum one-hour commute to/from LACI within Los Angeles County boundaries. Preference is given to artists resident in the Los Angeles area for a minimum of three consecutive years. Artists must have completed education a minimum of five years prior to applying or display equivalent professional experience. Current students and recent graduates are not eligible. Artists must maintain their own studio or home workspace and work onsite at LACI a minimum of 12 hours per week throughout the six-month residency (LACI/APC hours: Monday–Friday, 9am–7pm). Absence exceeding two weeks during the residency is not permitted unless discussed in advance. Artists' work must utilize both the technical and intellectual capacity of LACI through collaboration with the network and use of the APC. AIR is open to individual artists only; artist teams and assistants cannot be accommodated. Employees or affiliate members of LACI companies or programs are not eligible.

Applicants must submit 7–10 images, and may include up to 3 audio files and 3 video files. Resident artists are required to participate in public talks, presentations, workshops, monthly status meetings, a 2-day LACI orientation (tentatively March 31–April 1, 2020), and 5-day full-time APC training (anticipated late May/early June 2020). Artists must create a limited edition work using APC equipment; half of the edition is retained by the artist and half is donated to LACI (minimum edition size 12 + APs). Artists retain full copyright of their work. Resident artists must participate in the work-in-progress exhibition and group panel discussion and remain in contact with AIR after the residency concludes.