+LAB Artist Residency Program

The +LAB Artist Residency is a community-based, engaged residency program seeking four artists to participate in a three-month immersive residency from June 1-August 31, 2019. The residency focuses on addressing displacement in Los Angeles' Little Tokyo and invites community-engaged artists to work with Little Tokyo stakeholders and residents to create projects addressing the theme: How can creative strategies and artistic interventions positively impact the devastation caused by past and present development that threaten the sustainability of our community?

Selected artists will live at the Daimaru Hotel on First Street in Little Tokyo and be paired with a local arts organization (Japanese American Cultural & Community Center, Sustainable Little Tokyo, Visual Communications, or the Japanese American National Museum). Artists will work as a cohort with a shared workshop space and receive guidance from local artists and specialists. Projects should either refine the community's vision for contested parcels of land through interactive engagement with community members, or encourage the City of Los Angeles to implement Little Tokyo's vision and call attention to the legacy of displacement. Projects must be designed to be sustained by the community after the residency concludes.

The residency provides a $4,000 monthly stipend, up to $500 for round-trip in-state travel, and a project budget of up to $6,500. Housing is provided at the Daimaru Hotel with shared bathrooms and kitchen facilities. Wireless internet is available in the storefront space. Eligibility requirements include: California residency for at least one year, at least 21 years of age, not currently enrolled in a degree-seeking program, ability to participate for the full three-month period, agreement to live at the hotel for the entire residency, and a CV demonstrating at least five years of professional work. Artists of all disciplines may apply, though the residency may be best suited for those working with media, design, architecture, public practice, social practice, writing, or performance art. Application deadline: January 22, 2019 at 10:59 PST. Application fee: $15.