PlatteForum Resident Artist Application

PlatteForum is an award-winning arts, youth development, social justice and artist-in-residence program in Denver, founded in 2002. As a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, PlatteForum teams youth with professional artists in intensive, structured, and long-term creative learning environments. The organization supports the creation and presentation of new art and ideas by contemporary artists, generating dialogue about the role of the artist and social justice in society. PlatteForum's dynamic, artist-centered residences are built upon engaging the broader community in the creation of new work, where artists, youth, and the public collaborate.

Residencies at PlatteForum are competitive with over 100 applications and only four to five slots awarded each year. Residencies are typically 6-8 weeks in duration, with time slots following the approximate schedule: Residency A (Jan-March 2023), Residency B (March-May 2023), and Residency C (June-July 2023). The program is open to artists in all genres and disciplines, including established professional artists, emerging artists, and graduate students. Artistic excellence, merit, and creative ways of interacting with the public are important selection criteria. Former Resident Artists may apply again after a three-year waiting period. An interdisciplinary selection committee will consider applications, with artists notified of acceptance no later than June 1st, 2021.

PlatteForum provides resident artists a stipend of $350/week, plus staff support, program administration, workshop support, youth workshop supplies, an opening event, press releases, marketing, and promotional collateral. Housing and transportation support are provided for out-of-town artists. Professional documentation of the culminating exhibition or performance is provided for the artist's portfolio. An additional $250 is offered for participation in the ArtMoves Podcast program, and a $200 stipend is paid for pre-residency planning. Resident artists have 24-hour access to studio and workshop spaces and wireless internet throughout the facility. There are no residency fees. Resident Artists dedicate 4-6 hours each week to work with high school-aged youth from historically marginalized communities in intensive workshops, culminating in a public exhibition or performance where the work of the Resident Artist and youth are presented together. Free social-emotional support from YouthSeen is available during the residency term.

Application materials required: Artist Statement (1000 character limit), Community Engagement Statement (1000 character limit), Resume/CV, and 8-10 work sample images. Audio or video samples must be submitted as links only, limited to less than 2 minutes each, with title, brief description, and link listed in the resume/CV. Entry fee is $35.00. Contact [email protected] with application questions.