On March 17th, Rethinking Residencies, a newly initiated working group of eleven New York-based artist residency programs, will present its first public event at the International Studio & Curatorial Program (ISCP). Moderated by Martha Wilson, this panel discussion includes Kari Conte, Maia Murphy, Laurel Ptak, and Nicholas Weist.
Panelists will pose significant questions on issues of cultural production and organizational practice as they relate to residency programs. How can modes of collaboration in residency programs adapt to the changing needs of artists, curators and institutions? How do broader political and economic realities impact artist residency programs today? What effect has the changing cultural climate of New York City had on the lives and practice of artists? How can organizations balance growth with sustainability? Pragmatically and programmatically, what are the ramifications or alternatives to expanding? What is the strangest residency program out there?
Rethinking Residencies
Rethinking Residencies is a working group of New York-based artist residency programs. Initiated in March 2014, its members share knowledge and resources, while cultivating critical thinking and discourse about residencies.
Collaborating organizations represent a wide range of models, scales and approaches and include Eyebeam, Fire Island Artist Residency, International Studio & Curatorial Program (ISCP), Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC), The Laundromat Project, Queens Museum, Recess, the Shandaken Project, Skowhegan School of Painting & Sculpture, EFA Project Space’s SHIFT Residency, and Triangle Arts Association.
Upcoming Rethinking Residencies programs include a New York City residency mixer at the Queens Museum in May 2015 and a major conference on residencies during the summer of 2016.
Participant Biographies
Martha Wilson is a pioneering feminist artist who during the past four decades has created innovative photographic and performance works that explore her female subjectivity through role-playing and “invasions” of other people’s personae. In 1976 she founded Franklin Furnace, an artist-run space in New York that champions the exploration, promotion and preservation of artists’ books, installation and performance art, video and art online.
Kari Conte is a New York-based curator and writer. Since 2010, she has been the Director of Programs and Exhibitions at the International Studio & Curatorial Program (ISCP), where she leads residencies, exhibitions, and public programs.
Maia Murphy is a curator and writer based in New York. She is currently the Program Director for Recess, a nonprofit artist workspace that is open to the public. At once a studio and exhibition space, Recess presents projects that embrace experimentation and focus on process.
Laurel Ptak is an artist, curator and educator known for creating discursive platforms that allow for dialogue and critical engagement. Named one of 100 Leading Global Thinkers in 2014 by Foreign Policy, she currently teaches at The New School and serves as Executive Director of Triangle Arts Association, a 33-year-old artist-founded residency program within an international network of arts organizations around the world.
Nicholas Weist is the founding director of the Shandaken Project, which offers a process-focused residency program now produced in collaboration with Storm King Art Center. Weist has organized presentations by artists internationally, and writes about art and culture for Frieze, Art in America, Interview, Document Journal, and many others.
