A4 Virtual Residency

Program Description
A4 Virtual Residency (A4VR) is a four-month pilot program designed to focus on the artists’ process of creating new work and cohort development of multidisciplinary emerging and mid-career artists. Exploring an alternative residency model in the digital space at its core, the A4 Virtual Residency is presented as a collectively led artist group, fostering a grounded, intersectional creative space for artists to experiment, exchange ideas and skills, collaborate on projects, share resources for dialogue with fellow artists, provide feedback, and hold each other accountable in following through deadlines and opportunities.

This program is a way for A4 to rethink sustainable artist-run practices and how digital organizing can be implemented in artists’ day-to-day practice while building and deepening connections through screens. Each cohort consists of 5-12 artists across all disciplines, and participating artists will meet for a 90-minute session on a biweekly basis. Each session is led by participating artist(s); artists are required to sign up as a sole facilitator or a co-facilitator for at least one session. At the request of the A4VR cohort, A4 may bring in experts in specific areas to provide support based on the participating residents’ needs.

Participation Criteria
A4 Virtual Residency aims to be responsive to artists’ multi- and interdisciplinary practices and the current sociocultural landscape, and the goal is to create a productive, diverse, and dynamic cohort of artists from visual arts, performing arts, social practice, digital media, and literary arts.

The participation criteria consists of artists who are:
* Creating and developing new and original work
* In need of a structure to foster a rigorous practice
* Looking to build an engaging, collaborative, close-knit artist community
* Able to make a serious commitment to participate in all 8 sessions
* Looking for new opportunities, resources, and perspectives
* Interested in building leadership and professional development skills

Key Dates:
Bi-Weekly Sessions Tentative Dates | 90-minute sessions (duration may be extended at the request of participating artists)

Launch of A4 Virtual Residency + Session 1: Monday, December 7 | 6:00 - 7:30 pm
Session 2: Monday, December 21 | 6:00 - 7:30 pm
Session 3: Monday, January 4 | 6:00 - 7:30 pm
Session 4: Tuesday, January 19 | 6:00 - 7:30 pm
Session 5: Monday, February 1 | 6:00 - 7:30 pm
Session 6: Monday, February 15 | 6:00 - 7:30 pm
Session 7: Monday, March 1 | 6:00 - 7:30 pm
Session 8: Monday, March 15 | 6:00 - 7:30 pm

A4 Virtual Residency FAQs
Is the residency open for artists living outside of New York?
Yes, the A4 Virtual Residency is open to all artists regardless of their city or country of residence.

Do I have to be an Asian American in order to participate in the A4 Virtual Residency?
No.

Do I have to be proficient in English in order to participate?
This residency will be conducted fully in English. In order to get as much out of the program as possible, we recommend that you assess your comfort level in the language prior to applying.

Will all the sessions take place online?
Yes, all the sessions will take place online via Zoom meetings. No sessions will be held in person. This is an entirely virtual residency program.

Is there a fee to be part of this virtual residency?
No, this is a free residency. Selected artists will not be asked to pay any fees to participate in the program.

Will the residency provide a production grant to participating artists?
No production grant will be offered at this round of the residency.

How long is the program and when will the sessions be held?
This is a pilot program that runs for four months. Sessions will be held on a bi-weekly basis. Exact dates and times will be shared with the participants once the program begins.

What is expected from each participating artist during the residency?
A4 Virtual Residency aims to create an intersectional creative space for artists to experiment, exchange ideas and skills, collaborate on projects, share resources for dialogue with fellow artists. The only requirements are for participating artists to commit to attending all 8 bi-weekly sessions, facilitate or co-facilitate one of those sessions, and be willing to be fully present and supportive of their peers during the program. Participating artists will be required to fill out an evaluation at the end of the A4VR in order to help determine the direction of the program moving forward.

Are there guidelines or paremeters to keep in mind when planning to facilitate?
Facilitation is participant-led and is open-ended to leave room for creativity, experimentation, and resource sharing. The only thing we ask is that content you propose includes helpful information to your peers across artistic disciplines, or a structure or shared experience to help with the artistic process, as well as a component for interactivity and participation.

What information should I include in my work description?
We’d like to know what forms the basis of your practice as an artist to ensure there is a diverse mix of disciplines and focus in the cohort.