Artist Residencies at Centrum

Support Individual Artists

We are proud to be a partner of Artist Trust--one of the nation's finest organizations--whose sole purpose is the support of individual artists.

On Saturday, February 7, 2009, Artist Trust is hosting their annual Benefit Art Auction--called Art Carnaval.

Inspired by the pageantry of Brazil's Carnaval, the art-filled evening will also feature Samba music by Kiko Freitas Band, Tudo Beleza dance group, solo guitar by Andre Feriante, and a festive feast and luscious libations.

Please consider attending and supporting the work of Artist Trust. They are an important part of why artists are able to make New Work happen.

"Awesome" Cistern Music at Sundance

I was recently talking with Centrum Resident David Mitsuo Nixon of  "Awesome". Described as a "theater - comedy - art collective", "Awesome" is a group of seven guys wearing suits and playing a unique mix of instruments... guitar, bass, drums, trumpet, accordian, mandolin, banjo, theremin, typewriter, kitchen utensils... pretty much anything within reach. While in residency back in March, "Awesome"  recorded in the Cistern, and David tells me that an extended improv session will be part of the soundtrack to a movie "Immaculate Conception of Little Dizzle", which has been accepted into the Sundance Film Festival. Nice going guys, and thanks for sending us the recording and a little view of the space. David will be back at Centrum in February.

March 2009 Residencies at Centrum

Here's some good news for artists and writers hoping for a "spring break"... a cancellation in the third week of March has opened up availability in Centrum's Artistic Residency program! March is a great time to be at Fort Worden on the Olympic Peninsula, and until this cancellation it was completely booked. We are accepting applications and project proposals for the 2009 season, so if you were hoping to get some creative time to yourself before the summer months kick in, get in touch with Lisa at lisa@centrum.org and get started. Check out the FAQ for information about Centrum New Works Residencies and how to apply.

Practice This! Marc Fendel on Jamming

Marc Fendel of the Seattle Drum School talks about Jam Sessions, how to prepare for them, and why it's important to participate in them. As a Centrum resident, Marc and his band have done some recording in the Cistern... which he promises to share when ready.

NYFA Current News

I just got my subscription email from the New York Foundation for the Arts. Here's an excerpt to their December 23rd online newsletter NYFA Current:

"Over the past year, NYFA Current has been committed to documenting the art-making process and its relation to present-day politics, particularly the economic downturn and issues in our environment. We’ve published three special issues—on New Orleans and art after the storm; a green issue featuring innovative social-art projects; and an issue on unregulated public artworks in rural and urban spaces. In the coming year, NYFA Current subscribers can expect continuing up-to-date coverage on the economy and how artists, foundations, and galleries are being affected. We’re also producing a special issue themed on money, spotlighting the financial crisis and, among other things, what artists can do to protect themselves." Timely, interesting, and helpful information well worth the subscription.

I read several great little pieces on New Works by artists all over the country, and particularly enjoyed a sneak peek at the latest edition of New American Paintings - juried exhibitions in print.

Centrum Residency as "Hurrication"?

We get all kinds of proposals from artists and writers interested in Centrum Residencies. Frederick Mead's recent proposal is as unique as you'd expect from the writer/director of the San Francisco production "The Kung Fu Evangelist". Frederick is a Centrum alumni with a great solution to hurricane season in his hometown of New Orleans... he has arranged his next residency for August and September of 2009. He has even gone so far as to reach out to other writers around the country, and is forming a collaborative residency that promises to be a real treat. Frederick talks about his 2008 residency in his always entertaining blog.

Winter Residency, Poetic Storm

"Everyone should get a chance like this. Everyone should have a week to experience their unrequited life, with dreams come true. Here it is for me... It's my dream life."

Poet and Visual Artist Rick Sievers spent a stormy week in residence at Centrum. He walked the beach and trails, took great photos, even had some fun with the old upright piano in his cabin... and still managed to produce an impressive body of poetry. Check out his blog Human Doing, Human Being for a peek at a writer's winter residency.

"We Are Golden" Releases Debut EP

Sarah Rudinoff and Gretta Harley are "We Are Golden", fronting a seven member band that's been wowing Seattle audiences since the release of their five song debut album.

Sarah sent us this link to "I'll Meet You There", written during their June 2008 residency at Centrum. You can hear and buy the full EP album on their website. Thanks for the update ladies!

Baroque Meets Grunge - an Interview with Morten Skovgaard Danielsen

Danish composer Morten Skovgaard Danielsen used his month long residency at Centrum to work on his latest project, a commissioned opera. In an interview with "Basically Modern", he talks about the opera, his early work, and the influences on his music.  

NEA Supports Artistic Residencies

 

Outgoing NEA Chairman Dana Gioia recently announced the creation of a new funding category for artists’ communities - those organizations whose primary purpose is to promote and provide artistic residency programs. Mario Garcia Durham, NEA’s Director of Presenting, will oversee “Artists’ Communities” at the NEA. Here’s an excerpt from Chairman Gioia’s letter to the Alliance of Artist Communities…

 

"I have always understood the critical role that Artist Communities play
in American Culture. You are a unique field whose main focus is on the
individual artist. You play an irreplaceable role in this nation’s
artistic creativity and vision.

It is for these reasons that on October 31st the NEA’s National Council
on the Arts approved the creation of a new field designation for Artist
Communities. This is the first NEA new field designation in over a
decade.

 

Beginning this January, standing proudly along the fields of Music,
Dance, Theater, Opera, Visual Arts, and Literature will be the new, and
distinct, designation of Artist Communities."