Open call for residency program 2019 – circus artists

04.01.2019.

Riga Circus Residency Program welcomes applications from contemporary circus artists and artists groups (up to 4 people; any of circus disciplines) from Lithuania, Estonia and Nordic states. The deadline is on May 19th (EXTENDED TO MAY 24TH!), 2019 and the residencies may take place from July 15th until September 15th, 2019.

THE PROGRAM

Supported by the Nordic Culture Point

Riga Circus Residency program is created as a laboratory for new forms of artistic research and art practices within the interdisciplinary field of art. We are located in Riga, Latvia, and open to contemporary circus artists, dancers, visual artists, filmmakers, dramaturges, designers, interdisciplinary artists. The Residency program simultaneously will host two artists or artist groups: one from the circus field and one from another art field. Our main mission is to promote contemporary artistic practices mainly focusing on circus development in Latvia and in the Baltic region. We are eager to foster exchange, discussion, experimentation and collaborative work.

During the residency, artists are expected to work on ideas for new performances or site-specific projects. Projects, which engage with the local community and/or art field, will be given priority.

Riga Circus building is one the oldest circuses in Europe being built in 1888, and the building is a cultural monument of State significance. It was founded by Albert Salamonsky – a brilliant German circus artist, horse trainer, equestrian and a director. The building was erected from the unique design blueprints of a Latvian architect Janis Fridrihs Baumanis and used such modern architecture elements as railroad rails as the basis for the building and dome structure which was an absolute novelty at that time.
In 2017 Riga Circus launched as a state-owned enterprise new strategy for circus development in the Latvian capital resurrecting the 1888 entertainment venue which occupies a prominent site within the historic city centre. Currently, the competition for the renovation of the historic building of the Riga Circus and development vision for the territory is taking place. In a couple of years, the Riga Circus building will go under reconstruction, so this is the last moment to experience the old Riga Circus.

 

APPLICATIONS

Deadline for applications: May 19th (EXTENDED TO MAY 24TH!)
Results:
May 31st
Residency period:
any time between July 15th and September 15th, 2019

Application documents:
– A short written application, explaining who you are and what project you would like to develop in Riga Circus Residency, as well as potential residency timing and duration – max 3600 characters;
– Visual material (footage, photos, design sketches, etc.) of the project or its idea – optional;
– Information on the technical requirements;
– Portfolio of previous performances – optional.

Please submit application documents until May 19th (EXTENDED TO MAY 24TH!) via e-mail: rezidences@cirks.lv

Presentation of the outcome: Artists in Residence are required to show the residency results to the public in a form of informal work-in-progress presentation.
The format can vary from brief scenes to video material, excerpts of movement material or a full run-through of a near-complete production.

 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

– The artists-in-residence must credit Riga Circus as a residency partner in all marketing and communications relating to the residency as well as the production developed during the residency.
– The artists-in-residence must have in place personal accident insurance that covers both rehearsal and performance for the entire working group.
– If the residency project requires equipment or other facilities not provided by Riga Circus, the Artists in Residence are responsible for acquiring the equipment as well as all of the costs for doing so.
– Riga Circus does not provide actual stage, lighting or sound design services nor operate the equipment during rehearsal or performances.
– In Riga Circus premises it is not allowed to use such materials or tools that may damage the facilities or equipment or cause extra cleaning needs. Such are e.g. dusting matters (as sand), incenses and liquids. The use of fire and smoke is strictly forbidden.
– It is not allowed to keep pets in Riga Circus studios or guest rooms.

 

TECHNICALITIES

 

COVERED BY THE PROGRAM

Travel costs (roundtrip in economy class from Europe to Riga)
Accommodation (in the building of Riga Circus)
Per diems are covered in the amount of 28 Eur per day.
Production costs 1200 Eur: for example, rigging support, scenography etc.

 

WORKING SPACE

The circus arena (Ø 11 m, uneven floor, no rigging possibilities);
The rehearsal room (7×4,2 m; no windows)

Access to circus equipment (landing mat, acrobatic tracks (2 cm), gym mats, and circus school equipment if needed to interact with the local community); 
access to the office facilities.

 

ACCOMMODATION

Private or shared rooms (9,5–18,5 sq. m) with basic facilities;
Shared kitchen, WC and showers.

Artists in residence will be provided with local guidance and introduction to Riga art scene.

 

For more information please contact curator of the residency program Odrija Fišere, e-mail: rezidences@cirks.lv 

 

Supported by: