Installation Residency

Notice: This residency is temporarily on hold until funding is secured. Please check back for an update, or for more timely announcements, follow our instagram @millerartgallery_kutztown

Overview

The Marlin and Regina Miller Art Gallery at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania requests proposals from artists, crafts persons, and designers for the production of an original, temporary, site-specific installation for our exhibition space. The selected artist (or artist team) will receive $10,000 (in installments, see below). The payment to the artist must cover all material and labor costs associated with the production of the work, all incidental costs, meals, transportation costs, housing, and all artist fees and honoraria.

Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, located one hour north of Philadelphia and two hours west of New York City, has an enrollment of 8,500+ students. Each year, our College of Visual and Performing Arts awards over 200 undergraduate degrees in Communication Design, Animated Arts, Cinema & Television Production, Studio Art, Art History, Art Education, and Crafts; and graduate degrees in Arts Administration, Communication Design, and Art Education. Our Visual Arts programs are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.

Institutional Support

The Marlin and Regina Miller Art Gallery and Kutztown University of Pennsylvania will:

• Produce and distribute press-releases and exhibition announcements about the project
• Coordinate and assist with press appearances and interviews
• Publicize the project on the gallery and university's web sites and local media
• Publicize and coordinate a public lecture by the selected artist
• Host a public reception for the artist and project
• Provide access to student assistants
• Provide installation tools and assistance
• Provide vinyl wall text title for the exhibition
• Provide access to specialized studios (depending on training)

This is not a collaborative project between the artist(s) and the gallery. The artist(s) is solely responsible for completing all creative and technical aspects of their project. The gallery can only provide the support and benefits detailed above.

Criteria for Selection

Proposed artwork can be realized in any medium and there are no restrictions on form or content. However, proposals that demonstrate innovation and deep, nuanced understanding of contemporary art, craft, or design are preferred. Proposals must be for a site-specific installation and must differ greatly from a proposal for a solo exhibition. Preference will be given to proposals that have a strong student involvement component. Previously completed artwork may be incorporated into the final exhibition, but must not comprise the majority of the exhibition.

The committee includes seven representatives from the Visual Arts departments at Kutztown University. All members review the applications individually, and rate the proposals from 1-10. The three artists receiving the highest ratings are chosen as the finalists. Each finalist will be contacted for further discussions, and one will be recommended and contacted for contract negotiations.

All proposals will be reviewed for overall artistic merit, impact on the experience of our students & community, feasibility within the established time-frame and budget, artist's demonstration of ability to complete such a project (as evidenced by past projects or a detailed work plan and budget for the KU project), and the relationship of the project to the gallery's mission.

Gallery’s Mission Statement:
The Marlin and Regina Miller Art Gallery of Kutztown University presents significant and professionally executed solo and group exhibitions of contemporary art in a variety of mediums as well as supporting programs, events, and services that will directly enhance the artistic and philosophical development of our students and will contribute to the lives of residents within our service area. We strive to challenge assumptions and stimulate discussion by presenting artwork and programs relevant to the social and cultural life of the general and special populations in our region.

Other criteria that the committee may consider:

• Artist’s education and professional background
• History of solo/group exhibitions
• Experience in an academic environment (teaching, lecturing, and/or exhibiting)
• Will consider the subject matter and materials in relation to the past/future exhibits planned in the gallery
• Background and references checks

Space Description

• Facility description and floor plan
• Images of past Artist in Residence exhibits
• Detailed images of the space

The gallery space is 59’10.5” long by 39’8” wide. The floor is bamboo over concrete slab. The outer surrounding wall height is 10’5”. The walls are drywall over plywood nail base. The space above the hanging wall is painted black to conceal the HVAC and mechanicals. The space is illuminated by up to 75, 100-watt track lights in dimmers (four circuits). The walls are broken by 24” diameter engaged metal columns (columns cannot be drilled into). Distance between columns are indicated on the diagram.

There are 8 modular wall units, 8’ high x 8’wide x 2’ deep, that can be positioned within the space. The walls cannot be tipped over and used on the floor, but they can all be removed from the space.

Floors: The floors are bamboo wood over concrete. Artists may not drill into the floors. The floors are very susceptible to water damage. Floors cannot be sanded or painted.

Ceiling: The maximum ceiling height is approximately 15’. It also contains many hanging ducts, light tracks, and sprinkler pipes. It is not permitted to hang anything off these components. There are cement board covers over I beams every 6’, that run across the width of the gallery ceiling. Heavy-duty anchors have been placed in the cement board every 6 feet. Each anchor can hold approximately 20 pounds.

Entrance: The entry to the gallery is through two glass doors that open into a 25’ drywalled hallway. There is a light track here and artwork/installation may go into this space as well. This wall is floor to ceiling windows that look upon the courtyard. It is a highly visible space to university pedestrians. Window film or other window artwork is encouraged. There is a gallery reception area with a curved desk where a reception attendant sits, and curved wall behind the desk (drywall) that can be used for hanging. Vinyl wall text for the exhibit is often on either the curved wall or the long corridor wall.

Windows: There are no windows in the gallery space but there are floor to ceiling windows in the corridor outside the gallery. The windows are treated with a UV filter film. Natural light does flood the gallery and it is challenging to completely darken the space. There are black out curtains that can be drawn across the front three arches, if your project requires a darkened space, please mention this is your proposal).

Tech available: Two 55” Roku Digital TVs & Three digital projectors (2 InFocus, 1 Ben Q)

Payment

The selected artist will be paid a $10,000 fee for this project These funds may be awarded in three phases. The project must be complete to receive the last payment. (The funds are not awarded in one lump sum before the project is completed).

This payment must cover all costs associated with the production of the piece, all labor and materials fees, transportation, housing for the artist (and any assistants).

Other Details

Student Collaborations: The artist in residence is a core part of the curriculum at KU, providing access and mentoring opportunities for students in all the visual art majors. Artists are expected to interact and involve the students in as many ways as possible, but take note that their availability and skill set are limited.

Transportation Details: Philadelphia or New York is the closest large metropolitan city. Allentown airport is 30 minutes away. .

Housing Details: Artists are required to be on campus Monday – Friday (this is flexible). Travel back and forth to the artists permanent home is permitted if possible and needed. Artist(s) will have 24/7 accessibility to the gallery but using the space or other public/private university locations for sleeping is not permitted. For local options please check Kutztown Main Street Inn, Kutztown Hilton Suites, AirBNB.com, and HomeAway.com.

Preparator: An onsite professional preparator is available for 5, 8 hour days. If the project requires highly skilled assistance in technology or a specialized technique, the artist must plan for it themselves, and the fee and accompanying costs for this person must come out of the payments awarded to the artist. There are no additional funds for professional assistants.

Lecture: A public lecture will be required, preferably after the opening reception in a university lecture hall. This lecture and slide show should cover the artist’s education and inspiration, past work, research and techniques, exhibition history, and any other insights the artist would like to give.

Sales: Any inquiries for the sale of artwork in this exhibition will be directed to the artist. The university does not take a fee nor does it contribute to any sales negotiations.

Images: Kutztown University will request an image courtesy credit for any images of the installation used by the artist in the future. KU students are available to assist with professional photography and documentation of the installation process and final images. The catalog published (after the residency) can be comprised of images taken by both students and the artist, and the artist will receive proofs and input on design and content suggestions prior to printing.

Contract Details

As per required by the State System of Higher Education in PA, a service contract must be signed by the artist or artist team and fully executed by the signatories of the PA State System prior to the start of any work. If the artist does irreparable harm to the gallery while pursuing unapproved installation methods, the artist will be liable for repair fees. Artist is responsible to have their own appropriate personal or commercial liability insurance to cover any and all liability and/or expenses, that may occur as a result of injury sustained to you or damage to University premises while rendering your services at Kutztown University. At any time during the contract negotiations, if the committee feels the project cannot be executed as proposed, the university has the right to withdraw the offer. The contract is not considered fully executed until signed by artist and the designated signatories of the PA System of Higher Education.

Frequently Asked Questions