European Space Agency ESA Residency Award 2016

Deadline extended! Artists from all countries are invited to apply for a residency at the European Space Agency in the framework of the European Digital Art and Science Network. This call is open to digital artists to propose innovative concepts and ideas in the field of art, science and technology.

After three successful cycles of the art&science Residency Award, the new scientific partner is presented for the fourth Residency in the framework of the European Digital Art and Science Network: ESA – the European Space Agency.

The residency will again be part of the “European Digital Art and Science Network” initiated by Ars Electronica and seven cultural partners throughout Europe (Center for the promotion of science, RS; DIG Gallery, SK; Zaragoza City of Knowledge Foundation, ES; Kapelica Gallery / Kersnikova, SI; GV Art, UK; Laboral, ES; Science Gallery, IE) with the support of the Creative Europe Program of the EU.

Artists above the age of 18 from all countries are invited to apply for a residency at ESA. The winning artist is subject to obtaining clearance to work on site at ESA-ESTEC. This call is open to digital artists to propose innovative concepts and ideas in the field of art, science and technology.

The Residency is divided in two parts – with an initial 2–6 weeks at the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) in Noordwijk, The Netherlands. ESTEC is ESA’s technical heart, where most projects are born and guided through the various phases of development. There, the winning artist will work with ESA’s science communications, outreach, and education group, and with one or more scientific mentors, chosen on the basis of the art project’s focus, to inspire him/her and his/her work.

During her/his residency, the artist will be able to focus on any subject from ESA’s space science programme, although the two upcoming landing events mentioned below may be of particular interest. The submitted idea/project must already reflect what the artist is interested and on which subject she/he wants to realize her/his project.

The second part of the residency will be a month with the Futurelab team and a mentor at Ars Electronica Linz, with whom the winner will develop and make new work inspired by their stay at ESA. The Ars Electronica Futurelab focuses on the future of the nexus of art, technology, and society. The lab’s team bases its work commitment upon transdisciplinary research and work which results in a variety of different disciplines. Having artists and researchers from all over the globe collaborating with – and taking residencies at – the Ars Electronica Futurelab, is fundamental to this Atelier/Laboratory.

EXTENDED submission deadline: June 20, 2016 (11:59 PM UTC+1)

See website for details of how to apply

Artists can register under artandscience-esa.aec.at and load up their submission including their idea/s which they want to realize within the residency program. They can choose if they want to be part of the Rosetta/ExoMars Landing or the Space Programs of the European Space Agency… After the residency at ESTEC with a specially dedicated science mentor, they will have another residency at the Ars Electronica Futurelab to create a new artwork based on the experiences at ESTEC… This outcome will then be presented at the Ars Electronica Festival 2017 and at modular/mobile exhibitions throughout Europe (at the seven partner institutions of the European Digital Art and Science Network).
There is no fee for submitting an idea on the database. The chosen artist will get a fee of 3000 Euros plus travel and accommodation as well as the production of the new artwork and the residencies itself (scientific mentoring etc.).

About

In cooperation with seven artistic & cultural institutions as well as ESA–European Space Agency, CERN and the ESO–European Southern Observatory, Ars Electronica launched the European Digital Art and Science Network, an international initiative offering artists the chance to spend several weeks at the CERN, the ESO and the Ars Electronica Futurelab. The network aims to link up scientific aspects and ideas with approaches used in digital art. Fostering interdisciplinary work and intercultural exchange as well as gaining access to new target audiences are among its declared goals. There is also strong emphasis on art’s role as a catalyst in processes of social renewal. By creating images and narratives dealing with the potential risks and rewards inherent in technological and scientific development, artists exert an important influence on how our society comes to terms with these innovations.

After three successful cycles of the art&science Residency Award, we are very happy to present our new scientific partner for the fourth residency in the realm of the European Digital Art and Science Network: ESA – the European Space Agency. The residency will again be part of the „European Digital Art and Science Network“ initiated by Ars Electronica and seven cultural partners throughout Europe (Center for the promotion of science, RS – DIG Gallery, SK – Zaragoza City of Knowledge Foundation, ES – Kapelica Gallery / Kersnikova, SI – GV Art, UK – Laboral, ES – Science Gallery, IE) with the support of the Creative Europe Program of the EU. Artists from any country are invited to apply for a residency at the ESA. This call is open for digital artists, innovative concepts and ideas in the field of art, science and technology.

Image: Testing a satellite of the BepiColombo mission at the ESA Large Space Simulator. Credit: ESA / Anneke Le Floc’h