Open Call: 2024 Design Residency on Governors Island

Organization: Institute for Public Architecture
Website: https://instituteforpublicarchitecture.org/

Posted: December 4, 2023 | Closing: December 22, 2023

Job Description

The Institute for Public Architecture is now accepting applications for the 2024 Spring and Summer Residency programs, taking place March 1–May 17 and June 1–August 17, 2024 respectively. Spend eleven weeks living and working in a collaborative environment within a landmarked building in the midst of New York harbor. ⁠

Applications are due by December 22, 2023 at the-ipa.org/open-call

Introduction

The Institute for Public Architecture (IPA) welcomes applications for the 2024 Spring and Summer Independent Projects Residency based at the historic Block House on Governors Island.

Emerging and mid-career architects, urbanists, landscape architects, designers, and those committed to the public realm in all disciplines are invited to apply. Applicants will bring their own interests and projects to the program and will receive opportunities to present their work to the public over the course of the Residency. Fellows receive project support through access to subject matter experts and resources relevant to their project.

IPA Fellows are among the first civilian residents to live on the Island since the Coast Guard’s exit in 1996. Fellows will enjoy unparalleled historic, natural, and urban resources with direct access to downtown Manhattan and waterfront Brooklyn neighborhoods via ferry. The IPA, a long-term tenant on Governors Island together with Billion Oyster Project, the Harbor School, Earth Matter, Beam Center and Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, is one of more than twenty arts, cultural, educational, and environmental nonprofit organizations operating on the Island, forming a unique community that connects with a diverse and growing audience of nearly one million annual visitors.

Who Should Apply

The Residency program is open to local and global applicants from diverse backgrounds, educations, experiences, and aspirations at any stage of their career. Applicants may be architects, urbanists, landscape architects, or designers working in theoretical or practical disciplines, with an emphasis on the public realm. The program is especially well-suited for those on sabbatical or with funded projects. The program is not open to current students.

The Residency program in intended for applicants with a clearly developed focus and/or approach who need time and space to work independently within the context of a supportive communal environment. Fellows are encouraged to skill-share and engage with their cohort through both planned and spontaneous activities throughout the Residency.

Although collaborators may apply, each applicant must complete an individual application and will be evaluated separately, with no guarantee that both collaborators will be selected.

︎︎︎ See previous Fellows

Program Goals

This program is designed for applicants with research and design projects at any stage of development who would benefit from sharing their work in the collective, interdisciplinary context of the Residency. To that end, time will be set aside throughout the Residency for Fellows to present and discuss their work with the cohort, IPA staff, guests, and the public.

During the Residency, Fellows’ work can be presented in any format: academic papers, articles, and/or book chapters, film, installations, drawings, models, macquettes, and other media. The program will culminate in an exhibition of work at the Block House, and will be published on the IPA’s digital channels and website.

Program Structure

The Independent Projects Residency offers applicants the opportunity to bring their own interests and projects to New York City, with its vast network of expertise and leadership in the fields of architecture, urbanism, and design. Fellows will present the progress of their work to the public at Open [Block] House events throughout the Residency on Governors Island. Each Fellow will also receive project support through the IPA’s network of subject matter experts and resources.

Programming includes:

Open [Block] House: a series of public events at the Block House that welcome visitors and invited guests to engage in conversation and review project progress with Fellows.

Weekend Open Library: visitors are welcomed into the Block House library and gallery on weekends. Fellows are invited to interact with visitors and voluntarily display their progress.

Dinner Parties: a series of organized meals are held throughout the program and will welcome professionals, esteemed guests and former fellows to a casual evening dinner with Fellows.

Internal Cohort Activities: Fellows are invited to participate in urban walking tours, field trips, outings, museum and archive visits, and events held by other Island organizations and in the New York City region. Activities vary with each program to take advantage of each season.

︎︎︎ See previous programs

Selection

The selection of Fellows will be based on experience, intent and relevance of their project to the IPA’s mission of addressing social, physical and environmental inequities in the city. An independent selection committee composed of experts within the fields of architecture and design will review applications (to be announced shortly). Preference will be given to project proposals that make clear how the applicant will benefit from being based in New York City and on Governors Island.

Fellow Responsibilities

Fellows will be expected to:

Live and work collectively with other Fellows, regularly engaging in communal cohort activities.

Purchase their own groceries and any other personal items throughout the Residency (with the exception of occasional catered events).

Keep private and communal areas tidy.

Participate in public presentations of work.

Submit work completed during the Residency to the IPA before the conclusion of the program

Practical Info

Duration

Applications for the eleven (11) week Spring and Summer Residencies are open. Applicants must indicate to which program they are applying. Applicants may ask to be considered for both programs but will be selected for only one, depending on availability.

Spring Independent Projects Residency (11 weeks): March 1–May 17, 2024

Summer Independent Projects Residency (11 weeks): June 1–August 17, 2024

How to Apply

Applicants should submit the following documentation through the online form. Links to outside websites or files are not accepted and will not be considered in the review process.

Statement of interest: Describe (1) how you would use your time at the Residency, (2) the relevance of New York City to your proposed project, and (3) how living/working on Governors Island may benefit your work. (maximum 500 words)

Research/Design proposal: Summary of the research or design work to be developed during the Residency program. Work can be ongoing or a new endeavor. (maximum 500 words)

References: Two references with full name and current email addresses. Recommendation letters are not required.

Curriculum vitae. (PDF format, maximum 5MB)

Work samples: Relevant research or work samples and/or portfolio. (PDF format, maximum 10MB)

︎︎︎ Apply

Program Fee

The Program Fee is $3,500 for the Spring program and $3,750 for the Summer program per Fellow for the 11-week period. In addition to the Program Fee, a Room Fee ranging from $2,750–$3,000 is required. The Room Fee varies depending on the room the Fellow selects.

Fellows are encouraged to seek partial or full financial support from their institutions or other funding sources to offset the Program and Room Fees. Successful applicants must submit a non-refundable $1,000 deposit to secure a spot in the program. The rest of the fees are due in full on the first day of the respective program. Room selection occurs at the time of the payment of the full Room Fee, first-come, first-serve.

Program Fee Breakdown

The Program Fee includes:

Registration
A ‘visiting critic’ and final exhibition budget for each Fellow
Cohort activities, including walking tours, museum visits and more
An internal cohort workshop with invited guests
An optional excursion at the conclusion of the Residency
Occasional communal meals and dinner party expenses
In-house program and facilities staff

The Room Fee includes:

A private bedroom with individual climate control, supplied with a full (double) bed, pillows, sheets, towel and a full closet
A personal desk and chair in the communal studio area with a lockable cabinet
Shared bathrooms and in-house laundry with washer and dryer
A fully-equipped shared kitchen and dining room with a standard oven, fridge, microwave, blender, and tableware
Common workspaces and living areas
Outdoor areas adjacent to the house with tables, chairs and open space
High-speed internet within the Block House
24-hour Island security
The first lunch, dinner and breakfast upon arrival to the Block House
Unlimited ferry rides between Governors Island and Manhattan

Program Fee Waivers

We understand that the cost of the Residency might be a barrier to entry for some applicants. The IPA offers a limited number of need-based partial Program Fee waivers. If you are interested in applying for a Program Fee Waiver, indicate this on the application. Requests must be submitted through the application and will not be considered after the general deadline.

The aim of the Program Fee Waiver is to address systemic barriers that some applicants may face. Any information submitted will remain confidential for the use of the IPA in determining applicant’s need for financial support. Successful applicants will be informed if they have been awarded a partial Program Fee Waiver when they are notified of their acceptance to the Residency.

Program Fee Waivers are evaluated separately from the rest of the application and submitting a request will not negatively affect an application. Please note we are currently unable to waive the Room Fee due to high facility costs.

Program Conclusion

At the end of the Residency, Fellows’ work will be exhibited at the Block House and submitted to the IPA for publication on digital channels and the website. Fellows should expect to receive feedback from invited guests. As an independent program, no official qualifications or diplomas are awarded.

Vehicle Access

Governors Island is a predominantly car-free space, with very limited vehicle access. Fellows will not be able to bring or use a vehicle on the Island during the Residency period. There are no stores on Governors Island; all groceries and other items must be purchased on the mainland and brought to the Island. Hand carts are available for Fellow use.

Notes

Upon request, the IPA can supply successful applicants with documentation of their invitation to participate in the Residency that may be used to apply for a Visa, grants or other related matters. The IPA is unable to directly assist with or provide Visas to international applicants. Please consult the Department of State’s website for more information on Visa requirements.

Materials submitted for and resulting from the Residency may be retained for use by the IPA for exhibition, publication, and promotional purposes, without compensation. The Fellow will retain full copyright of all materials resulting from the Residency unless otherwise stated. The IPA will not be held liable for any damages, errors or omissions.

By participating in the program, Fellows agree to be photographed and/or filmed and give permission to use their likeness in promotional and/or marketing materials.

At this time, the Block House is unable to accommodate Fellows’ families, domestic partners, or pets.

Inquries

info@the-ipa.org

How to Apply

https://instituteforpublicarchitecture.org/open-call

< View All Job Listings