APPLICATION F.A.Q.

What are the general requirements?

You must be 21 years of age and older and not currently enrolled in a college or university program. Applicants that will have graduated at the time of their proposed residency are allowed.

WHAT IF I DON'T CONSIDER MYSELF A VISUAL ARTIST, BUT I WOULD STILL LIKE TO APPLY?

We welcome applications from anyone interested in applying for a residency. From designers and architects to self taught makers and musicians, RAIR offers opportunities and resources to people from many different fields of study. Much of what an applicant will be juried on is their proposal and work samples as well as an understanding of how work proposed makes sense at RAIR and how it benefits from the resources made available through the program. 

DOES RAIR PROVIDE ANY FUNDING TO AN ARTIST IN RESIDENCE?

RAIR offers residents a $1000 stipend as well as free studio space, access to waste materials, and assistance from RAIR staff. Travel and housing reimbursements are available to artists outside the region. A modest project budget is made available for projects that require additional support.

DOES RAIR ACCEPT APPLICATIONS FROM ARTIST COLLECTIVES?

Yes, we do accept applications from collaborative groups. Only one application is needed for groups with multiple members; please include separate bios and indicate how long the group has been collaborating or if this is the first time working together.

WHAT KIND OF SUPPLIES DOES RAIR'S STUDIO AND WORKSHOP PROVIDE TO ARTISTS?

There is a modest allotment of budget for extra hardware and additional materials not sourced from the waste stream and items that are not already stocked in the artist studio. Larger expense items like specialty tools and materials are the resident's responsibility. 

AM I ALLOWED TO BRING AN ASSISTANT TO WORK ALONGSIDE ME DURING MY RESIDENCY?

Residents are allowed to have assistants working with them. Any assistant will be required to go through all safety training and orientation.

CAN I SUBMIT TO BOTH THE BIGGIE SHORTIE RESIDENCY AND THE STANDARD RESIDENCY?

Yes. You can submit to both residency programs in the same application cycle. We ask that you take note of the differences between the two residencies, and tailor each application individually. Therefore you will have to complete two separate application forms and pay two separate application fees.

if selected, will I be in residence with other rair residents?

Unlike other residency models, RAIR residents rarely overlap, allowing each resident to be given individual attention and designated time at RAIR to access the waste stream and artist studio. This allows experienced staff offer hands-on support to each artist by collecting materials together in the recycling yard while assisting in the realization of their unique residency proposal. 

CAN I PROPOSE A PROJECT ON THE SUPERFUND SITE? 

If you are interested in the Superfund Site or have questions about a proposal that includes work on that site, contact billy@rairphilly.org before submitting an application. This area of focus is still not an official program area and like much of RAIR’s history of working, will be taken into consideration on a case by case basis.

AM I RESPONSIBLE FOR DOCUMENTING MY OWN WORK?

The open call residencies have a modest amount of budget allotted for documentation of work by a professional photographer. RAIR also owns a camera and can assist artists with documentation during their residency but does not assume full responsibility for the documentation of artists work.

WHAT TYPES OF PROFESSIONAL BENEFITS ARE MADE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE RESIDENCY PROGRAMS AT RAIR?

In addition to the unique opportunity RAIR provides through its residency program, professional development opportunities like studio visits and interviews are made available as part of the residency experience. If an applicant  is selected for a residency, during their orientation and leading up to their time at RAIR, exhibition opportunities are discussed. RAIR can help connect artists with their  network of partner organizations, venues and artist-run spaces to mount an exhibition. . RAIR also has helped residents plan for a variety of public programming like workshops, artist talks, performance and screenings.

do I need to create a public program?

No, you are not required to produce and event or public program but RAIR is there to support you if you decide to host a workshop, open studio, or other public program while an artist in residence or soon thereafter. 

IS THERE A PLACE FOR ME TO ADD MY ARTIST STATEMENT?

RAIR does not ask for an artist statement and does not provide space in the application for an artist statement specifically. 

How do I know WHICH TO APPLY TO, THE BIGGIE SHORTIE OR STANDARD RESIDENCY?

Carefully read the difference between the two opportunities on the for applicants page of the website. If your proposal wants a longer amount of time for development, access to materials and uninterrupted working hours in a studio on site, the Standard Residency is your best bet. If your proposal is more experimental in nature, and relies on work being done outside the studio, benefits from being done outside of the recycling centers operating hours and is somewhat dependent on RAIR staff for its execution, the Biggie Shortie is what you should be applying for.

WHAT MAKES A GOOD PROPOSAL FOR A RESIDENCY AT RAIR? 

Proposals should demonstrate an understanding of the following: what RAIR offers to artists while they are in residence, working within the context of the recycling facility and alongside its workers, and they should provide a realistic plan of how they will develop and execute a project that utilizes the unique resources available. The most successful proposals challenge the applicant’s current artistic practice, as well as their understanding of the waste stream and contemporary art practices, in a generative way.

I AM A PERFORMER AND WANT TO MAKE A PRODUCTION. HOW DOES RAIR SUPPORT THIS TYPE OF WORK THAT RELIES ON ADDITIONAL PERSONNEL AND CREW?

Projects that rely on any type of robust production should be prepared to seek outside funding to pay for additional crew. Successful projects in the past that work in this capacity have secured outside grant funding to pay for actors, performers, cameras, sound, lighting and additional crew members to be paid. RAIR’s project budget is limited and typically will only cover a small portion of these types of costs. 

Can i propose a process that employs fire?

Projects that rely on fire will not be considered. Fire poses a serious threat to the operations at Revolution Recovery and RAIR. Landfill fires are especially dangerous because they have the potential to spread quickly and emit dangerous fumes due to the wide range of materials contained in the recycling center.

IF I AM EXPERIENCING FINANCIAL HARDSHIP, WILL RAIR WAIVE THE APPLICATION FEE. 

RAIR has taken this into consideration and has decided to hold its application fee at a fixed amount and will not raise the price of the application fee as the deadline gets closer. If an applicant cannot afford the fee and would like to inquire about an application fee waiver, they are required to send an email to info@rairphilly.org with a subject line “Application Fee Waiver” that explains their current situation. RAIR will waive application fees for a limited number of applicants on a first come first serve basis.