AiR for research and production in animation

Founded in 1984, the Toronto Animated Image Society (TAIS) is an organization dedicated to exploring and promoting the art of animation through production, screenings, workshops and exhibitions. As an artist-run production centre, TAIS provides affordable access to space and equipment; offering services to independent artists who make animated films within contemporary art practices. The residency program supports research and production of new animated work by artists through a combination of funding and in-kind resources. After the success of the last four years of TAIS’ artists in residence program, the boundaries continue to expand for the types of works year five aims to support.

The fifth year of the program is seeking ONE (1) Canadian artist and ONE (1) International artist to each engage in self-directed work, towards the completion of a new independent animated film or video. This residency comes with a combination of monetary funding and in-kind use of studio space, equipment and resources at TAIS Studios, located at 1411 Dufferin Street, in downtown Toronto.

Program details: 

• The Canadian Artist Residency is three-months long, taking place over consecutive months between May 2019 and March 2020. The goal for this Canadian Artist Residency is to emerge with a finished work. The selected Canadian artist will be awarded with $9,000, comprised of $3,000 in-kind towards 3-months of studio space, equipment and resources at TAIS Studios, and $6,000 in cash funding for the project.
• The International Artist Residency is one-month long, and will take place over consecutive weeks between May 2019 and March 2020. The goal for this International Artist Residency is to experiment with the resources available at TAIS to advance or complete a work. The selected International artist will be awarded with $3,500, comprised of $1,500 in-kind towards studio space, equipment and resources at TAIS Studios, and $2,000 in cash funding for the project.

Required:

• Applicants must be TAIS members (of any level) to be eligible; non-members wishing to apply may register for membership on their website. Member fees: $20/year Supporting Membership, $50/year Studio Membership.
• For this Residency program, it is imperative that the selected artist(s) plan to interact and experiment with TAIS equipment and resources. Proposals that are strictly research or pre-production without any actual production component are not eligible.
• Proposals must be for projects that are entirely or predominantly involving animation production. Multi or mixed media proposals are welcome, however the work must be considered as an animated project (involving the illusion of motion and/or change by means of the rapid succession of sequential images)
• The Toronto Animated Image Society (TAIS), and any funding sponsors of the program, must be acknowledged in the finished work.
• TAIS will retain a copy of the final work for archiving, dissemination, and presentation.

Eligibility:

• Limited travel, accommodations, and materials coverage may be available through this program.
• The selected artist is able to contribute additional funding from other sources. TAIS will provide letters of support as needed, toward additional funding for the artist.
• Projects servicing a third-party producer are not eligible; the work must remain in the artistic control of the artist.
• Proposals that are strictly research or pre-production without any actual production component are not eligible.
• Only production and experimentation that takes place at TAIS Studios is eligible for support as part of this program (access to the studios will be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, throughout the residency period).
• In order to be eligible, the selected artist(s) must sign a contract with TAIS and must agree to report on their project expenses and progress.

Parameters for selection:

• Research and innovation within the work proposed. Description of use of studio and equipment is essential. (Clarity of the proposal and detail). 40 points
• Budget and feasibility (Explain how the funding will be used ). 15 Points
• Commitment to the project (Detailed plan and workflow). 30 points
• Community involvement (openness to show work-in-progress and agreement to a public artist talk or workshop). 15 points

To apply please download the application form and budget template. TAIS recommends using the checklist and template when writing your proposal and creating your budget. Applications should be sent by email, as one Word document or PDF attachment, to [email protected], with subject heading: TAIS Artist in Residence Proposal 2019. Interested individuals are required to fill out the submission form and are asked to submit (as ONE (1) combined Word or PDF document)– by Friday, October 5 at midnight EST, the following:

• An artist CV/resume (THREE (3) pages max)
• Online links (vimeo, dropbox etc.) of TWO (2) samples of recent work. Describe how this work relates to your project. (Please do not remove these samples until after our notification date or you risk the jury not being able to see them)
• An Artist Statement of the self-directed work you intend to complete while at TAIS residency (TWO (2) pages max)
• Budget and notes/breakdown (See template)
• Detailed schedule of workflow for period of residency at TAIS, and any additional production information
• Equipment required (see equipment list)
• Please supply documentation of any matching grants (if applicable)

Budget - eligible expenses:

• Living expenses (Rent, meals, local transportation) – Please note that, while living expenses are eligible, accommodations and travel outside/to Toronto are not eligible.
• Production expenses and materials.
• Additional equipment rental (if not available at TAIS Studio).