Residency project at the Musée en plein air du Sart Tilman (Belgium)

The residency project, initiated by the Musée en plein air du Sart Tilman, aims to create a space for reflection and the creation of works on the theme of the possible relationship between the arts and sciences, through an original scheme combining artistic creation, scientific research and cultural mediation. Based on a very open field of action (exact sciences, human sciences, environment, space research, astrophysics, neurosciences, etc.), the aim is to create an innovative space where artists and scientists can share, exchange and mutually enrich each other, giving rise to practices and forms of expression that are neither purely "scientific" nor purely "artistic". 

The project aims to: 

• Promote the work of visual artists who are interested in the sciences in one way or another, whether to question them as such, to question their practices or to make use of technological advances and scientific methods in their artistic production.

• Encourage the creation of science-related works.

• Facilitate artists' access to science and research.

• Raise awareness of scientific practices of all kinds.

• To raise public awareness of the reciprocal permeability of scientific and artistic approaches. 

The artist will carry out the residency in close collaboration with a research laboratory or various scientists at the University of Liège. Given the necessary collaborative dimension of the project, the artist-scientist duo will be validated after a first meeting and on the basis of mutual consent (concerning the procedure, the collaboration and the aims) between the artist, the scientist(s) and the project leaders. The choice and the conditions of the public restitution (work, exhibition, public presentation...) of the residency will be left to the discretion of the artist in agreement with the scientist(s) and the project organisers. A precise timetable establishing the various phases of the residency will be drawn up with the artist at the start of the residency. 

The institution occupies a unique place in the world of museum institutions. Not only is it an open-air museum, set in an exceptional architectural and natural environment, but it is also a free museum-accessible 24 hours a day, open to the whole community, without any restrictions. In addition to this commitment to cultural democratisation, the Musée en plein air is also committed to preserving the works in its collection, expanding it through new acquisitions and promoting contemporary art through temporary exhibitions.

The total duration of two months. Dates to be agreed with the artist between 1 September and 15 December 2023. The duration of the residency may be continuous or divided into several stays. The presentation of the results (in whatever form) must also take place or begin during this period. 

Location: ULiège campus, Sart Tilman, Liège, Belgium 
 

The artist commits to: 

• Devote himself/herself to the project and remain at the residency site for most of the planned duration.

• Do everything possible to collaborate with the scientist(s).

• Propose a public presentation (work, exhibition, presentation, etc.) no later than the last day of the residency, i.e. 15 December 2023.

• Make himself/herself available to co-lead courses or creative workshops to be defined with the project organisers (at
  least 2 days during the residency).

• Make himself/herself available to meet partners or players from the artistic, cultural and scientific worlds during the
  residency.

• Report regularly (at least twice a month) to the project organisers on the progress of the residency.

Since research, collaboration and process are key here, the residency may be a working stage in research that has already begun or is in its infancy, without the artist being expected to produce a definitive and fully completed project. However, a public presentation (work, exhibition, presentation, etc.) presenting the results of the residency is expected. 

The artist receives:

• Accommodation during the residency.
  The specific terms and conditions of accommodation and travel will be communicated to the artist at a later date.

• A large workspace on the premises of the Musée en plein air, at the heart of the Sart Tilman campus.

• Artistic fees for a total of €4,000 gross for the artistic activities (artist residency, co-organisation of courses or creative workshops and public presentation). The fees will be paid by the Musée en plein air on the basis of an invoice or legal request for payment issued by the artist.

• A per diem of €30 per day of effective residence.

• Travel between the artist's home and Liège will be reimbursed up to a maximum of €500 including a tax on presentation of receipts.

• Travel during the residency period (excluding travel between home and the residency) is reimbursed up to a maximum of €250 including the tax on the presentation of receipts. 

The workshop made available to the artist is not equipped, with the exception of tables and chairs. The artist must therefore come equipped with his or her own working tools or obtain them. The cost of consumables and materials required for the residency, the public presentation and the creative workshops will be covered up to a maximum of €3,000 including tax. 

To apply, submit:

• A written presentation of the project, maximum 3 pages, including in particular:

• A description of the residency project and the proposed final presentation

  • Mention and explanation of the interest in one or more fields of scientific research

• A description of the working methodology envisaged, in particular for the collaboration with the scientists 

• The artist's curriculum vitae

• An artistic portfolio including examples of works already completed, exhibition views, texts, press reviews, etc.

• A copy of the artist's identity document. 

All applications must be submitted in French or English. 

The application must be sent by email to the following address: [email protected] 

The deadline for applications is midnight (Brussels time) on 15 July 2023. 

A confirmation of receipt will be sent by email within one week of receiving the application. Only complete applications submitted by the deadline will be accepted. 

Partners:

• Réjouisciences is ULiège's department for disseminating scientific and technological culture. Its objectives are to share and animate the knowledge produced within the university and to disseminate science and technology to the general public, while implementing new and effective methods of mediation. Here

• Art&fact (guides and lecturers with degrees in art history) is the main educational partner of the Musée en plein air, taking charge of guided tours, organising courses for children, and writing educational and playful publications for a wide range of audiences. Here, the association is responsible for organising courses and workshops for children and teenagers in connection with the residency project and in collaboration with the artist.