Organization: CASTRO
Location: Rome, Italy
Application Fee: 20 €
REQUIREMENTS
CASTRO is a space for alternative learning based in Trastevere, Rome.
The CASTRO Studio Program is a 5 months long non-accredited educational programme which hosts a group of artists and researchers, offering workspace and free tuition from international artists, writers, curators and theorists. Amongst the activities are: tutorials, group tutorials, workshops and seminars, CRITS, studio visits, guided tours of Rome, Open Studios. The group of students is selected via open call by an international selection panel which changes every year.
CASTRO fosters collaboration, experimentation and peer-to-peer learning. Each year’s program is tailored to the interests and practices of the students, fostering a dynamic environment where individual and collective pursuits intersect. Furthermore, the program serves as a platform for connecting with local realities, practitioners and organisations, facilitating exchanges that enrich both the students and the broader community. In exchange for participation, students are encouraged to take an active role in planning activities and shaping the program. Applications are welcomed from artists and researchers working with any kind of practice, approach and media. We are looking for people who are eager to experiment with alternative modes of education, open to trying out different ways of learning, questioning and unlearning, and that are committed to creating, facilitating, and nurturing collaborative and supportive work environments at CASTRO and beyond, actively engaging with the broader community.
PREREQUISITES
- Good knowledge of the English language.
All the Program activities will be in English.
- Presence for the whole period of the Program.
Students are expected to live in Rome and participate in all of CASTRO’s weekly activities.
- Collaborative disposition.
Candidates must demonstrate a significant interest in collaborative working contexts.
- Drawn to Rome.
Candidates must be able to demonstrate the importance of a Studio Program in Rome to their practice; they must be enthusiastic about the opportunity to share the experience with the CASTRO community.
- There are no age restrictions.
However, the educational Program is recommended for artists looking for pedagogical guidance.
- No academic qualifications required.
However, the research trajectory of applicants must demonstrate a high level of quality and motivation.
PROGRAM OUTLINE
Students for the CASTRO Studio Program are chosen by a Selection Panel of high level professionals in the arts, who are invited to select a cohort of people who show the potential to work effectively as a group.
Selected students are offered a studio, educational activities and pedagogical guidance.It is important to note that the studio is intended only as a workplace; it is not possible to live at CASTRO. Selected students must find their accommodations independently.
Educational activities and tutors change each year and are planned together with an Academic and Artistic Advisor on the basis of the selected students’ practices. The program comprises a series of mandatory activities, such as tutorials, crits, workshops and seminars, and a series of optional activities.
Mandatory activities:
→ A series of three intensive workshops and seminars, planned based on the students’s interests and practices, to provide theoretical and critical insights.
→ Monthly one-on-one tutorials with a mentor, offering personalized guidance throughout the residency. The Mentor changes each year and is chosen on the basis of the selected students’ practices.
→ Regular individual meetings with the CASTRO Team to discuss and plan a number of educational activities (i.e. studio visits, field trips, group tutorials and CRITS)
→ Participation in CRITS, public presentations in which artists present their work and offer it to a collective discussion, getting feedback in a group context.
→Group tutorials to foster collaboration and exploration of research topics
→ at least 3 studio visits with local and international artists, curators, gallerists, collectors, writers and a variety of other professionals involved in contemporary art.
→ Open studios at the end of the program.
Participation to at least 80% of the mandatory activities is required in order to complete the program.
During their stay at CASTRO, students may suggest organizing educational events such as talks or reading groups, either to share their practice or as a further research tool itself. The CASTRO Team will evaluate the proposals, agreeing on the possible budget and the modalities of the event.
A temporary calendar will be shared by the Team upon arrival although, as the program is constantly revised in accordance with the students’ interests, most activities are set or confirmed as it runs. Therefore the program is incompatible with other full-time or part-time programs. However, most activities take place in the afternoons so students are free to take part-time jobs if necessary.
It is mandatory to reside in Rome for the duration of the whole program.
TERMS OF PARTICIPATION
- Applications
Only applications received via Google Form before the deadline will be accepted.
The application fee is 20€. Application Fees cover selection administration and management costs. Payments must be made via bank transfer to: Associazione GIGANT, IBAN: IT58R0326803210052800231390, BIC: SELBIT2B. *Please write your NAME_SURNAME_CASTRO08 in the payment description box.
- Costs
Participation in the Program costs 10.000,00 €. All students will be offered a Fellowship which covers 100% of costs. In lieu of paying fees, students are expected to take an active role in shaping the program and are expected to participate in at least 80% of the mandatory activities. If students fail to attend program activities and exceed the permitted absence threshold, their fellowship will be withdrawn; they may opt to continue in the program but will have to cover the program costs. A deposit of 200,00 € must be covered by the selected students which must be paid on confirmation of participation in July 2024.
- VISA
CASTRO is an independent educational program and therefore does not offer formal certifications nor can deal with VISA applications. All applicants are expected to live in Rome for the full length of the Program. However the Team is available to offer invitation letters and other material to support funding applications.
- Accessibility
We are committed to making CASTRO accessible to everyone and to creating equal and equitable experiences for all. We warmly welcome your questions in regards to accessibility and the support we can offer to overcome hurdles and obstacles and upon request can provide a document stating our accessibility information. For specific advice: please write an e-mail to castro.studioprogram@gmail.com and we will be happy and committed to take it from there together with you.
APPLICATION AND REVIEW PROCESS
- Send your application by Sunday 14 April 2024 by filling the google form here: APPLY HERE
- Members of the Selection Committee will be announced by April 2024.
- Phase 1:
- Deadline for Phase 1 will be 14/04/2024
- The CASTRO Team will make a pre-selection in case application numbers are above expectations.
- Pre-selected candidates will be contacted by May. These will be admitted to the second phase of the process
- Phase 2:
- Pre-selected candidates will be asked to expand on one of five suggested topics.
- Deadline for Phase 2 will be beginning of June date TBC
- The Selection Committee will make a shortlist (read only) based on the initial application and the material received in the second phase.
- Shortlisted candidates will be invited to be available for a possible online interview during the last week of June 2024. Not all selected candidates will be contacted for an interview.
- Selected candidates will be contacted by July to inform them of the application outcome and will have one week to confirm their participation in the Program by sending the first installment.
- In case application numbers are above expectations CASTRO reserves the right to notify only successful applicants.
