9x9: 358 artists apply for the Azores 2027 Art in Residency program

358 artists apply for the Azores 2027 Art in Residency Pilot Program that will take place in the nine Azorean islands.

The Artist in Residency Pilot Program “9 x 9 - Artists are Islands, Islands are Artists” from Azores 2027, in partnership with the Arquipélago - Contemporary Arts Centre and with Part'Ilha – Cultural Association for Local Development, received 358 valid applications. The results will be known on the 15th of September.

The artists that applied are from various islands of the Azores, namely Santa Maria, São Miguel, Terceira, Flores and Faial; from the mainland, with emphasis on artists based in Lisbon, Porto, Braga, Évora, Faro, Coimbra, and also of the island of Madeira.

From abroad, proposals came from Azorean artists living in Norway, Spain and the Netherlands. Several artists are from Latvia, the country invited to participate, because it will host, in 2027, together with Portugal the European Capital of Culture event. The applications submitted are mainly in the areas of literature, theater, dance, music, performance, photography, installation, painting, video and cinema.

The art residencies will take place between the 30th of September and the 4th of December of 2021. Nine projects will be selected by nine individual artists who will do an art residency for 10 days in one of the Azorean islands.

Each selected artist will receive a fee of €1,500 (including the current VAT rate, if applicable, and other charges) and will also have at their disposal a production grant of up to €1,000, and will have logistical support that includes accommodation, food and transport.

The Artist in Residency Pilot Program “9 x 9 - Artists are Islands, Islands are Artists” foresees moments for development of audiences and awareness of communities for the arts. Encouraging direct participation, whether through conversations, workshops, school visits or other formats proposed by the artists in residence, is another of the main objectives.

9 x 9 is an Azores 2027 organisation, promoted by Ponta Delgada City Council, and co-promoted by the Government of the Azores, in partnership with Arquipélago – Contemporary Arts Centre, Part'Ilha – Cultural Association for Local Development, and also have the support of several agents, institutions and municipalities of the nine Azores islands.