Residency FAQ
What kind of support does Eyebeam offer residents?
• An award of $22,000 USD
• 24/7 access to Eyebeam’s shared workspace and dedicated desk
• Public platforms to share their work and research
• Opportunities to engage with partner organizations, visiting professionals, and Eyebeam’s prestigious alumni network
How long is the residency?
The 2020 Residency will launch as a 6 month research and experimentation-focused program. It will run from January 2020 through June 2020, with extended access to Eyebeam’s shared workspace and equipment through September 2020.
What are the intensives?
The residency is punctuated by four intensives focused on research, experimentation, and exchange. They are each 3-4 days in length and exact dates will be determined before acceptance to the program.
Intensives are organized in collaboration with invited guests who are working creatively as technologists, activists, and stewards of ideas in their fields. The guests will shape the schedule of the intensives and will dive into ideas directly related to the annual residency theme. Potential activities include one-on-one studio visits and brainstorm sessions, group presentations and critiques, skill sharing, and hands-on workshops, as well as key introductions to other researchers and practitioners.
How will my work be presented at the end of my residency?
Rather than a predetermined outcome or product requirement, residents will share their work and research conducted at Eyebeam publicly at the end of their residency, regardless of their project’s state of completion. The public sharing can take any form that is compatible with their work, such as a publication, exhibition, panel, workshop, or screening. This culminating event will bring more visibility to the cohort’s work and share their impact with the greater public.
What am I committing to?
Residents must commit to attend all four intensives (3-4 days each; exact dates TBD before acceptance) and participate in the public sharing component at the end of their term. Residents are also encouraged to attend Eyebeam events and to be an active part of the Eyebeam team and community.
Who is eligible apply?
Eyebeam is proud to support those “who recognize the challenge of recontextualizing technology as mediums of experience.” For the purpose of this residency, this refers to a broad spectrum of interdisciplinary creative thinkers and practitioners. In its 20-year history, Eyebeam has called itself home to many who have worked across multiple fields and areas of inquiry. If your process is exploratory, creative, and is meaningfully engaged with technology as it impacts society, you likely fall under this broad definition and are encouraged to apply.
Can collaborative projects apply?
Collaborative projects with two or more collaborators may apply. A single person (21 years or older) must be responsible for committing as a resident for the term, and will serve as the point person for communications and payments. Collaborators’ work samples should reflect a history of working together.
I am not an American Citizen. Am I eligible to apply?
International applicants are welcome, although Eyebeam cannot provide visas. Eyebeam staff can assist in contacting visa agencies and provide supporting letters and documentation. Please be aware that this process can take up to 6 months.
What skills do I need to have? Do I have to know something “tech-y”?
There is no standard set of skills. However, all residents must be able to do their own research, and Eyebeam does not provide project-specific production or coding assistance. With this said, we have partner organizations who offer consultation and tech assistance.
What is the workspace like?
Eyebeam is an open-plan workspace with dedicated desks and lockers. We provide worktables, digital fabrication machinery, and AV equipment. If you are selected for an interview, the jury will ask you about your space, equipment, and tool needs to assess how you and your project might fit within Eyebeam.
Eyebeam is located within a mixed use building. Most tenants of the building are creative studios and small business ranging from a vegan coconut jerky company, to a tattoo parlor, to a micro museum.
What equipment does Eyebeam currently have for resident use?
In addition to a wide selection of software and AV equipment, Eyebeam currently has the following equipment available for resident use:
• Makerbot Replicator Z18 3D Printer
• Makerbot Replicator 2 3D Printer
• Modela MDX-40A 3D Milling Machine
• Epilog Fusion M2 C02 Laser Cutter
• HP Designjet T790 44″ Inkjet Color
• Oculus headsets (5)
• VR ready laptops (5)
What other services do you provide?
The residency program has an ever growing list of partner organizations that provide additional equipment, tools, space, and mentorship for our residents. Residents also gain access to our dynamic community of over 500 alumni and active alumni listserv, which is an amazing resource for residency, fellowship, and career opportunities as well as a place to pose questions and bounce ideas off of experts in the field.
Do you provide housing or health insurance?
No. Eyebeam does not provide housing or health insurance for residents. Residents are responsible for travel costs, accommodation, and moving expenses. Eyebeam staff can assist residents in finding accommodation in New York, but we do not provide housing for residents.
I’m an alum. Can I apply for another residency?
No. However, you may apply again as part of a collaborative project, if the other members haven’t been residents. We also partner up with different organizations and try to get alumni involved in these programs as much as possible.
When is the next Open Call online?
Eyebeam has one open call per year, in the Spring. Subscribe to our newsletter for updates and check out our event calendar for current openings. You can see right here the application for our 2020 residency which is now closed as an example.
What is the criteria for selection?
• Alignment with Eyebeam’s core values. Openness: All the work here is driven by an open-source ethos. Invention: We build on old ideas to generate new possibilities. Justice: Technology by artists is a move towards equity and democracy.
• A dedication to the annual theme
• Clear artistic intentions with strong execution of previous work samples
• A purposeful relationship to technology
• Social urgency and potential impact
• Match between Eyebeam’s resources and the applicant’s need
Any tips when applying?
• Read through the application guidelines prior to beginning and follow the word limits in each section.
• In the first round, each jury member spends less than 15 minutes on your application. Clarity is paramount.
• Explain why Eyebeam specifically is the right place for you.
• Don’t propose something completely unrelated to your past work.
• Be clear and concise in explaining what you would like to do.
• Visit the space during public events and introduce yourself to the Eyebeam community.
• The purpose and impact of your project are far more important than the tools or media you choose.
• The links to work samples should be succinct and representative of your work. Make sure that the links provide enough context.
What happens once I submit my application?
You will be able to save the draft of your application as you progress until the application deadline. Upon submitting your application, you will receive an automatic confirmation message. You will not be able to make any edits to your application after it has been submitted or after the application period closes.
I can’t use the Submittable application. How do I apply?
Email us at [email protected] at least one week before the deadline and we’ll send you a form.
What is the jurying process like?
For our Open Call, we have a very rigorous set of internal reviews for the first round, before passing on a shortlist of applicants to the external jurors. A subset of the shortlist is selected for interviews, and then residencies are offered based on a final review. The entire process takes approximately three months.
What if I don’t receive the residency?
All applicants will receive a response. We know that the time it takes to prepare an application is an investment, and want to thank all applicants for their time.
