All of WPA’s programming begins with a question. On a rolling basis, we accept 100-word curiosity-driven research ideas from artists based anywhere. Our goal is to support artistic research and interdisciplinary practices through the development and presentation of multidisciplinary, collaborative projects, co-organized with WPA. We believe in artists as intellectuals and that collaborative ideation is a process—which can then lead to meaningful experimentation and imaginative cultural production.

We encourage artists from all backgrounds and disciplines to submit their research ideas.

Our Selection Criteria

Please consider the following questions when developing your 100-word research idea:

  • Is your research idea curiosity-driven and imaginative? How does it expand your artistic practice?

  • Is your research idea collaborative? Does it involve, engage with, and/or present the work of other artists, creative thinkers, and cultural producers?

  • Is this research idea important to the community you are trying to reach? Is it relevant to communities in DC?

Keep in mind that we are not a traditional gallery space. Our goal is to support research ideas that are imaginative, experimental, and push the boundaries of traditional exhibitions and programming.

Submission Requirements

  1. Research Idea (min. 100 words). Please address the following when developing your 100-word research idea:

  • What is your research idea? 

    • How is it curiosity-driven and imaginative? 

  • How is your research idea collaborative? 

    • How can it involve and/or present the work of other artists, creative thinkers, and cultural producers?

  • Why is this research idea important to the community you are trying to reach? If you are not living in DC, how is your research idea relevant to communities in DC?

  1. How does your research idea expand your artistic practice?

  2. Why us? Why are you interested in developing this idea with WPA?

  3. Your artist statement

  4. Your website and/or relevant social media account

  5. Your CV or Resume

What will happen next?

We review all submissions quarterly. If your submitted research idea aligns with our Selection Criteria (please see above) we will reach out to schedule a meeting. During this meeting, we will discuss your goals and further explore your idea, and together with you, we will determine if this is a good fit.

W.A.G.E. Certified

Our commitment to artist compensation is why WPA was the first arts organization between New York and Miami to be honored with W.A.G.E. certification (Working Artists in the Greater Economy). WPA is proud to be W.A.G.E. certified since 2016, ensuring that we have and continue to compensate artists fairly.

Our Program Model

We designed this program model because we recognize that artists are increasingly collaborating across boundaries and borders to build community and shape discourse. We are interested in facilitating these collaborations through artist-driven inquiry. Our program model provides artists with the opportunity to expand their practices and experiment without absorbing financial burdens or capacity barriers. We provide resources to create critical connections and long-lasting, mutually beneficial relationships that build artistic communities around knowledge-sharing. 

 

>> SUBMIT YOUR IDEA <<

Date

September 15, 2021

Topics

Call for Entry