Resident Artists & Artists Pro Tem at Torpedo Factory Art Center

2024 OPEN CALL FOR ARTISTS

 

OVERVIEW

Torpedo Factory Art Center is accepting applications for Resident Artists — individuals or groups of up to four —who will earn three-year studio leases and Artists Pro Tem — individuals who will earn the ability to sublease and participate in the Art Center programming.1 Torpedo Factory Art Center aims to be a 21st century, leading arts institution with a broad and deep connection to Alexandria residents, visitors, and regional artists, built on equity and high performance.

 

ELIGIBILITY: Open to all visual artists, at all levels of their career, over the age of 21. 2

APPLICATION FEE: $45 per new applicant (or applicant group). Free to current Resident Artists and Artists Pro Tem. 3 If the application fee is a barrier, email torpedofactory@alexandriava.gov for a free link to an application.

APPLICATION OPENS: February 28, 2024

DEADLINE: April 16, 2024, by 5:00 P.M.

LEASE DATES: November 1, 2024 – September 30, 2027. Incumbent artists maintaining their current studio begin on October 1, 2024.

FREE INSTRUCTIONAL APPLICATION WEBINARS: March 8, 2024 at 12:30 P.M. and March 6, 2024 at 5:30 P.M.

DETAILS: Visit torpedofactory.org/opencall for more information and the application.

QUESTIONS: Email torpedofactory@alexandriava.gov.

ATTESTATION: All applicants shall attest that all submitted information and work samples, including artwork and statements, is the applicant’s own work and comply with all provisions of the Open Call. 4

ELIGIBLE MEDIA: All visual art media including but not limited to: Painting, Glass, Digital, Jewelry, Ceramics, Fiber, Mixed media, Sculpture, Photography, Printmaking, New or extended media, and Video / Time-base art. Due to the open-air nature of the studios, media that produces toxic fumes are not permitted, as well as artwork that requires nonstop continuous loud noise. Artists using media of a toxic or hazardous nature shall follow all applicable laws and regulations. Consult the Operating Rules and Procedures for more information. A spray booth, of limited size, is available for some toxic media.

 

ABOUT TORPEDO FACTORY ART CENTER

Torpedo Factory Art Center is the nation’s longest continually operated community of publicly accessible artists’ studios in a converted industrial space. Located at 105 N Union St. in Old Town Alexandria.

A Washington D.C. regional landmark for nearly 50 years, the Art Center is located in a century-old munitions factory on Alexandria’s Potomac Riverfront. Each year, approximately 500,000 people visit. The community of nearly 150 working artists creates in a wide variety of media — painting, ceramics, photography, jewelry, glass, fiber, printmaking, sculpture, and more — in 71 studios and 9 leased galleries. Artists sell directly from their studios with no commission. The Art Center has inspired cultural placemaking around the world.

 

RESIDENT ARTISTS

 

INCLUDED IN A LEASE

Resident Artists are leaseholders at the Art Center. Accepted applicants shall receive a three (3)-year studio lease with publicly subsidized rent of $17.91 per square foot per year. Rent shall increase by 3% annually. This cost includes access to Alexandria’s high-traffic Potomac Waterfront and the King Street commercial corridor, building utilities, property taxes, Art Center marketing, Art Center staffing, professional-development opportunities, common area/bathroom custodial, Art Center programming, and other day-to-day operations. Housing, transportation, and parking are the responsibility of the artists. All Resident Artists accept via this process will be required to attend an orientation meeting with staff.

 

NON-COMMISSION ART SALES

Artists are required to obtain a business license from the City of Alexandria. They may sell work from their studios and the Art Center does not take a commission from any sales.

LEASEHOLDERS SHALL HAVE

• Access to their studios between the hours of 6 a.m. and 1 a.m.
• Ability to participate in Art Center public programs and exhibitions.
• Use of shared utility sinks in hallways.
• Use of a shared spray booth (size limits apply).
• Use of loading dock.
• Use of freight elevators.
• Daily cleaned bathroom facilities.
• Dog friendly studio with additional Pet agreement.
• 24-hour recording security cameras.
• Ability to take on additional sublease artists from approved list.
• Mail delivery.
• Free public WiFi.
• On-site building manager during public hours.
• Ability to use the name “Torpedo Factory Art Center” in self-promotions.
• Nearby coffee, food, entertainment, shopping, and free trolley to King Street Metro Station / Alexandria VRE.

 

 

OPERATING RULES AND PROCEDURES

Due to the mission and public nature of the Art Center, there are expectations for artists on engaging with the public and working within a community of artists. Accepted applicants shall follow rules of the Lease and Operating Rules and Procedures found here. Of note in the Operating Rules and Procedures, leaseholders are required to: 

• Maintain time requirements for open studio hours for the public to watch you work, ask questions, or make purchases.
• Use the studio as a working space to produce work, not as a gallery.
• Engage the public, staff, and other artists, with courtesy and respect.
• Maintain minimum noise only consistent with the working process.
• Work with the Art Center staff regarding any hazardous activities or material.
• Obtain any required permits for special equipment such as kilns or welding equipment.
• Maintain a clean and safe working environment.
• Studio assistants are permitted, but do not count towards open studio hours if the artist(s) is not there.
• Monitor children that artists bring to the studio.
• Refrain from using public space as an extension of their studio.
• Share any security alarm codes with the Art Center staff.
• Maintain renters insurance for leased space.
• Obtain City of Alexandria business license for artists to be able to sell.

 

SELECTING A STUDIO

Studios shall be awarded based on scores. Applicants will be permitted a ranking of the five (5) top studios they wish to lease. The higher the application scores, the more likely to get a first or second choice. It is not guaranteed that a successful application shall receive any of their top choices, but staff will take all available measures to match applications with like studios. If a space becomes available that is not listed on this application, staff can place an accepted applicant into that space if their top choices are not available. Applicants have right of refusal, but may forfeit their ability to secure a studio in the Art Center during this round of applications. If a studio is not taken, the applicant may still become an Artist Pro Tem.

 

Incumbent artists, current Resident Artists at the Art Center, shall be given first right to their current studio if they score high enough to earn a studio and list their current studio as their top choices.

 

STUDIOS OPEN FOR CONSIDERATION

Applicants may select up to five (5) top choices and list them on the application.

 

ARTISTS PRO TEM

 

JOINING THE SUBLEASING POOL AS AN ARTIST PRO TEM

Applicants may exclusively apply to be an Artist Pro Tem and be eligible to sublease. However, applicants who apply to be, and are not accepted for, a Resident Artist lease may be selected as an Artist Pro Tem. Check the box on the online application to indicate your interest in subleasing if not selected as a Resident Artist. Select the Artist Pro Tem Only choice if it’s your primary interest.

 

To become eligible for Artist Pro Tem status, applicants must complete all three (3) phases of the application and score a minimum of 60 out of 100 points. Eligibility will last for three years pending continued participation. Artists Pro Tem sign an agreement with the Art Center describing participation. As an Artist Pro Tem, you may be invited to sublease with Resident Artists in their studios at various points in the year. See Operating Rules and Procedures section 20 to learn more about subleasing. Artists Pro Tem also can participate in Art Center public programs and exhibitions, have an artist profile listing on torpedofactory.org and use the name “Torpedo Factory Art Center” when promoting oneself.

 

Your name will also be added to an eligibility list to lease a studio, should one become available. You will be ranked within your jury group year based on your score. The following year, the most recent jury group will be placed at the top of the list. Therefore, even if you scored higher last year than the most recent artists on the new year’s list, the most recent applicants are on the top of the list. If a studio becomes available the Artist Pro Tem at the top of the list with the highest score on the application, but did not get a studio, will be first to be offered the open studio as a Resident Artist. If they choose not to accept, the offer will move down the line however they may be offered another studio should one become available in the future. If an Artist Pro Tem is granted a studio and has a lease start at least 30 days before the next application closes, they have to re-apply for that studio during the next Open Call application cycle to maintain the studio. If an Artist Pro Tem is granted a studio and has a lease start after an Open Call application cycle is closed, they get until the following year to re-apply in that year’s Open Call application cycle. To remain in that studio with a three-year lease as a Resident Artist, the artist would need to apply through the Open Call process and would be treated as the incumbent artist for the studio. Artists Pro Tem shall follow the Operating Rules and Procedures listed above when subleasing or if they become a leaseholder.

 

THE PROCESS

 

Applications are accepted for individual artists who want a studio or groups of up to four (4) artists that wish to share a studio. Applicants are also accepted for solo artists who want to be an Artist Pro Tem. Each application is scored as a single applicant, be it an individual application or a group application. Applicants with the highest scores that request a studio will be offered an available studio. Applicants scoring above 60 out of 100 points,

may become Artists Pro Tem. If a current Resident Artist or Artist Pro Tem from the Art Center applies, their new standing will be based on the score of this application and therefore could lose their place as an artist at the Art Center pending their score. The application is in three (3) phases, each worth a total of 100 points.5 Applicants from the past two years scored the process as 88% easy.

 

• PHASE I considers artistic merit and is judged blind, with jurors only viewing the art. Jurors will be looking for deliberately crafted artwork with an authentic and original point of view that reflects an awareness of current trends and aesthetics in the larger art world. It is worth a maximum of 50 points. The highest scoring 50 applicants shall advance to Phase II.
• PHASE II is non-blind and considers applicants’ backgrounds. Jurors will look for artists who can explain their art and who want to engage and interact with the public through their work. They will review applicants’ career highlights and how they have marketed themselves or their work. It is worth a maximum of 25 points. The highest scoring 40 applicants shall advance to Phase III.
• PHASE III gives the jurors an opportunity to meet and interact with the applicants. This is the first time jurors are seeing the artwork in-person to review it for quality. Jurors consider the applicants’ ability to communicate about their artwork, with an eye toward their desire to positively engage with the public. It is worth a maximum of 25 points. Presentations will be open to the public.

 

The Art Center juries for studios; therefore, if applying as a group, a studio is granted to the group application, not to an individual artist within a group. Group applications receive one (1) score for the totality of the application, not for individual artists in the group. An artist may apply only once per annual application, not in multiple applications. After Resident Artists accept their new leases, they may take on an Artist Pro Tem to sublease, but cannot add new co-leaseholders to their studios, or change studios, until completing the following year’s annual Open Call process. It will reset the jury cycle for the entire group. Read more at torpedofactory.org/opencall for more information.

 

Accepted applicant(s) grant the Art Center the right to use content provided in the application for marketing purposes, with citations given to the applicant(s). Current Resident Artists or Artists Pro Tem that choose to re-jury early and who are not accepted lose their status.

 

TIMELINE

MARCH 6, 2024, AT 5:30 P.M. Non-mandatory Free Application Instructional Webinar.

MARCH 8, 2024, AT 12:30 P.M. Non-mandatory Free Application Instructional Webinar.

APRIL 16, 2024, BY 5:00 P.M. Online Applications are due via Submittable.

MAY 14, 2024 by 11:59 P.M. Outcome of Phase I is announced

JUNE 3, 2024 by 11:59 P.M. Outcome of Phase II is announced

JUNE 4–7, 2024 Scheduling In-Person Application Presentations by staff.

JUNE 12, 7–10 P.M. In-Person Application Presentations held at the Art Center.

JUNE 15, 10:30 AM–5 P.M. In-Person Application Presentations held at the Art Center.

JULY 9, 2024 by 11:59 P.M. Outcome of Phase III is announced and studios are awarded.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 Current studio leases end.

OCTOBER 1, 2024 Leases begin for incumbent artists who have retained their current studio.

NOVEMBER 1, 2024 Leases begin for all other artists.

 

FREE APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONAL WEBINARS

The Art Center will hold two (2) free webinars for all prospective applicants to review the application process and answer application-related questions. These are optional and have no bearing on juror’s scores. Both webinars shall provide the same information and will be held on March 6, 2023, at 5:30 p.m. and March 8, 2023, at 12:30 p.m.  Sign up at torpedofactory.org/opencall.

 

TRANSPARENCY

Torpedo Factory Art Center is committed to a transparent application process. Of the 2022 and 2023 Open Call applicants – 82% believed the process to be fair and transparent. The full scoring criteria, as the jurors will see it, are listed in this document. Applicants and spectators are encouraged to attend the In-Person Application Presentations for Phase III, in which artists present their applications to jurors. Check torpedofactory.org/events to confirm times. When requested, applicants will receive their scores and written feedback from the jurors on the application at the conclusion of the process.6

 

EQUITY STATEMENT

Torpedo Factory Art Center holds the notion of working toward a world where we are all embraced for who we are and are able to thrive to reach our highest potential. Removing barriers to full participation and belonging in life and culture. Equity means promoting just and fair inclusion throughout our city, and creating the conditions in which everyone can participate, prosper, and reach their full potential.

Torpedo Factory Art Center values a diverse community of artists that reflects representation from different social, economic, and cultural backgrounds, as well as different artistic media, styles, and forms of expression. The Art Center values artists of all stages of their career, regardless of their formal arts training.

 

Therefore, when reviewing applicants’ backgrounds in Phase II, jurors consider the career level of the applicant(s). Applicants’ background should match their career level or exceed their career level. This process provides an equitable way of gaining a studio without the wait and provides opportunity for more artists. The Art Center strives to eliminate potential barriers in this application, giving everyone an equitable chance to compete. Jurors are selected to reflect diversity, and support for applicants is provided throughout the process. If you find ways to improve this process, please contact torpedofactory@alexandriava.gov.

 

For reasonable translation or disability accommodations, contact: 703.746.4570, Virginia Relay 711, or torpedofactory@alexandriava.gov.

 

The application shall ask for applicants’ gender identity, disability status, language, ethnicity and/or race, and age. This information shall not be shared with the Jurors and will hold no bearing on the scores.

 

ABOUT THE JURORS

The Jurors shall consist of four (4) experts from the field of art: curatorial, galleries, museums, or academia. The four (4) Jurors shall take part in each phase of the application process. To foster a climate where equity and mutual respect are intrinsic, efforts will be made to include Jurors from a broad spectrum of demographic and philosophical differences, including age, ethnicity, gender, physical abilities, educational background, and work experiences.7

 

Read the bios of the 2024 Jurors at torpedofactory.org/2024jurors.

APPLICATION PHASES

Find helpful resources for building an application at torpedofactory.org/resources.

 

PHASE I

 

ONLINE APPLICATION | MAXIMUM OF 50 POINTS | DUE APRIL 16, 2024, BY 5:00 P.M.

Phase I considers artistic merit and is judged blind. Names are not to be included on any Phase I material, including file names and images, or it forfeits the whole application. Fees are non-refundable.

Artist’s signatures that are a part of the artwork (such as painted on the surface of a painting or sculpted into a sculpture) are acceptable for submission because removing them would be manipulating or cropping the art and therefore damage the integrity of the art. Signatures that are not a part of the artwork (such as written on a mat around an artwork) should not be included in the submission.

 

Jurors will be looking for deliberately crafted artwork with an authentic and original point of view that reflects an awareness of current trends and aesthetics in the broader art world.

 

APPLICANTS SHALL INCLUDE 

1. A total of nine (9) images or video of artwork produced in the past two (2) years for each artist applying as part of the application. A maximum of four (4) artists may apply for one studio. Therefore, there may be 9 –36 images pending how many artists apply. One image per artist may be a detail view or alternative view of one of the 8 other artworks, at the artists own discretion. Best practice is for images to be high resolution (300 DPI). Default maximum file size is 400mb per upload, and the default maximum total application size is 800mb.
2.  An image list explaining title, media, size, and date. For group applications, it should also denote which artwork is connected to the first, second, third, or fourth artist, without using names.

 

SCORING SYSTEM

The panel of art professional Jurors shall score Phase I on the applicant’s artistic merit in the following criteria. They are scored on a scale of 1 – 10, higher scores are preferred.

•  Artwork reflects an understanding of, and personal place within, the current art scene, aesthetically and conceptually, as well as a desire to contribute to it. (Worth up to 10 points)
• Artwork clearly reflects and expresses the artist’s conceptual ideas and reveals something about the world, communicating unique perspectives, inviting the viewer to question, discover, and explore. (Worth up to 10 points)
• Artworks reflect a strong understanding of presentation, technical skill, and mastery of chosen mediums. (Worth up to 10 points)
• Artist shows commitment to and displays clear ability to produce a comprehensive body of work showing an authentic relationship to the work. (Worth up to 10 points)
• Artist produces original concepts and artwork expanding the use of media and technique. (Worth up to 10 points)

 

THE HIGHEST SCORING 50 APPLICANTS SHALL ADVANCE TO PHASE II

 

PHASE II

ONLINE APPLICATION | MAXIMUM 25 POINTS | DUE APRIL 16, 2024, BY 5:00 P.M.

Phase II is completed by applicants at the same time as Phase I and considers applicants’ backgrounds. Phase II is non-blind and only reviewed by jurors after applicants pass Phase I.

 

Jurors will look for artists who can and want to engage and interact with the public through their work. They will review applicants’ career highlights and how they have marketed themselves or their work.

 

APPLICANTS SHALL INCLUDE

1.  A self-selection of their career level for each applicant based on one of the following categories:

• Beginning Artist: Are currently creating an elemental yet functional body of work.
• Emerging Artist: Have completed at least one (1) year as an artist and are currently creating an independent elemental yet functional body of work. Have been juried, selected, curated, or hired to take part in a local/regional performance, teaching opportunity, residency, exhibition, publication, or otherwise.
• Mid-Career Artist: Have sustained a professional practice and created an independent body of work that demonstrates artistic exploration and development for over a minimum of five (5) years. Have been juried, selected, curated, or hired to take part in at least two of the following within the past ten (10) years: performances, teaching opportunities, residencies, exhibitions, publications, or otherwise outside of the Torpedo Factory Art Center building.
• Established Artist: Have created several independent bodies of work over a minimum, or hired within the past ten (10) years to take part in at least two of the following, one being outside the Greater Washington, D.C. area: performances, teaching opportunities, residencies, exhibitions, publications, or otherwise, including one (1) solo exhibition regionally or nationally outside of the Torpedo Factory Art Center building.

2.  Short written statements:

• Artist Statement: There should be one statement from each artist on the application. An Artist Statement provides context for your work. What are your goals? What influences you? What themes or subject matter do you focus on and why (Fewer than 200 words)?
• Process Statement detailing how the art is made: There should be one statement from each artist on the application. (Fewer than 200 words)
• Engagement Statement about how the applicant(s) will engage with the public and utilize the publicly accessible studio (if applying to be a Resident Artist) or engage during public programs or exhibitions (if applying exclusively to be an Artist Pro Tem) (fewer than 300 words.) There should be one statement for the whole application, not for individual artists.

3.  Resume or CV: For each artist applying to show that they align with their career level. An Artist’s Resume or CV should focus on things related to their art, for example if they attended an art school, exhibitions (group and solo), residencies they may have had, membership, awards, presentations, publications they may be highlighted in or have written, and relevant teaching experience. Here are some helpful resources for writing an artist’s resume or CV:

4.  Social media and/or website: Links for each artist applying to show self-marketing, professionalism, and engagement ability. (For Incumbent Artists, the website should be something other than the artists’ profiles on torpedofactory.org.)

 

SCORING SYSTEM

The panel of art professional jurors shall score Phase II, reviewing the applicant’s background ability to express artistic statements and career progression in the following criteria. They are scored on a scale of 1 – 5, higher scores are preferred. 

• Applicant(s) clearly expresses their creative process and conceptual ideas as demonstrated in their Artist Statement. (Worth up to 5 points)
• Applicant(s) clearly expresses their art making process as demonstrated in their Process Statement. (Worth up to 5 points)
• Applicant(s) will use studio to engage the public and create artwork that will be engaging to the public, not as a gallery, as demonstrated in their Engagement Statement. (Worth up to 5 points)
• Applicant(s) demonstrates that they match and understand their career level as stated above, establishing that they are on a path of advancement in their career as described in their Resume(s) or CV(s). (Worth up to 5 points)
• Applicant(s) demonstrates the ability to market themselves or be marketed in an engaging and professional way. (Worth up to 5 points)

 

THE HIGHEST SCORING 40 APPLICANTS SHALL ADVANCE TO PHASE III.

 

PHASE III

 

IN-PERSON PRESENTATIONS | MAXIMUM OF 25 POINTS | HELD ON JUNE 12 OR 15, 2024

Phase III is non-blind and considers the applicants’ artwork in person, and their ability to speak about and present their artwork. Jurors consider the applicants’ ability to communicate about their artwork, with an eye toward their desire to positively engage with the public. Jurors also review the artwork for quality.

 

Presentations will be held June 12, between 7 – 10 p.m. or June 15, between 10:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. at Torpedo Factory Art Center in the Overlook Room (325), though times and location may be subject to change with notice to applicants. Presentations are open to the public.

 

APPLICANTS SHALL OFFER

1.  A five (5) minute presentation (per application) of artwork via slides and two (2) actual artworks per artist presented to the jurors and open audience.

• Applicants need to provide a PC-ready flash drive with a presentation slides in PowerPoint or PDF of artist’s work.
• Applicant(s) shall request a time slot for their presentation after passing Phase I and Phase II successfully.
• Presentations shall be open for the public to attend.
• Applicant(s) shall be able to expand upon notions found in their Artist Statement and Process Statement.
• Jurors may take additional time to ask questions of the applicant(s) or to better view the artwork.
• Process examples or any other material is not permitted. Applicant(s) shall not give anything to the jurors to keep.

 

SCORING SYSTEM

The panel of art professional Jurors shall score Phase III on the applicant’s ability to present their artwork, and review of in-person artwork, using the following system:

• Applicants’ ability to express artistic information in an accessible and understandable way. (Worth up to 5 points)
• Applicant(s) demonstrates a strong interest in being at Torpedo Factory Art Center and expresses a positive working attitude, professionalism, an interest in working within a community of artists, and a desire to engage with the public. (Worth up to 5 points)
• Applicants’ in-person artwork matches the quality of artwork displayed as digital files. (Worth up to 5 points)
• Applicants’ in-person artwork displays a level of craft and mastery of media to express the artists’ intentions. (Worth up to 10 points)

 

STUDIOS OPEN FOR CONSIDERATION

Applicant(s) may select up to 5 studios from this list for placement consideration. Rank them on your application, in the order of your choosing, first listed indicates your first choice, second listed indicates your second choice, and so on. The higher the application scores, the more likely to get a first or second choice. It is not guaranteed that a successful application shall receive any of their top choices, but staff will take all available measures to match applications with like studios. Artists in shared studios often divide these costs among themselves. If you are preparing a group submission, please discuss the group’s expectations and financial arrangements before applying together for a three-year lease.

 

These cost estimates are for the first year only. They are based on $17.91 per sq. ft. starting in Fall 2024. There will be a 3% rate increase each year of the lease’s three-year term. Click here to see the studios. 

Find Studios Open For Consideration at torpedofactory.org/2024studios.

___________________________
1. The Art Center and City of Alexandria reserves the right to make changes during the Open Call process to achieve the stated objectives of the City of Alexandria, alexandriava.gov. Aside from a written legal agreement signed by the City, the Art Center and the City of Alexandria are not bound to any specified course of action and will act in the best interest of the residents of Alexandria. If a current Resident Artist or Artist Pro Tem applies and is not accepted, they lose their position. If a Pro Tem was granted a studio for a short lease, they may apply to maintain the lease or choose to let the lease expire and remain a Pro Tem for the remainder of their tenure.

2. Artists who have received a default notice or notice that they may not lease/sublease in the future from the City of Alexandria are ineligible to apply. Employees of the City of Alexandria and their immediate family are ineligible to apply.

3. Current Resident Artists at the Torpedo Factory Art Center shall email torpedofactory@alexandriava.gov to get an application link. Please note, if you do pay for the application, you will not be reimbursed.

4. If found to be untrue, applicants will be removed from the process and/or will lose privileges awarded because of this process.

5. If a juror recuses themselves from scoring an applicant based on a conflict of interest outlined in the juror’s agreement, or if a juror is unable to perform their duties for any reason, then the applicant shall be scored based on a percentage of the remaining jurors’ scores. Email torpedofactor@alexandriava.org to request a copy of the juror’s agreement.

6. As the Art Center is managed by the City of Alexandria, it is subject to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and therefore applications may be public information.

7. Applicants shall not take actions to influence the jurors outside of the Open Call process outlined herein.

Torpedo Factory Art Center is currently managed by the City of Alexandria’s Office of the Arts, a division of the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities. Learn more at alexandriava.gov/Arts or torpedofactory.org.

To request a reasonable accommodation, please send an email to torpedofactory@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.4570, Virginia Relay 711.