PROJECT EQUILIBRIUM | Empowering communities through creative interventions

Equilibrium: Artcore’s Upcoming International Artists Residency Opportunity in Rajasthan, India, in association with Sandarbh

Artcore is excited to announce a call for two UK-based artists to join our upcoming international residency, themed around ‘Art and Everyday Life.’

As we celebrate Artcore’s 30th anniversary next year, we are proud to collaborate with Sandarbh (an India-based arts organisation - https://www.instagram.com/sandarbh_residency/) on the third edition of Project Equilibrium curated by Shilpa Rangnekar.

We invite applications from UK-based creative practitioners.

This 4-week Arts Incubator program offers a unique opportunity for participating artists to engage with women’s independent self-help groups in Partapur, a village in Rajasthan, India, as well as 2 Indian artists.

During the residency, artists will immerse themselves in the local community, working closely with group members to co-create new works and processes through collaborative dialogue and active participation.

Together, the artists and community members will brainstorm and bring projects to life, producing unique, reproducible objects that embody a rich exchange of ideas, creativity, and skills.

This partnership aims to build meaningful connections across borders, empowering both artists and communities to explore and reflect on their shared environments.

Our shared vision of using art as a tool for inclusivity, community engagement, and amplifying diverse voices and experiences makes this collaboration a perfect synergy.

Together, we are excited to drive forward a project that fosters creative exploration, celebrates the diverse perspectives of artists, and connects communities across the globe.

We are offering each artist:

●      Airfare: Sponsored by Artcore (excluding visa application costs).

●      Local Transport: Transportation will be arranged for artists from the airport to Partapur and will be provided throughout the residency duration.

●      Accommodation: Rooms will be provided for the duration of the residency.

●      Workshop Opportunity: A chance to deliver a creative, skill-enhancing workshop at a local school.

●      Exhibition Opportunity: At the end of the 4-week program, artists will have the opportunity to showcase their work during an Open Studio Day. This public event will allow participating artists and members of the SHGs (self-help groups) to share their creations with the broader community.

●      Meals: Three simple vegetarian Indian meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) will be provided daily. A functional kitchen area is available for artists' use, and non-vegetarian food may be prepared there. Artists are responsible for purchasing their own groceries.

●      Studio Space: You will have access to a studio space for the duration of the residency. It is equipped with basic tools for stitching, welding, grinding, as well as simple carpentry tools such as a hammer, saw, and drill.

●      Dedicated Artist Blog: You will have your own blog to document and share your journey throughout the residency.

●      Material Costs: Each artist will receive a cash bursary of INR 25,000 to cover material costs for creating work during the residency (no other expenses are covered).

●      Publicity and Marketing Support: We will promote and share your work through our channels.

●      Mentoring Support: Artists will receive guidance and support throughout the residency.

Please Note: The residency is located in Partapur, a small town in Western India. Power cuts are frequent, and internet connectivity can sometimes be irregular.

Residency Timetable:

●      Deadline for Submissions: Please send your submissions by midnight on Sunday, 15 December.

●      Interviews of shortlisted candidates: Wednesday, 19 December.

●      Announcement of Selected Artists: Selections will be announced on Friday, 20 December.

●      Residency Start Date: Saturday, 25 January 2025.

●      Residency End Date: Saturday, 22 February 2025.

●      Exhibition Dates: Tuesday, 25 February 2025 (off-site in India)

About Partapur

Partapur is a small town located in the Banswara district in southern Rajasthan. It is part of the primarily tribal Vagad region, with the Bhil tribe making up the majority of the population.

Partapur, which is approximately four hours by road from Udaipur, a major tourist destination in India, has little involvement in the tourism industry.

In 2022, it was classified as a Nagar Palika, or municipality. Agriculture is still the mainstay of the local economy, but many residents commute to neighbouring villages and towns for work.

The primary employers in and around Partapur include public and private schools, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), marble quarries, a cement business, and a textile mill. People also practise crafts like ceramics, jewellery making, woodwork, stone cutting, and tailoring.

In this socio-economic setting, Beneshwar Lok Vikas Sansthan (BLVS) is one of several non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Partapur that assist women in forming self-help groups (SHGs).

The purpose of a SHG is to provide a support system for women and assist them in developing income-generating activities based on their abilities and resources.

An SHG might be an informal gathering of ten to twenty women or an established organisation. Groups can be formed based on caste, community, occupation, or location.

They are self-regulated, and women engage in enterprises such as sewing, quilt making, embroidery, bag recycling, spice and papad production, bamboo work, dairy farming, and running beauty salons.

Partapur has a fairly rich tradition in folk arts, and Sandarbh serves as a bridge for conversation and cultural exchange between the local community and artists from other regions

The main aim for Sandarbh, was to connect art with life and explore new formats of making art that are more flexible and open-ended.

Partapur is undergoing significant socio-cultural and economic changes, reflecting its evolving relationship with urbanity and modernity in its cultural landscape.

Eligibility Criteria:

●      The call is open to 2 artists from the UK.

●      We can support only one member of an artist collective.

●      Applicants must be over the age of 25.

●      Preference will be given to artists whose practice is rooted in dialogue and participation, focusing on social engagement with a host community.