LAB MFA - Summer Residency | Commissioned Project for current MFA students

Proposals Due MARCH 29th Midnight EST

Watch thet info session recorded on Monday March 18th, 2024

Opportunity Description

Locust Projects, Miami’s longest-running alternative art space, invites graduate-level artists to submit project proposals for an exhibition in our 625 sq ft Project Room during the summer of 2024. Exhibition proposals should reflect an expansion of an artist’s practice in conceptual scope, scale, or media. Proposals can reflect new work that will be created for the exhibition that has never been presented before or work created on site. Priority will be given to projects that demonstrate exceptionally unique methods, processes, or concepts, particularly those that could not be presented in a traditional gallery setting with an emphasis on site-specificity and installation. Artists addressing social justice issues including race, identity, gender parity, basic needs, climate change, environmental advocacy, and more, through their projects are encouraged. To see past examples of past LAB MFA and past Project Room installations, please see Past Exhibitions at locustprojects.org 

We accept proposals from artists working in any media and artists can apply as individuals or two-person collaboratives presenting a singular project. Special consideration will be given to artists who are presenting work that is directly related to their MFA studies or artists who have never realized a solo exhibition previously. Please keep in mind, we are not a traditional gallery space. If the exhibition could easily be presented in a traditional gallery setting or could be realized without the support of our organization, it is unlikely for us to consider your proposal. We are not a commercial gallery, we do not offer artist representation. 

All artists must be currently enrolled in an MFA program during the spring of 2024 to apply for the LAB MFA program. Locust Projects provides an artist stipend of $1,500, production budget up to $1,750. Production Costs may include (but are not limited to): production/fabrication, equipment rental, materials, specialized lighting, professional/technical support, public programs and activations and related participant fees based upon W.A.G.E. fee calculations, artist travel above and beyond the provided stipend, installation/construction labor above and beyond the provided preparator assistance, shipping, disposal, and any other costs required to realize and de-install the Project beyond basic infrastructure and artist fees provided by Locust Projects. Basic infrastructure provided includes: access to existing AV equipment, tools, and supplies as available, in addition to up to 20 hours of preparator/contract labor assistance during the install/de-install period. 

Locust Projects provides an artist stipend of $1,500, production budget up to $1,750 Production Costs may include (but are not limited to): production/fabrication, equipment rental, materials, specialized lighting, professional/technical support, public programs and activations and related participant fees based upon W.A.G.E. fee calculations, artist travel above and beyond the provided stipend, shipping, disposal, and any other costs required to realize and de-install the project beyond basic infrastructure and artist fees provided by Locust Projects. Selected artists are also eligible for a $500 stipend towards travel costs to and from Miami (for artists from outside of the area), and free accommodations for approximately 4 weeks located near Locust Projects.

As part of production budget, selected artists will commit to the creation of public programming which consists of conversations, performances, collaboration or other program presented in conjunction with their project and residency paying collaborators for their time based upon W.A.G.E. standards. Cross-disciplinary collaborations with other Miami-based organizations or individuals is encouraged. The residency will occur in conjunction with the summer co-hort of Locust Art Builders, an art immersive for up to 30 Miami-based teens that takes place in the Main Gallery simultaneous with LAB MFA.