Monira Residency, NJ

Residences

Applications are closed now. The new open call will be announced in the spring of 2024.

 

Who We Are:

Since 2011, the Monira Foundation (formerly Mana Residencies) has awarded rent-free, non-living studio space to artists for 12-month periods. Started by Karline Moeller and Ysabel Pinyol Blasi, this residency is the gift of time, space, and community.

 

Our mission is to provide a stimulating, rigorous, and contemplative environment where talented and committed artists benefit from a large studio workspace and the support of a vital creative surrounding community. Studio space is still critical to the practices of the overwhelming majority of artists but remains at a premium, especially in the New Jersey and New York tri-state area; a residency at Monira facilitates continued production and helps strengthen professional and intellectual bonds among diverse individuals. 

 

Monira Foundations Artist in Residence Program supports established artists working in visual arts media. All applicants must be at least 21, able to reside in the United States during the residency period, not be enrolled in a degree-granting program or other residencies at the time of their residency, and be able to demonstrate an understanding of our program. We encourage artists working in all visual media to apply. 

 

Program Overview and Facilities:

Selected Artists will have access to a private studio that is about 450 square feet. Each space has a sink and basic studio equipment like a work table and chairs. The spaces are adaptable to artists’ needs, with ample natural light, multiple electrical outlets, and internet access. There is also a shared kitchen space onsite. 

 

Residents are given a stipend each cycle for providing a public program and fully participating in the residency. The 2024-25 cycle stipend amount will be announced with the open call information.

 

In addition to much-needed physical space, residents will receive visits from artists, curators, critics, and collectors at specific points during their residency.

 

Special Notes:

Artists who are accepted into the program must be prepared to actively use their studio space and not be enrolled in any other program during their residency. Studios will be assigned on a rolling basis throughout the year, and not all artists will start at the same time. The program director will coordinate dates for each cycle. Given the nature of this program, we ask that artists consider their needs for a studio before applying so that they know they will thrive in the spaces offered. For the 2024-2025 cycle, studio spaces will begin opening from December 2024 to April 2025.

 

The residency takes place at 888 Newark Ave, Jersey City, NJ (inside the Mana Contemporary Building). The Path train has a drop-off location close by in Journal Square. There is also ample parking in the lot for those who drive.

 

Application and Selection Process:

Applications will open in early May 2024. In each application, we ask you to provide an artist statement (150 words),  tell us why you are interested in the Monira Residencies Program (250 words), and to submit 5 images or videos of your work. It can be in any media, though note that our program best serves visual art practices. No composite images or files with multiple images exceeding the 5 requested will be accepted (the application will not be reviewed). You may share video links as part of your portfolio. Each link will be viewed as part of the 5  and not additional. Please note in the description which sections to view and remove and password restrictions. Videos, images,  and statements cannot have artist names or identification on them as we work hard to keep our applications blind. Image descriptions should include title, media, year, and relevant description.  Our aim is to keep this application equitable and heavily focused on the work submitted. Reviewers will not see applicants’ names during the process and will only have access to the artist statement, the program statement, and the portfolio. They will not spend more than 10-15 min with each application, so plan accordingly.

 

Each application will also ask for general information and a recent resume for internal use only. Please ensure your Slideroom account is up to date when submitting, as we rely on their system to communicate during this process.

 

The Monira Foundation will convene a panel of arts professionals from New Jersey and New York to select the 5 artists for the upcoming year. This panel will only be announced after each cycle (about 10 weeks after the open call ends) and will change yearly. We will likely send notifications in late September or early October this cycle. For application questions, please get in touch with Anne Muntges at anne@monirafoundation.org

 

Jurors look for:

1. Artistic Excellence: compelling work with a distinct voice and vision.

2. Evidence of Commitment: A history of active engagement in creating artwork and presenting it publicly

3. Impact: Will this residency help artists further their practice and/or career?

4. Engagement: The artist participating will engage with the Monira Foundation community and the general public through studio visits and community programming.

 

The Monira Foundation is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and fostering mutual respect for all individuals and groups’ diverse beliefs and values regardless of age, sex, race, or ability. The Monira Foundation will not discriminate among any of these grounds and encourages all established artists who would benefit from this program to apply.

 

 

There is a modest $15 fee for each application. 5 dollars goes to Slideroom, and the remaining 10 helps pay our reviewers/curators for the time spent reviewing and thoroughly considering each submission. It also supports the program so that it can continue year to year. If you are unable to pay, contact Anne Muntges at anne@monirafoundation.org.

FAQS:

 

  • Does it cost money to apply? Yes, $15. This includes a $5 slideroom fee and $10 that the Foundation puts directly into program related costs. You may request a waiver if this is a hardship by emailing anne@monirafoundation.org

 

  • Can collectives or collaboratives apply? Yes. However, if accepted, the collaborative would share the resources offered by Monira Foundation including the stipend .

 

  • Do you provide Housing? At this time we do not.

 

  • Can I travel elsewhere during the residency? We do understand that life happens, but participating in this residency means being active in it We do not recommend any long trips or extended travel.

 

  • Do you have to be a US Citizen to apply? No. We accept all applicants who have a US Social Security Number and can fill out a W9 form for payment, including permanent residents, OPT holders, Indigenous people born in Canada who can live and work in the United States, among others. At this time, Monira Foundation cannot accept residents who do not have a social security number, and does not assist with the process of obtaining a visa.

 

  • What is the public program expectation and community connections? The Monira Foundation cosponsors 1-2 Open House events with Mana Contemporary annually, as well as sponsored visits from curators, critics and gallerists. Artists are expected to participate and engage as best as they are able for these things. Additionally artists will be asked to offer one public event during their residency. This can include a talk, a workshop, social media takeovers, or other engagement. This is always at the artists design and created around what they are able to do reasonably.

 

  • Do Monira Residents donate artwork? At the  end of each residency each artist will be asked to donate a work to the Monira Permanent Collection. These works will be stored safely, and available for exhibited throughout the Monira Foundation  locations in Jersey City, Chicago, and Miami and beyond. Ysabel Pinyol Blasi, Executive Director, coordinates with artists for donated works.
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Monira Residencies in New Jersey are supported in part by Public Funds from the Jersey City Arts & Culture Trust Fund

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Monira Residencies in New Jersey are supported in part by Jersey City Arts Council

The Monira Foundation is a member of the Alliance of Artists Communities.