Churchill was an accomplished writer as well, establishing a close friendship with American publisher Emery Reves — who would inevitably begin to collect the politician’s paintings. Reeves would later die in 1981 but soon after his wife, a native Texan, would establish the Wendy and Emery Reves Collection at the Dallas Museum of Art.

In Churchill’s 1932 meditation, Painting As A Pastime[1], he begins with remedies to avoid worry for those who have to “bear exceptional responsibilities.” He states:

Some counsel travel, and others retreat. Some praise solitude, and others, gaiety. No doubt all these may play their part according to the individual temperament. But the element which is constant and common in all of them is Change.

Change is the master key.

 

Churchill seen here in 1948, probably in France.

 

*****

Preston Hollow is a northern suburb of Dallas, Texas and the home of former president George W. Bush.  It takes, according to Google maps, about 10 minutes to get from downtown Preston Hollow to 1717 N Harwood St, the home of the Dallas Museum of Art. Make a few turns here and there and inevitably, you are surrounded by paintings by the most powerful Prime Minister of all time.[2]

Since the news spread in early February of Bush’s new interest in painting, and the inevitable link between the two men, I’ve thought a lot about what it takes to take up any act of artistic expression after immense anxiety. All crazy theories aside, I don’t really think it’s that far fetched to assume that Bush, the recent (for-a-lack-of-a-better-word) “victim” of cyber hacking, is unaware of the paintings by Winston Churchill.

Churchill was pretty unabashed about the masculine attributes of his endeavors. Painting, he felt, was like fighting a battle. Speaking of his initial hesitation to begin, he realized “anyone could see that it [the canvas], could not hit back.” It was, in his opinion, great for reducing the worry brought about by public pressure.

Though subject matter for Churchill was always of a tame, amateur nature that had been in vogue for hobbyists for a long time. The typical English countryside, French landscape or an orchid set up are his most notable works—never (thank goodness) any implied nude self-portraits. Churchill did not live to see the post-Warhol world, though, and was probably too busy to notice the Abstract Expressionists or any other Avant-garde art movements at the time. After his initial stint as Prime Minister, he was briefly in the United States to give the Iron Curtain speech[3] and was probably monitoring The Cold War thereafter as Leader of the Opposition party.

So while in theory he proclaimed in Painting as a Pastime and elsewhere that painting held strong sentiments to war and  ‘conquering a canvas’, as it were, Churchill’s actual paintings were anything but war-like.

An example of Churchill’s paintings. He favored Orchids and other flowers with a contrasting backdrop.

*****

In order to make his plan, the General must not only reconnoiter the battle-ground, he must also study the achievements of the great Captains of the past.

He must bring the observations he has collected in the field into comparison with the treatment of similar incidents by famous chiefs.

…

You see the difficulty that baffled you yesterday; and you see how easily it has been overcome by a great or even by a skilful painter. …You will look at the masterpieces of art with an analyzing and a comprehending eye.

George W. Bush is rather famous for waxing over any misgivings about his presidency by saying on numerous occasions, “let history be the judge.” If Churchill has given a precedent regarding hobby-painting after leading a war-driven administration, is it safe to say that Bush is attempting to reconcile his previous gutsy, no nonsense Cowboy persona by tapping into his artistic side?

He wouldn’t be the first but he is certainly the strangest.

Also, The Art Institute of Chicago is looking for a new Associate Photography Curator.

THE ART INSTITUTE IS OF CHICAGO IS LOOKING FOR A NEW ASSOCIATE PHOTOGRAPHY CURATOR.

That being said, they will probably hire within… but regardless, join the masses and apply!

Details for all below. As always, good luck!

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Ox-Bow residency for MFA/Arts Faculty application time is coming to a close as April 5th keeps creeping up. Info Here

(psssst, if you’re a normal human who isn’t all up in that institutional drama, consider their Fall Artist Residency, which I will talk about a little later)

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Acre Residency, featured here, there, and everywhere, is accepting applications until April 15th.

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Associate Curator, Photography /// Art Institute of Chicago

Duties:

At the direction of the Department Chair, is responsible for conceiving permanent collection and loan exhibitions; researching and proposing acquisitions for the collection; researching the collection and contributing to scholarly publications; working closely with donors, scholars, dealers, and artists; supervising volunteers and special project staff; and contributing to fundraising activities.  Serves as coordinator or local curator for traveling exhibitions.  Develops relationships with artists and galleries that can guide future exhibition projects.  Conceives of appropriate programming and conducts gallery talks.  Takes an active role in conceiving and preparing the biannual Photography Gala.

Qualifications:

Must have a Master of Arts in Art History, preferably with a concentration in a photographic subject.  Must have at least 3 years of experience with exhibition projects, preferably involving photographic objects and preferably living artists.  Strong writing skills are highly recommended.  Foreign language abilities are encouraged.

All info, including the online application submission, here via the AIC employee portal.

This grant is open to visual artists who meet the following criteria:

• Artists who can show that they are at a defining moment to achieve growth in their creative and professional careers.
• Artists who demonstrate a strong and active engagement with, and professional commitment to, their artistic practice.
• Artists whose work as cultural makers impacts the development of art and culture in a meaningful way.

Applicants must be:
• A U.S. citizen or legal resident
• A resident of the Chicagoland region
• At least 21 years old
• NOT  currently enrolled in a degree-granting program or its equivalent
• NOT an applicant or collaborator on more than one proposed project

SELECTION PROCESS
Submissions are evaluated by a jury of three professional peers from Chicago’s leading cultural institutions as well as a representative from Chicago Artists Coalition and OtherPeoplePixels.

The 2013-2014 jury will be announced mid-March

AWARD CALENDAR
• March 31 (midnight): Application due
• April 1-15: Jury Deliberates
• Mid to late April: Announce Finalist/Awardee

more application info can be found here

As always – Good Luck!

Brit

Full information here: http://proximitymagazine.com/2013/02/call-for-works-proximity-number-11/

As always, good luck!

 
ACRE
2013 Application now open, deadline April 15th with $25 fee waved by February 15th

ACRE (Artists’ Cooperative Residency and Exhibitions) is a volunteer-run non-profit based in Chicago devoted to employing various systems of support for emerging artists and to creating a generative community of cultural producers. ACRE investigates and institutes models designed to help artists develop, present, and discuss their practices by providing forums for idea exchange, interdisciplinary collaboration, and experimental projects.

Residency: Steuben, WI
Exhibitions: ACRE Projects / 1913 W 17th St / Chicago, IL 60608

Our admissions panel comprises an impartial jury of established artists, critics and curators from Chicago and elsewhere. Jury members are asked to evaluate work samples and the written portion of the application. Scoring is based on quality of work, potential for growth, and feasibility of project proposed based on the facilities we offer.
Notification of acceptance will be issued in early May.

• 1 session (12 days), $600

• 2 sessions (26 days), $1200

• day rate: $60/day

full info available at http://www.acreresidency.org/

OX-BOW
2013 application now open, deadline for Summer MFA & Arts Faculty residencies is April 5th

Ox-Bow offers a wide range of opportunities for artists at all stages in their career. With year-round programs that cater to degree-seeking students, professional artists and those new to the field, Ox-Bow is a protected place where creative processes break-down, reform, and mature.
There are a variety of ways to engage in the program, from being a student, artist in residence, faculty member, visiting artist, or fellowship student.

Ox-Bow one and two-week residencies for Arts Faculty, June 2 – August 17th, 2013

Over the summer, Ox-Bow offers one and two-week residencies for artists who are also faculty members in the arts, in an adjunct or full time capacity. This program is designed to give teaching artists the much needed time to focus on their own work throughout the summer and also to connect to other faculty who are teaching at Ox-Bow.
Artists are selected upon the merit of their work and written statements describing their proposed use of the residency. During their stay, artists are encouraged to present a slide lecture or reading of their work and to participate in the community life at Ox-Bow. Recipients receive a small private studio and room and board. Please note that the classroom studio facilities are not available to artists in residence.

Cost: $225 per week, (includes room and board and studio use), due at the time the residency is awarded.
Deadline: April 5, 2013

Ox-Bow MFA Residency, three week residency, June 2 – August 17th, 2013

Ox-Bow will offer three to five 3-week residencies to MFA candidates from schools around the nation. Students must be currently enrolled in an accredited MFA program or have graduated from an MFA program on or after December 2012 to qualify. Students may apply as individuals or as pairs to live and work on campus on a project of their design. Applicants will receive one studio space, as well as housing for the duration of their stay (if applying as a pair, applicants will share a studio, as well as housing). Access to classroom studios and studio equipment is not guaranteed. Students should submit proposals to create work that is not dependent on studio access.

These three-week residencies are designed for graduate students who may not need the formal instruction provided by Ox-Bow’s traditional class structure.

Only one application is required from the applying group/collaboration. The first person listed on the application will be considered our main contact person.

Cost: $500 per 3-week residency for one artist; $800 for two artists, (includes room and board and studio), due at the time the residency is awarded.
Deadline: April 5, 2013

For full information, visit http://www.ox-bow.org/experience

 
The Bemis Center
Accepting applications for 3 month residencies featuring $750 monthly stipends, generously sized live/work studios and 24 hour access to facilities. Deadline February 28th, 2013 (!!)

The Bemis Center provides Artists-in-Residence with the gift of time, space and support.

TIME 3 months of uninterrupted, self-directed work time.

SPACE The Bemis Center is housed in two urban warehouses totaling 110,000 square feet. Each artist is provided with a generously sized live/work studio with a private kitchen and bathroom and 24 hour access to facilities including a wood shop, installation spaces, and 10,000 square foot sculpture facility.

SUPPORT $750 monthly stipend.

Applications are being accepted through February 28.

For more information or to apply: http://www.bemiscenter.org/residency/

Over the weekend I was away in DC (shout out to Chicago for being way cooler) and was inundated with residency info by a certain email happy Canadian. With the world aflutter of the upcoming BOLT and PLAND residencies, as well as the impending Ox-Bow, ACRE, and scores of other residency applications, we gon’ two part this mother. So lets do this. Break down below and as always, good luck!

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The nearly impossible to get into but is super badass and you should try anyway BOLT residency is now accepting applications with new subsidized studio rates (thanks to the Andy Warhol Foundation.)

From the website:

BOLT Residency is a highly competitive, juried, one-year artist studio residency program offering artists the opportunity to engage the Chicago arts community and its public in critical dialogue about contemporary art.  Located at the Chicago Artists’ Coalition’s (CAC) 8,000 sq ft West Loop facility, BOLT provides workspace, creative community, exhibition opportunities and professional development for Chicago-based, contemporary artists.

To apply you need to:
Complete online form
Upload Resume
Provide 5-10 Work Samples
Pay non-refundable, $25 application fee.

Complete info available here.

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PLAND

PLAND, short for Planned Liberating Art through Necessary Dislocation, is the zen cousin of BOLT. Where BOLT is a city dwellin’, PLAND is rural New Mexican. There is no formal application, interview and anxiety process, only love. You also have options… are you more of a two to four week resident applicant? Or a Building or Special Projects program person?

From my trusty Phone Book guide:
Part Alternative school, part laboratory, part homestead, part art studio, PLAND is an active solution for merging art and life.

APPLICATIONS DUE MARCH 15 at pland.info@gmail.com

Complete info available at www.itspland.org

pppssssttttt — if you have any opportunities you’d like to share, you can always tweet us @badatsports, or email us at mail@badatsports.com

Information below. Good luck!

Filter Photo Festival is pleased to announce an open call for photographic work for a juried exhibition, “Archetype Drift.” Filter’s 4^th juried exhibition will run concurrently with the Society for Photographic Education’s (SPE) 2013 National Conference. The exhibition will be held at Johalla Projects, a gallery located in Chicago’s West Town neighborhood, and will run from March 4^th – March 23^rd, with an opening reception on March 6^th. Archetype Drift will be juried by artist, curator, writer, and educator Jason Lazarus.

Dates

• February 4^th: Deadline for submissions
• Mid-February: Entrants are notified of juror’s decision
• March 4^th: Exhibition opens
• March 6^th: Opening reception
• March 23^rd: Exhibition closes

Theme: Archetype Drift

“The illiterate of the future will be the person ignorant of the use of the camera as well as the pen.” -Laszlo Moholy-Nagy

Photography can be a painful mirror.

Because of its illustrative tendencies and mnemonic capacities, photography enables us to tell the stories we want to tell with a hammer that is the frame. What happens when the medium gets in the way of the most important narratives?

Photography can be a seductive enabler that, at its worst, allows us to fetishize, beautify, and conduct shallow investigations. Meanwhile, paradigmatic changes in history and culture metastasize alongside new technological ways to make, edit, and distribute images. Are photographers pushing envelopes of meaning and relevance? Are they even keeping pace?

With the ubiquity of images high and low, how does an image-maker create cultural value in 2013?

Archetype Drift is a call for new methods of photographic making, editing, and presentation.  It is a call for risk taking, chance operations, relabeling, and letting go of the comfortable.  It is in itself an experiment and a (momentary) mirror.

http://www.filterfestival.com/archetype-drift-juried-exhibition/

Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

Application Deadline
: May 31, 2013
Position Start Date: 
Sep. 1, 2013

Visiting Artist, salary commensurate with qualifications. Contract will be for 1 to 2 years, depending on experience and qualifications. Position may be renewable for a limited term.

Applicants engaged in innovative work in any media with a strong record of recent exhibitions or related professional activities are encouraged to apply. Other qualifications include an MFA or equivalent and knowledge of contemporary critical and theoretical issues. Minority candidates are especially encouraged to apply.

Position commences Sept. 1, 2013. Priority will be given to applications received by Jan 1. Application materials to be provided online include 20 images or other appropriate documentation of work, selected syllabi of courses taught, names of 3 references with phone numbers and email addresses. AA/EOE. Apply athttp://www.northwestern.slideroom.com

Open Engagement International Conference

May 17-19, 2013

Portland, Oregon

submissions due January 4th, 2013

OPEN ENGAGEMENT is an international conference that sets out to explore various perspectives on art and social practice and expand the dialogue around socially engaged art making. The Open Engagement conference is an initiative of Portland State University’s Art and Social Practice MFA concentration. Directed and founded by Jen Delos Reyes and planned in conjunction with Harrell Fletcher and the Art and Social Practice students, this year’s conference features keynote presenters Claire Doherty, Tom Finkelpearl, and Michael Rakowitz. The work by these artists and scholars touch on subjects including public art, politics, art in context and education.

For Open Engagement 2013 we are bringing together these voices to reflect on Publics, Contexts and Institutions in relation to the current state of socially engaged art, education and institutional practice.

You are invited to contribute to OPEN ENGAGEMENT by submitting your proposals for projects, performances, tours, interventions, presentations, or panel ideas.

http://openengagement.info/

Recently compiled emails show that we have a little somethin-somethin for everyone. Michiganians have the upper hand on this one though. (…haha?) If you live in Detroit you should get in on this Kresge Artist Fellowship application and if you’re a bored PhD, Cranbrook prefers you. Columbia College has that baller book arts residency this winter. Humble has it’s new Fall/Winter grant application up. And, holy shit, SAIC IS HIRING.

2013 Kresge Artist Fellowships — $25,000 for emerging and established metropolitan Detroit artists

We believe your art invigorates our city. We believe that within our creative community lies a path to our imagined future. Your energy, your talent, your ideas inspire. We believe this so strongly that we’re willing to invest. In you. In a creative Detroit.

available in:

Literary Arts: Arts criticism in all categories (including literary, performing and visual), creative non-fiction, fiction, poetry, spoken word, and interdisciplinary work (including experimental work, graphic novels, zines and other hybrid forms).

Visual Arts: Art and technology, book arts, ceramics, collage, drawing, fiber, glass, installation, metalwork, painting, photography, performance art, printmaking, sculpture, video art, and interdisciplinary work (including experimental work and other hybrid forms).

Application Deadline: February 1, 2013

www.kresgeasrtsindetroit.org

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Cranbrook Academy of Art — Call for Critical Studies Fellowship

Cranbrook Academy of Art, a preeminent graduate school of art, design and architecture seeks applicants working in the fields of Critical Theory and/or Contemporary Art, Craft and Design Theory for a one-semester residential teaching fellowship for Fall 2013.  Please note: we are not seeking candidates who are primarily studio artists or who propose a studio-based series. (womp, womp)

Fellowship includes:
Stipend
Travel stipend toward R/T travel to campus and/or professional activities
Housing (private apartment on campus)
Fellows must reside on campus and be free from professional duties during fellowship (September 9- December 20, 2013)

Application must be postmarked by December 1, 2011.

To apply, send 3 copies of a packet that includes:
• Completed Application Form
• Letter of interest
• Academic CV (including bibliography of published work)
• Proposal of Series for the Fall 2012 semester (to include  2 lectures and 2 discussion topics)
• Names and contact information for three references (must include telephone number)

Mail application to:
Sarah Turner / Critical Studies Fellowship
Cranbrook Academy of Art
PO Box 801
39221 Woodward Avenue
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48303-0801

Founded in 1932, Cranbrook Academy of Art is located on a National Historic Landmark campus in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.  The country’s only independent graduate-only program in visual art, architecture and design, Cranbrook offers an intense and intimate learning experience for 150 graduate students in a community of studio-based programs where Artists-in-Residence mentor students to creatively influence contemporary culture.

For more information, contact Sarah Turner at the address above or: sturner@cranbrook.edu

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Anchor Graphics/Center for Book and Paper Arts Joint Residency

TIMELINE: • Completed entries must be emailed by December 1, 2012. • Notice of acceptance will be emailed by December 5, 2012. • The residency dates are January 7 – 25, 2013.

Anchor Graphics and the Center for Book and Paper Arts are offering a three-week residency this winter interim, from January 7–25, 2013. The residency is intended to provide time and facilities for a artist to work alone on a specific project.

The Centers are combining resources this year to offer an emerging or mid-career experienced book artist and/or printmaker a combination of resources to complete their artistic vision, including access to studio space and Anchor Graphics and the Center for Book and Paper Art’s top quality print, letterpress, bookbinding, and digital studios. There is also a housing and honorarium component to the residency.

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Humble Foundation NY – New Photography Grant

2012 Fall/Winter Grant Guidelines

Humble Arts Foundation established the New Photography Grant in 2007 to help support photo-based art projects in the U.S. and abroad.

How the Grant Works
Given twice annually (fall and spring), the grant is a $1,000 cash award that recognizes the strongest new proposal in contemporary art photography as submitted to Humble Arts Foundation.

Deadline: Friday, November 30, 2012, 11:59 PM, PST

Applicant Eligibility
We accept applications from photographers who are at least 18 years old, regardless of geographic location.

Project Eligibility
We will fund projects that are new or ongoing. Applicants should submit no more than one proposal requesting support for one project.

Review Process
Humble Arts Foundation’s senior curatorial staff will review projects for visual strength and clarity of proposal.

Submission Guidelines
Submit exactly ten images. Each image must be a jpg, 72dpi and 600 pixels wide only, that means the width of the top of the image, not the side (length).

Application Fee
Artist members: Free
Non-members: $49

Notification
December 2012

http://hafny.org/

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Full-time Faculty Position, Art Historian, North American Art, 1865–1945
Deadline: December 1, 2012

saic.edu

Good luck to everyone, always!