apexart Fellowship New York
In March/April of 2015 I was very fortunate to have been invited to do this residency. The apexart Fellowship is a model of residency programme I have not come across before. Most people who have done this residency, and also the apexart team comment that the apexart Fellow leaves with an experience and knowledge of New York more than most New Yorkers ever get to indulge in. From my experience, there is certainly truth to this statement.
30 days, up to 3 daily activities around NYC from morning till night, an apartment in Union Square right in the heart of Manhattan, meeting lots of people and visiting lots of places, happily getting lost, random occurrences, from aerial yoga to sword fighting to a jazz session in an apartment in Harlem, and more. Much more. I made close friends and colleagues who I continue to see in the city that never sleeps as a regular visitor now. Below gives a background to the ethos of the fellowship. Also, check out the online journal we where asked to keep daily - links below.
Thank you apexart team: Steve, Nancy, Botchy, Ryan, Elizabeth, Lorissa, Chelsea, and Gavin from Pallas Projects,, and the Arts Council of Ireland for supporting my time in NYC through the Travel and Training Award.
About the apexart Fellowship
The apexart Fellowship is an alternative program that invites creative individuals to leave their familiar surroundings for a month-long stay in a foreign country. The program provides new sources of inspiration through exposure to new cultures, interests, and experiences. Unlike an artist residency program, the apexart Fellowship provides a rich, 30-day schedule of non-art activities, all while requiring Fellows to refrain from producing creative works. The apexart Fellowship schedule prioritizes educational experiences that are outside of the Fellow’s stated interests. This diversity of activities leaves Fellows with new ideas, approaches, and content to incorporate into their creative practices.
In doing new and interesting things, and having time away from their usual responsibilities, apexart Fellows can reflect on what they do with greater perspective. apexart Fellows keep a public journal for the duration of their program, and participate in a recorded exit interview at the end of their Fellowship, which can be found online. By providing a space for contemplation and exposure to new experiences, the apexart Fellowship is designed to be a catalyst for creativity.