Having a place to create, find resources and tools and experiment is crucial for developing an artistic practice. The MGA Makerspace, part of the Cyprus University of Technology, is such a space. It is the makers lab of the Department of Multimedia and Graphic Arts – hence the MGA – and it’s been operating since October 2017 serving the research needs and class projects of students. Think laser cutters, 3D printing, a drum press and all sorts of hands-on practices. Now, they are opening up their lab for four residencies with a €600 reward for each proposal, inviting artists to apply.
Over the course of the following autumn, the selected residents will spend a month in MGA’s workshops (at least 10 hours a week), to meet with university colleagues, technicians and students, to research, practice and present their findings to students and colleagues.
“Our intention,” says the team, “is the constructive involvement of the Multimedia and Graphic Arts department in the community, as well as the presentation of the capabilities of MGA Makerspace, through the development of new processes by the artists that will be selected.”
Residents will be selected through an evaluation process of the research proposal they submit, as well as the CV or creative file of the applicants. Some necessary qualifications the artists should have include knowledge of design programmes, the familiarity with basic hand tools, Greek as a mother tongue, as well as the ability to comply with the health and safety regulations of the university environment. University staff will be able to demonstrate the use of the equipment to the selected artists.
The residencies will take place between September, October and November 2021 and applicants should hold a Master’s degree and apply by April 15. To apply, they should send a 500-word research proposal, a short biography of 300 words and a digital portfolio up to five pages long to [email protected].
Find out more about the MGA Makerspace on its official website: www.cut.ac.cy/faculties/aac/mga/mga_makerspace
