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Art Center Botopasi (ARTCEB) is an emerging platform for contemporary art with an artist in residency programme in Botopasi Suriname. ARTCEB is supported by the Sepu foundation and working closely together with artist run initiative ARTOTS from The Netherlands.

ARTCEB, a non-profit organisation, is working to widen artistic production possibilities outside the traditional institutional framework.
It is available as a residency for artists and as a location for workshops, exhibitions and conferences. Through art ARTCEB wants people to see possibilities and open their minds for cultural and social developments and to preserve the local artistic heritage in the interior of Suriname.
Therefore we encourage local art education by developing cultural activities in cooperation with schools and artists.

Strategy and working method
• Development and execution of educational artprojects.
• Collecting and presenting contemporary art.
• Offer working-, housing- and exhibition facilities.
• Initiate, maintain and extend collaborations

We do that by
• Artists in residence
• Exhibitions and festivals
• Putting together an art collection and to lend out art
• Educational programmes
• Assignments
• Seminars and lectures

ARTCEB will move into the first experimental phase in February and March 2011. Various types of creative activity and diverse creative practices, from exhibitions and performances to lectures, symposia and international art residencies will be tested and implemented. The experimental character of this phase foresees both long-term projects and spontaneous activities. They will be carried out both by the members of the local artist community, as well as artists and curators working outside. There will be an on-going search for the ideal model for using the residency. Artists can apply to take part in this experimental phase. Deadline for application August 10th 2010.

The residency is non-prescriptive allowing the artist to develop work in response to the environment. The selected artist will reside in Botopasi for a period between two weeks and three months. ARTCEB's residency programme offers visual artists a critical and practical support for the development of new work and exhibition opportunities.

We encourage each residency artist to give a lecture or art-class whilst there, which will be focused around their individual practice. These lectures or art-classes will bring a diverse range of people together and encourage the free flow of ideas.

ARTCEB wants to bring together and work together with artists, schools and local, national and international organisations in order to promote social and cultural development locally and to stimulate emancipation and cultural participation. It works to promote knowledge about contemporary culture from Botopasi and encourage international exchange and collaboration.

Residencies can be anything from approximately two weeks to three months.

ARTCEB does not offer financial support unless specifically announced. Applicants are responsible for seeking financial support for a residency.

Travel expenses, accomodation and subsistence unless specifically advertised as part of a programme. Artists are responsible for their own health insurance, materials and personal expenses.

The residency fee is € 300, - per month. It includes accommodation and workspace as well as choice of full board or self-catering. We always try to provide what you need.

In 2011 we plan residencies to take place between February and March. If necessary we can create another timewindow.

Our residencies are open to primarily sculptors, designers, installation- and performance artists, preferably working with recycle materials. We welcome applications from established professionals and emerging talent. We operate a rolling application's procedure throughout the year and an individual may apply only once during any 12 month period.

To apply, please email to artceb@artots.nl the information detailed below:

• CV – Max 2 pages.
• Artists Statement detailing how you intend to use your time at ARTCEB and the importance of the residency to your practice. Max 1 page.
• Max. 10 examples of your work saved as medium compression jpgs with the longest side 1000 pixels at 72 dpi or a link to an external website.
• The contact details of 2 references, e.g. professional colleagues in your field who knows you and your work.
• If you want your material to be returned please supply a stamped addressed envelope with your application. (Please do not send any original art work)

For joint applications, each individual is required to provide all of the information above with the exception that a joint artist's statement must be submitted.

Applications are reviewed throughout the year.

Applications are chosen by a panel who will assess each application on its individual merits. Their decision is final and not open to appeal.
Those submitting applications for projects that meet with the aims and objectives of ARTCEB take priority over other applications.

Selection is based on the following criteria:
The quality of the artists work.
Evidence of professional practice within the public arena.
The artistic merit of the proposed activity.
The benefit to be gained by the artist.
The benefit to be gained by ARTCEB, its partners and the region.
The appropriateness of the environment or location to the proposed practice.
The proposed level of engagement with the public.
Evidence of the ability to work independently.

ARTCEB strives for a mix of Surinam and international artists at all times.

Artists present the work developed during the residency on-site. The exhibition can also be suplimented by existing work.

4 studios.

An open-air studio under the wooden residency, approx. 80 m2. There is also the possibility for “rough” work in a large garden nearby, next to the Surinam river, as well as in a small privat workshop. A wooden studio with a floor area of approx. 25 m2, accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Workspaces can be resourced for specific residencies.

The landscape is all around you; the Amazonian rainforest in all its variety and of course the Surinam river. It can provide inspiration, meditation, introspection or stimulation; be worked with, responded to, or just there. The focus is on the creative process.

Choice of full board or self-catering. Access to extensive grounds, oudoor grill etc.

The local residents provide meals, cleaning and management support.
Preparing meals together with local residents.

Rainforest and river-side comfort. Some houses have been established to provide residents who love nature, comprising hand-carved images by local craftsmen.

Day-trips to neighbouring villages. Introductions to local musical instruments and artists.

By plane
The village Botopasi has an airstrip with internal connections to the city of Paramaribo. A one way flight takes aprox. one hour (± SD 300,-)

By bus and boat
You can travel by bus in 4 hours from Paramaribo to Atjony, last stop in the interior of Suriname (± SD 70,-). From there a regular boat service takes you in 3 hours to Botopasi (± SD 70,-).

There will be a regular programme of community/arts events at the village centre, including art exhibitions and the annual Picnic Concert featuring the musicians and the locals.

Depending on projects at hand.