Ecosystems as Living Communities

“Ecosystems as Living Communities” UniCredit Group UNIDEE Connective Residencies 2024–25: Two production residencies at Cittadellarte-Fondazione Pistoletto with UNIDEE Residency Programs in collaboration with UniCredit Group.

Cittadellarte-Fondazione Pistoletto and UNIDEE Residency Programs, in collaboration with UniCredit Group, are supporting two production residencies for emerging international artists working with socially engaged artistic practices related to contemporary ecological issues.

The two selected finalists, an Italian artist and an international artist residing in Europe, will take part in a residency where they will create the proposed artworks, which will become part of the UniCredit Art Collection.

Objectives and theme
In 2024, UniCredit Group will launch a new collaboration with Cittadellarte-Fondazione Pistoletto and UNIDEE Residency Programs. The project aims to support artistic research and production in response to contemporary ecological challenges. It promotes interdisciplinary collaboration with scientific, technological, and humanistic research to contribute actively to society’s sustainable transformation.

In alignment with the mission of Cittadellarte-Fondazione Pistoletto, the vision and work of Michelangelo Pistoletto, and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this initiative promotes environmental protection and sustainability. It encourages emerging artists to take on a pivotal role in the process of social transformation by addressing urgent challenges related to climate change and the environmental and social crisis.

The theme for the 2024–25 open call, “Ecosystems as Living Communities”, invites artists to address with global, contemporary, and future ecological challenges, fostering positive visions of desirable futures. Emerging artists are encouraged to submit project ideas that explore ecosystems as living communities of humans and non-humans, challenging anthropocentric perspectives and promoting an ecocentric mindset.

During the residencies, which offer a fertile ground for collaborative research processes, selected artists will work alongside mentors and experts from various disciplines to develop new artwork.

Specifically, the artistic projects may engage with one or more of the following areas:
–Technological research, exploring how new technologies can enhance understanding and foster deeper relationships with ecosystems;
–Educational and pedagogical practices, employing innovative and transdisciplinary methods to engage the public with pressing environmental issues;
–Circularity in the fashion industry, addressing sustainable production processes based on recycling, reuse, and upcycling.

The residency and production
The production residencies, called UNIDEE Connective Residencies, aim to forge connections between artistic research and other sectors of society, fostering a multidisciplinary dynamic approach to building a beneficial network that involves researchers, associations, industries, organisations, and members of civil society.

The residencies will take place between March and May 2025.

The two selected artists will take part in a shared research phase, which will include meetings with tutors, researchers, and experts, as well as field visits. The residency program and schedule will be tailored to the selected projects and finalised in consultation with the artists. Therefore, a collaborative approach and flexibility in the development and implementation of the project, aligned with the research process undertaken, are essential. The works created by the selected artists will be publicly showcased and become part of the UniCredit Art Collection. Additionally, the outcomes of the projects will be disseminated online, helping to raise public awareness and promote responsible engagement with ecology and social transformation.

Residency time frame
March–May 2025: Residency and production of works at Cittadellarte (residency schedule personalised according to the selected projects and agreed upon with the two artists). Mid–June 2025 (tbc): Finalization of works.

What we provide
The program will cover travel, accommodation, and meal expenses for the artists. Selected artists will receive a gross fee of 6,500 euros, payable in accordance with international and local laws. Additionally, each artist will have a budget of up to 2,500 euros to cover the production costs of their final projects.

Application and selection
Eligibility
–The production residencies are open to emerging artists working with socially engaged artistic practices addressing contemporary ecological issues, with no restrictions on disciplines, media, or methodologies;
–Two artists will be selected: one Italian artist and one international artist residing in Europe;
–Candidates must be fluent in English.

Application process
To apply for selection, please fill out the online form.
–A motivation letter in English that explains your artistic approach and how your practice intersects with the theme of the residency (maximum 700 words);
–A portfolio (with a maximum of five relevant projects/artworks);
–A brief biography and CV (maximum four pages).

The open call for the selection of artists for “Ecosystems as Living Communities” UniCredit Group UNIDEE Connective Residencies 2024–25 is open from September 21 to November 3, 2024. The deadline for submissions is Sunday, November 3, 2024, at 11:59pm.

Please note that only successful candidates will be contacted directly.

Jury
Applications will be evaluated by a jury composed of the Advisory Board of UNIDEE Residency Programs (Andy Abbott, Beatrice Catanzaro, Juan Sandoval, Alessandra Saviotti).

Evaluation criteria
The jury will evaluate the applications based on the following criteria:
–Artistic quality in both the artist’s previous work, as presented in the portfolio, and the proposal for the residency themes (technological research, educational and pedagogical practices, circularity in the fashion industry);
–The quality and strength of the proposal’s connection to concepts of innovation, education, social inclusion, or sustainability;
–General criteria, including aesthetics, originality, conceptual credibility, innovative potential, and technical approach, will also be considered.