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OPEN CALL IS NOW CLOSED

Blitz was founded in 2013 as a grassroots, artist-run contemporary arts space, and it is housed in a four-level, typical Valletta townhouse, which was originally the family home of founder Alexandra Pace’s grandparents. After standing empty for over 30 years, the building slowly started returning to life through a dedicated and steady restoration process. Now, Blitz is a reference for contemporary art in Malta, and each of its floors shines in its full former glory with a project space for public programmes and workshops, an in-house artist residency and the exhibition galleries. Since its founding, Blitz has formed an identity and a presence which has extended beyond the island to the international art world, through prominent collaborations with institutions such as Royal College of Arts (London), Central Saint Martins University of the Arts (London), the European Graduate School (EGS) and the annual Network of European Museum Organizations conference (NEMO). In 2015 Blitz launched the Residency Programme which invited artists from Berlin, London, Wroclaw, Athens, Kuwait, Paris and Istanbul to participate via open calls with more than 200 applicants. Also, Blitz has received important mentions by ArtBasel Crowdfunding initiative (2015), and Tate Art Exchange Programme (2016). Today, Blitz’s international programme reflects the institution’s commitment to support and showcase Malta-based artists abroad, such as participation in relevant international platforms dedicated to non-profit art spaces. Simultaneously, our exhibitions and public programmes at home are mainly dedicated to established international artists. Their works have never been exhibited in Malta before, yet specifically resonate with Malta’s unique history, culture and social landscape as much as with the major challenges of our present society. Blitz’s activities have been featured in some of the most relevant international media – Artforum, Folha de S.Paulo, Flash Art International, Mousse Magazine, Weltkunst, Sole 24 ORE, Artribune and Abitare.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Blitz Valletta’s Digital Residency is open to highly motivated individuals from all artistic disciplines, including (but not limited to) new media, digital platforms, film, photography, performance, painting, sound, architecture, electronic music, installation, and will be selected through a competitive open call. Selected applicants must have recently graduated (2017 onwards) from an arts-related postgraduate degree and are requested to present a proposal for an original artwork to be produced and exhibited on our digital platform OPEN, dedicated to Blitz’s digital programme of exhibitions, talks and activities.

The residency will include a research and production phase of approximately one month, during which the resident artist will be in a conversation with Blitz’s curatorial team while participating in a mentorship programme with Art Critic, Writer, Digital Art Specialist Valentina Tanni, together with a minimum of three international visiting professors and project-specific technical experts. The production phase will be followed by the launch of the proposed new artwork, which will be exhibited online for a minimum of two months. Public engagement is crucial to the residency programme, taking the form of virtual open studios, a workshop and/or a talk for a community of artists, researchers, educators, professionals and students. All these activities will be performed virtually and must form part of the applicant’s proposal.

Blitz’s curator will be in discussion with the residents prior to and during the residency about their work and intentions. The curator’s role will be to guide, discuss and work with the residents towards an idea or concept that is agreed upon by both parties. Each resident has access to Blitz staff and associates, who will offer guidance and support, and introduce the resident to the institution’s network. Our aim is to foster and encourage collaborations that are sustainable beyond the framework of the residency.