Artist in Residency Program
Positions Needed

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Accomodations

Current Resident Openings:

Life Pieces to Masterpieces-visual arts

About Life Pieces To Masterpieces (LPTM) :

Located less than a block away from the Lincoln Heights public housing project in northeast Washington, DC, Life Pieces To Masterpieces, Inc. (LPTM) is an arts-based, indigenously led, non-profit, youth development organization. Since the organization's inception, we have remained true to our mission: “We provide opportunities for African American males (ages 3-21) to discover and activate their innate, creative abilities to change life-challenges into possibilities.” Our target population is the young men (and their families) living in Washington, DC's toughest low-income and public housing projects, who, statistically have a better chance of going to jail than going to college; or worse yet, dying at an early age.

Founded in 1996, LPTM took its name from the unique style of art its participants collectively create: painting canvas; cutting it into various shapes, and sewing the pieces together as a means of processing real-life experiences. Starting in 1996 with seven participants (apprentices) creating paintings (masterpieces) on a shoe-string budget; the organization has grown into a multi-faceted developmental organization achieving remarkable outcomes. For this success, LPTM's mission and methodology have been highlighted both locally and nationally. Through art instruction, academic support, and other daily developmental activities, we continue to progress toward our overarching goal: To nurture and equip our young men with the essential cognitive, social, and behavioral tools necessary for future success throughout life.

Artisans Resident Selection:

Over the years LPTM's service delivery system has evolved to include two distinct “arms”: LPTM Central , and LPTM Express. LPTM Central speaks to our main office site ( 603 50 th Street, NE ) that houses our administrative operations and provides daily programs to over 50 “LPTM Central Apprentices.” LPTM Express is used to describe our satellite sites where our LPTM Express: Destination Opportunity Curriculum is used to provide regular classes for approximately 50 youth in DC Public and Charter Schools , private schools, and community-based youth service organizations.

Although we have grown and do offer program activities other than arts (Academic/Education, Leadership Development, Exposure, Health, Ladies of LPTM etc.), we are grounded in our artistic origins, and continue to provide visual and performing art opportunities throughout the week for Central and Express Apprentices alike. We envision that our resident artist would work in tandem with our Art Director, offering art instruction and supervision during the daily art sessions, both at LPTM Central , and our Express sties.

The resident artist will be selected based on his/her experience and qualifications. The responsibilities will include:

• Training small teams of apprentices in varied visual artistic forms (dependent on the resident artisan's informal/formal training)
• Preparing apprentices for shows and performances
• Teaching and serving as a role model for program apprentices

Deadlines:

All proposals must be submitted to the Arch Development Corporation by Friday, September 15th, 2006. You will be contacted within two weeks of the deadline to schedule follow up interviews. Residents will be contacted the week of selection to meet the staff, make site visits and sign their contracts. This year long residency that begins the first day you move into your housing. Positions currently open are for the Lifepieces to Masterpieces program only. Also, for positions open, keep Lifepieces to Masterpieces, but change the Covenant House to "The Position for the Covenant House Artisans Program has been filled"

Organization's art space description and uses:

Currently LPTM Central is housed on the third floor of an old dormitory building at 603 50 th Street, NE. We have four administrative offices, two art rooms, a computer lab, and four bigger rooms where larger group activities take place. In addition to using the two art rooms for artistic activities, the three bigger rooms are frequently cleared for larger group projects. Also, our apprentices use the bigger rooms to practice the performing arts pieces for their Community Arts Presentations.

At the LPTM Express sties, we have use of classrooms, large recreation rooms, and even a school gymnasium where larger art projects can be facilitated.

Resident Sample Schedule for the 2006 – 2007 year.

Note: We do have some flexibility with regard to the hours that a resident would work. For instance, Saturday hours can be considered if that fits his/her schedule better.

About the Covenant House Artisans Program:

The Covenant House Artisans Program is a unique pre-employment program that delivers high quality, intensive instruction in the techniques and crafts of traditional and fine woodworking, in a professional-grade, hands-on learning environment, leading to employment. Each year, 24 young adults, ages 18-22, spend six months in our workshop developing the practical, personal and professional skills necessary to stabilize their lives, address their critical needs, and obtain employment as helpers in cabinet shops and related trades.

Artisans Resident Selection:

The resident artist will be selected based on experience and qualifications. Their responsibilities will include:

• Training small teams of Artisans who have completed three months of the program
• Aiding the shop manager in scheduling, material procurement and development of production jigs and fixtures
• Implement plans and procedure
• Serving as a role model in demonstrations of math & geometric problem solving
• Working regional and local craft shows (Enterprising)
• Teaching and serving as a role model for ‘at risk' youth

Deadlines:
Please submit your Letter of Inquiry via email or US mail to either the Covenant House or ARCH Friday, June 16 th , 2006 no later than 5pm.

The Shop:

The Artisans work shop is located in Southeast Washington DC and is metro accessible. The shop will be open to the selected resident artist during and after workshop hours. The shop includes:

• Three workbenches with double vises
• Electric hand tools including: sanding (belt, orbital and ¼ sheet); circular. Jog and reciprocating saws; biscuit joiners; cordless and corded drills; impact drill; die grinder; flex shaft tool; routers.
• Hand tools fro six students including: chisels, planes, western & eastern saws, marking & measuring tools, hammers & mallets, sanding, scraping and finishing tools
• Complete slow speed sharpening center
• HVLP system spray

 The Machine Shop

• (2) Router tables
• 10” table saw with feeder and guard
• Vertical panel saw
• 12” radial arm saw
• 24” band saw
• Disc and Belt sanding stations
• Drill press Mortiser
• 12” jointer
• 20” planer
• CNC Router (ShopBot)
• Laser engraver

Resident Schedule Sample for the 2006 – 2007 year.

During this sample week, a team of three Artisans and the resident artist begin production of a run of new product. Each morning, the team meets to warm up, make announcements, and prepare for the day's work. Together, they create a production plan, and goals for completion of every step in the process in order to meet their overall delivery plan in time to bring products to market.