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LABoral Centro de Arte y Creacion Industrial is calling for proposals from curators and researchers to develop a research and production project at LABoral for two months during 2008.

LABoral Centro de Arte y Creacion Industrial is an interdisciplinary art centre created in Gijon, in the north of Spain, in the 2007. Its main objective is to become a research, educational, exhibition and production centre in the area of art, science and technology. As part of its educational programme LABoral is establishing a new programme of residency aimed to curators and researchers who are interested in developing research or production as part of the lines of work of the centre related to the exhibition and production area. The current topics of research of the centre are: media and visual arts in general, gaming, video, robotics, architecture, design, ecology, science, technology, interdisciplinary and emerging forms of art.

The objectives of the call for curators in residence are:
- to initiate dialogue with external curators that are developing projects within the areas of interest of the centre
- to promote research and curatorial projects at LABoral within the Asturian region context and the industrial north of Spain
- to open up new possibilities of curatorial practice in the convergence of art, science, technology and industrial creation

The call is open to curators interested in the area of art and industrial creation. It is especially aimed at curators whose current research and interest deals with notions of knowledge dissemination through the exploration of emergent practices in art, as part of a general trend towards development of hybrid formats and media. LABoral Centro de Arte y Creacion Industrial will support one curator in residence for two months which must be completed before January 2009. LABoral can offer financial and technical support as follows:
- Travel costs consisting of return airfare from the curator�s country of residency
- Apartment accommodation for the duration of the residency
- A monthly allowance of 1,500 euros (before taxes)
- Work studio at the art centre, as well as equipment and expertise to support the project

The curator in residence will have the opportunity and will be encouraged to participate in the development of LABterritorial, an on-going project that deals with notions of territory from a contemporary perspective, within the context of industrial heritage and regeneration strategies. The submitted proposals must include a description of motivation and interest, proposed activities and objectives, biography and cv of the curator, as well as a description of how the project relates to LABoral. This material should not exceed 6 pages. The proposals must be sent by email. The submission will be reviewed by a committee of experts from LABoral. The contact email for queries is: education -at- laboralcentrodearte.org

Important dates:
- Deadline for applications: 30th May 2008
- Communication of selected curator: 20nd June 2008
- The residency must be completed before January 2009

Laboral Art and Industrial Creation Centre, which is being developed at the refurbished Universidad Laboral de Gijón, is seeking to appoint a Chief Curator to implement the vision of the Founders of the Foundation. This is an exciting and ambitious project which is creating within the former vocational training schools, a new centre for art and creativity, focused on exploring the links between art, science and technology. It is proposed that the Centre, based in Asturias, will provide a focal point for the creative industries and will act as a driving force for the future City of Culture based at the Universidad Laboral de Gijón.

The Chief Curator will be expected to contribute to the development of the programme of the new Centre in accordance with its mission, vision and objectives, as established by the Director; he or she will be required to establish the framework and the infrastructure to encourage the development of creative industries, developing workshops and laboratories and attracting leading experts in the field, the curator will propose exhibition concepts to be developed in accordance with the Centre’s areas of interest (art and technology), and will ensure that the mechanism for storage, restoration, conservation and registration of exhibits are in place.

A University degree with major in art and technology or equivalent. Experience of at least five years in a similar post (conception and organization of exhibitions and/or festivals). Good working knowledge of emerging art and optimal contacts in Spain and abroad. Proven experience in the development of interdisciplinary projects, as well as of installations within the realm of interaction and telecommunications. Other skills considered are experience in the conception of radio, television and Internet projects, as well as in the organisation of laboratories and workshops for advanced production and training in any of the following specialities: robotics, artificial intelligence, experimental television, audiovisual image and experimental video, animation, virtual reality, game art or similar disciplines. Capacity to liaise between the Centre and artists and institutions in Spain and abroad. Demonstrated capacity to formulate concepts and ideas in writing. Given that English w ill be the working language, mastery of it will be required. However, knowledge of Spanish will also be positively valued. In the event of lacking necessary fluency, the applicant shall commit him/herself to learning it. Working knowledge of any other language will also be considered.

For an application pack and more information please contact: [email protected]

Closing date: March 1st, 2007