BIAP Introduction

Beijing is a city in motion, and its emerging contemporary art scene consequently shares that characteristic. More and more international artists want to witness this dynamic and apply for residencies in the Chinese capital. Platform China contemporary Art Institute wants to encourage this through the development of a residency program - Beijing International Artist Platform (BIAP) -- that offers artists an opportunity to work and live in such active city.

·Beijing International Artist Platform

The aim of BIAP is to establish an artistic and cultural window through which international artists can begin to gain a deeper understanding of China and to develop communication with Chinese artists. BIAP provide artists, curators, writers, designers, researchers and academics with an opportunity to live and work in China.

Since established in 2005, BIAP has set up five studios until now. Both located in the very important art districts in Beijing:

·East End Art district A

Two fully equipped artist studios are available in the East End Art District A, where the Platform China located. In East End Art District A, located in the Caochangdi village just ten minutes away from 798, is also a newly emerging artistic community. More and more artist studio’s and art centers are opening.

·East End Art district C

There are three studios available in East End Art District C. There are some good galleries here, such as Boers-Li Gallery, Galerie Urs Meile, White Space, Shangh Art Beijing, Chambers Fine Art and so on. More galleries and studios will be set up in the future. We will keep you posted.

Practical information

·Who can apply?

Visual or performing artists, critics and curators of contemporary art are top-priority for the program. BIAP is interested in emerging, mid-career and established artists. Artists are selected based on the quality of their work and their interest in working in Beijing. BIAP brings together groups of artists from a diversity of cultural backgrounds.

We also accept applications from writers, researchers, editors and academics from around the world who are interested of contemporary art in China.

The selection process is made by the BIAP Admission Committee.

BIAP has set up connections and cooperation with some international funding bodies or art organizations in order to support the artists. Please email us biap@platformchina.org for detail information of those funding bodies. You may suggest applying through their selection process within your own country.

If you are a funding body or an art organization that interested of setting up cooperation with us, please contact us: biap@platformchina.org.

·Duration of residencies

Most residencies are for eight to twelve week stays. However, the length of each residency varies with the individual.

·Expense

This program is managed on a not-for-profit basis by Platform China. Participants are expected to cover the costs of travel, living, accommodation, studio, and any related costs of individual special programs chosen if so; Whilst Platform China provides all the necessary support to make your time in China fruitful and enjoyable. Applicants are encouraged to seek funding from relevant organizations and letters of support can be provided to this end.

The cost for a studio is 8500 RMB per month including electricity, water, heating, cleaning(weekly) and internet. For the cost of one week or other length of stays, please email us biap@platformchina.org for detail information.

As info, basic day-to-day living expenses (food and transport) are about 300 - 400 euros per month. Please also add more budget for assistant, interpreter or potential fees for your own working plan during your stay in China. Platform China will only provide basic advice and help.

·Payment

BIAP residents may remit payments through bank transfer, and it must be 15 days before arriving or pay cash when you arrive.

·Refund

Fees will be refunded only with a minimum 30 days prior written notice.

·Open studios or exhibitions

Each participant can choose to have an open studio show during or at the end of his/her stay. But the artists need to apply this at lease 15 days before the open studio. BIAP can provide the basic promotion through our contact database. But the artist has to cover the cost of working material and publicity material such like posters and leaflets.

Also, there is a possibility to have an exhibition at Platform China. Please notice your wish of exhibition and provide an exhibition proposal beforehand to Platform China, as Platform China has also their own programs and the programs for the space always to be arranged few months beforehand. There is also a selection process and we need time to arrange the timetable for exhibitions. Once your exhibition proposal has been accepted, the use of the exhibition space is free of charge. Necessary support of installing works will also provide by Platform China. However, you will have to cover the cost of working materia and publicity materials.