General Information
Nomadic Red Corner is currently situated in the courtyard of Magic Land II, Community Center, located in the Uliastai area of Bayanzurkh district, which is a part of the Ger District, a unique sub-urban neighborhood of Ulaanbaatar city, surrounded by residential houses and gers of recent rural migrants. The area is 11 km from the city center.
The program aims to bring art closer to the residents of Ger Districts through the implementation of creative community development projects and the organization of artistic events and workshops. The residency offers a unique opportunity for artists to experience a neo-nomadic, minimal lifestyle by living and working together in a traditional nomadic dwelling called “Ger”. We encourage international and local artists to share their experiences, help each other, and organize workshops, events, and exhibitions in the community center and various places around the city.
The residency program was initiated by the Mongolian Contemporary Art Support Association and 976 Art Gallery and was established with the support of the Goethe Institute.
Open call
The project calls for visual and sound artists, curators, and art critics worldwide.
Duration of residency
We encourage a minimum 15-day stay. Although residency is open throughout the year, a more suitable time is from the middle of May to early October, as Ulaanbaatar gets extremely cold during wintertime.
Accommodation
Living in Nomadic Red Corner residency is a unique opportunity, which allows artists to experience a traditional Mongolian, minimal lifestyle. The residency compound has three gers, which are connected to electricity and the internet. Ger (often called yurt) is a round-shaped traditional Mongolian housing with a cone-like roof, covered by felt under canvas, which is used for thousands of years as a dwelling by nomads in the steppes of the country. Wooden structures and furniture of Gers are beautifully designed, using contemporary and traditional elements, and made by local craftsmen and contemporary artists. Two are used for accommodating artists, each has 3 beds, sheets, towels, shelves, and other necessary supplies for accommodating 6 artists in total. Another ger is used as a kitchen and has an electric stove, refrigerator, coffee maker, and other necessary amenities. The residency encourages artists to share the space and help each other.
Artists are allowed to use the shower, bathrooms, and washing machine of the community center, which is within 50 meters of their residence. Each ger has a sink for washing hands and dishes. As Gers are not connected to the infrastructure, artists need to carry water from the community center and use it for cooking, washing kitchen stuff, floor etc. During cold weather, fire can be made for heating, using a stove installed in each ger. Instructions for living will be provided.
Meals
Artists can prepare their meals using the kitchen amenities provided. Grain products, tea, coffee, cookies, basic vegetables, meat, egg, and some ingredients will be provided. During workshop days, the community center will provide breakfast and lunch.
Fees and support
50 USD per day (per person) for accommodation and food. Selected applicants will be required to pay the 50% deposit in three months advance. We encourage artists to apply for funds from international organizations, such as ASEF, Prince Claus Fund, or funding organizations of their respective countries for travel, research, and exhibition grants. For the selected applicants, the project will provide all necessary letters necessary for obtaining visas and grants. Funded residency projects will be announced individually.
Expectations towards the artist
We expect a close collaboration between Mongolian and international artists residing at the residency. Artists are encouraged to make some contributions to the community. Contributions can be in the form of artworks created in the Ger district, workshops, or events organized at the community center.
Support from the organization
The project will make sure at least one Mongolian artist will be taking part in the residency program. Local artists shall be responsible for helping international artists to know local places and art scenes, meet artists, visit ongoing exhibitions, and explore different areas of the city. The project team will also seek possibilities of supporting international artists, if they have special projects in mind, to implement with local artists. Upon request of international artists, the project team can organize trips to the countryside to visit nomadic families and natural places. For such trips, artists shall bear responsibility for covering associated costs. Short trips can be organized by project team members and local artists for free.
Studio / Workspace
The Nomadic Red Corner compound has a bus studio, which can be used for meetings, creating artwork, and storing various supplies and materials. The kitchen-ger has a big dining table and chairs, which can also be used for meetings. Magic Land Community Center has a library, coffee shop, conference room, and classrooms for art, music, and dance classes. The outdoor area of the courtyard has a calisthenics equipment set and a basketball court.
Application information
The applicants should send the following information to info@redcorner-mongolia.com:
– Portfolio and links to their work;
– Country of origin and current residence;
– A short description of the plan during residency;
– The dates they wish to stay at the residency;
– Any other information, the applicant wants to let the Red Corner team know.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions about our residency and its programs.
