Call to Artists: Collage the Planet: Trash as Material Artist Residency

About the Open Call

The premise of the “Collage the Planet: Trash as Material Artist Residency” is that science has the capacity to tell us how to care for the planet, but those solutions are meaningless if humanity doesn’t care enough to evolve and change. Art is a unique technology that can distill complexity into simple human gestures that, when experienced, facilitate a deeper understanding of our world. In short, art can be a tool for caring. What role can artists play in sorting through the complex social, political, and economic dynamics that shape our discourse around the environment and leave us feeling confused and powerless? How do we sort through such complexity and develop an understanding for ourselves of what an ethical and healthy relationship with the natural world could be? What is the relationship between our individual choices and the systemic change needed to bring humanity’s relationship with the natural world into harmony? How do we move beyond rhetoric, cliche, and performative actions and towards meaningful change? In this five-day, in-person residency, collage artists will create work that explores environmentalism in art and make artwork that contributes to a broader dialogue on sustainability and ecological consciousness. Residents will reflect on the balance between human activity and the environment and explore strategies to draw attention to issues such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and the impact of industrialization on our planet. This residency is particularly important to New Orleans, a city deeply connected to its natural surroundings and witness to ecological challenges and natural disasters that have left indelible marks on its landscape and community. Guest speakers include Jodie House, Jill Stoll, Erin Genrich from The Green Project, and Ric Kasini Kadour. The outcome is to support collage artists in adapting their practice to environmental issues, with an invitation to submit artwork to the exhibition “Collage the Planet: Trash as Material” at Kolaj Institute Gallery. The cost of the residency is $750 USD, with limited grants up to $250 available based on demonstrated need. Travel, accommodation, and meals are the artist's responsibility. The residency includes two virtual sessions (October 11 and 15, 2025) and five days of in-person activities at Kolaj Institute in New Orleans (October 20-24, 2025). Artists have 24-hour access to the space and general collage materials are provided.

What is Offered

Opportunity to submit artwork to the exhibition “Collage the Planet: Trash as Material”. Grants of up to $250 are available to offset the cost of the residency for those in demonstrated need.

Requirements

Artists are expected to attend all scheduled sessions, engage with guest speakers, complete readings, and use the time during the residency to make artwork. Artists are expected to arrive at Kolaj Institute in New Orleans at 10AM on Monday, 20 October 2025 and remain until 3PM on Friday, 24 October 2025. Artists are also expected to participate in the two virtual sessions on Saturday, 11 October 2025 (11AM-1PM EDT) and Wednesday, 15 October 2025 (7-9PM EDT). By participating, artists grant Kolaj Institute and Kolaj Magazine permission to publish images of work created during the residency. Application requirements include: Contact information, Artist Bio (50-250 words), Statement of Artist Practice (50-300 words), 5-7 images of artwork, Statement of expectations, and answers to questions about your work and needs.

How to Apply

The submission process asks applicants for: Contact information, Artist Bio (50-250 words), Statement of Artist Practice (50-300 words), 5-7 images of artwork, Statement of expectations, and questions about your work and needs. Submissions will be reviewed on a rolling basis until space is filled. Artists are encouraged to apply well before the deadline. Responses may not be sent out until two weeks after the deadline. Submit your application HERE: https://kasini.submittable.com/submit/334168/call-to-artists-collage-the-planet-trash-as-material-artist-residency.