2010 COLAB | The Big Idea Online Digital Residency
CALL FOR APPLICATIONS
Mash-up, warp, bend, twist … CoLab (the interdisciplinary creative technology centre
at AUT University) and The Big Idea website (the online home of New Zealand’s creative
community) are calling for applications from creative practitioners, artists
and technologists interested in being The Big Idea’s first online digital
resident. Intrigued? Read on.
The artist chosen for the virtual residency will have a unique opportunity to use The Big
Idea website as both the source and the location for an online project that engages The
Big Idea community. The residency is for two months.
In a first for New Zealand, the CoLab | TBI Online Digital Residency is part of the CoLab
development strategy to support, innovation, the creation of new digital art work, and
collaboration.
About CoLab
CoLab is engaged with building capability through the creative use of convergent
technologies to support knowledge sharing, research & development, commercialisation
and community engagement.
The CoLab | TBI Residency is an exciting new opportunity advancing CoLab’s public
interface and research culture. CoLab’s public programmes also include a schedule of
lectures, research and development meetings, master classes, workshops, exhibitions,
screenings and live events and partnerships with other arts and technology
organisations.
About The Big Idea | Te Aria Nui
www.thebigidea.co.nz is the on-line home of New Zealand’s creative community and the
space where creative people find the confidence, inspiration, networks, opportunities and
tools to grow their big ideas into viable careers, projects and enterprises. It’s also a
strong and diverse online space where creativity, innovation and enterprise connect
across sectors, disciplines and communities.
With over 22,000 registered members (and growing) and many thousands of visitors
every month, The Big Idea is the most visited creative sector website in New Zealand. As
well as featuring the latest creative industry news, topical interviews and informative
columns, the site features job and opportunity listings, tools for career development,
profiles of creative practitioners, forums and a gallery where members can showcase
their work (whatever the medium).
The key objectives of the CoLab | TBI Online Residency

To support the development of innovative projects which encourage engagement,
capability and confidence with new technologies

To facilitate creative and professional development opportunities for digital artists
and The Big Idea community

To foster dialogue and exchange between CoLab members, partners and the public

To engage The Big Idea community in the process and output of a digital arts
collaboration
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About the online residency
One residency is available to New Zealand and Australian residents only (including
New Zealand artists or creative practitioners based in Australia) working in any discipline
and/or medium. Tertiary students, including PhD candidates, are ineligible to apply.
Length of residency: Two months
The residency is expected to take place between September and October 2010 with a
proposed schedule as follows:

Two weeks – set up

Three weeks – run project

Three weeks – documentation and commentary
To ensure a good fit between the artist/creative practitioner and CoLab & The Big Idea,
an application must be submitted.
Some great creative references include:

Jack Body Virtual residency:
http://www.thearts.co.nz/artist_page.php?aid=45

Ellie Harrison¹s Internet projects
http://www.ellieharrison.com/index.php?pagecolor=2&pageId=menu-internet

Douglas Bagnall, Cloud Shape Classifier
http://cloudy.halo.gen.nz/about

David Claerbout, Present
http://www.diabeacon.org/claerbout/intro.html

adaweb projects:
o Jenny Holzers truisms
http://adaweb.walkerart.org/project/holzer/cgi/pcb.cgi?change
o
Maciej Wisniewski¹s Jackpot
http://adaweb.walkerart.org/context/jackpot/

Lew Bladwin¹s Goodworld
http://goodworld.ws/

The BBC’s special report on SuperPower
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/specialreports/2010/01/100114_superpower.shtml

Also, BBC Documentary Competition: Submit 1-2 min film (topic:My
World). 50 to be broadcasted internationally by BBC
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/arts/2010/01/100119_myworld_terms.shtml

http://www.cyberformance.org/
Online residency scope

You will be working within the existing structure and systems of The Big Idea
website (www.thebigidea.co.nz). These include:
1. The Big Idea’s curation space and its technical aspects (e.g. The Big Idea runs on
a Drupal platform)
2. The Big Idea visitor and user community
3. Working closely with TBI Online Producer, Craig Barlow and TBI Editor, Cathy
Aronson
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4. Interactive community engagement (via CoLab, The Big Idea and other Arts
organisations). The selected applicant should join TBI community and build a
profile if they haven’t already (http://www.thebigidea.co.nz/user/register).
5. Working within the Terms and Conditions of The Big Idea website
(http://www.thebigidea.co.nz/faqs-help/terms-conditions), and the AUT IP policy
(download at http://www.colab.org.nz/node/39 )

The selected artist will be expected to use his or her own computer and programmes.

Accommodation in Auckland will be provided as part of the residency, if the resident
is from outside of Auckland. A residency apartment information sheet will be
provided to the successful applicant, along with a CoLab residency agreement.

Successful applicants will be responsible for all other costs associated with the
residency including insurance, materials and equipment.

Artists applying for the residency should address their capacity to meet the
insurance, materials, equipment and capability requirements of the residency within
their application.
Online residency terms
A participating artist/creative practitioner allowance of $75 NZ per day excl GST will be
paid for the 2 months of the residency plus a one-off fee of $750 (NZ) for the one-week
liaison in Auckland. In addition, accommodation and one return ticket to and from
Auckland will be provided if the recipient is normally based outside of Auckland.
The Big Idea will provide in-kind access to personnel, equipment, space and resources.
HOW TO APPLY
Please submit the following in your application:

A completed application cover sheet, which is on page 5.

Your ‘up-to-two page’ proposal, which includes:


a.
A brief description of your practice, activities, and previous experience with
collaborations
b.
A description of the proposed project
c.
A statement outlining how both The Big Idea and CoLab could benefit from
your residency
d.
A list of the resources likely to be required in order to undertake the project
Support material - no more than TWO of the following:

Five images in digital format

Five A4 pages of text or other printed material

Five minutes of video material

Five minutes of audio material

Five minutes of interactive material

Five URLs
Your summary resume (no more than ONE page) of you as an artist / creative
practitioner
Please ensure that:
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
The application is emailed as a PDF document

Your name appears on all pages of the application

All support material is clearly labelled
SELECTION CRITERIA
Selection criteria include:

The originality and innovation of the proposed project

The level of engagement and interactivity developed with TBL website and
community

The artist's track record and their familiarity with the proposed area of inquiry

A demonstrated willingness to work collaboratively with both The Big Idea and
CoLab

The anticipated benefits to the artist/creative practitioner and CoLab including PR
opportunities, profile building, contribution to a public programme and the potential
for an article in an international journal publication

The anticipated benefits to both the artist/creative practitioner and The Big Idea
including promotion of TBI online environment and community as an exciting place
to be, is a valid site for creative exploration of engagement and expression, and to
explore critically as well as PR opportunities and profile building.
KEY DATES
All applications must be received by 5pm, (New Zealand CST), Friday 25 June 2010.
Applicants will be notified in writing by email of the outcome of their application by
Monday 5 July 2010.
For further information and to discuss your application, please contact:
Dawn Hutchesson | CoLab Manager
Tel. (+64 9) 921 9566 | Email: dawn.hutchesson@aut.ac.nz
OR
Craig Barlow | Producer – The Big Idea
Tel. (+64 21 133 8091) | Email: craig.barlow@thebigidea.co.nz
Please EMAIL your application and support material to: dawn.hutchesson@aut.ac.nz
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2010 COLAB | The Big Idea Online Digital Residency
APPLICATION COVER SHEET
ARTIST/CREATIVE PRACTITIONER
Name:
Street:
Suburb:
City/State & Postcode:
Phone:
Email:
URL:
Other:
Registered for GST? Yes / No (please circle one)
Signed:
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