The Coleman Center for the Arts
Artist Opportunities
The Coleman Center for the Arts’ (CCA) programs have evolved to answer the needs of our community. We use contemporary art to foster positive social change, answer civic needs, build local pride, and use creativity for community problem solving. Programs include an artist-in-residence program that is focussed in socially engaged participatory public art; an exhibition program that features the work of local artists as well as regional and national artists completing CCA projects; and an education program that offers year round educational opportunities for area youth.
The CCA offers artists and community members opportunities to work as co-participants in projects that address civic and social needs. Projects and processes employ mutuality, collaboration, and reciprocity among co-participants. Calling on models of both contemporary art and consensus based organizing, projects are not tied strictly to discipline or form. Works range from conceptual and performative to object based and functional. Some projects are realized fully within the community while others are anchored more traditionally in the gallery.
All artist projects begin with an introductory visit to York. These short 3 to 10 day visits are designed to introduce artists and the community to each other, and to influence further projects in the proposal stage with community exposure and feedback. Artists and curatorial staff work in collaboration to plan a community event such as an artist talk, a movie screening, an educational workshop, or a themed dinner party, etc. Further project proposals and implementation develop in a collaborative process with staff and community members.
All artist projects are characterized by close collaboration with the community. Participants are directly involved in the process and result of projects, which break down typical boundaries between artist, subject, object, and audience. This process allows each project to be developed on an individual basis, while ensuring that artists and participants sustain deep connections to each other and the work. Some projects may continue indefinitely, with artists returning for further activities over the course of many years. By sustaining long term relationships between artists, participants, and community, the CCA seeks to have a lasting effect on individuals, issues, and the means of production for contemporary art.
The majority of the CCA’s projects and exhibitions are curated, however if you feel you are a strong fit to our program we would love to hear from you. After reading the information above and investigating CCA projects, please send an email to colemancenter@gmail.com that introduces us to your creative practice and your desire to work in the York community.