ASL videos: 
1)https://vimeo.com/84313857
2)https://vimeo.com/84313858
3)https://vimeo.com/84313859

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS 

Phonocentrism: A Deconstruction of Art Practices Forum for/by Deaf artists in Canada
May 4 to May 10 2014, Gatineau QC 

Project Objective 

SPiLL.PROpagation is very pleased to host an exciting artist retreat for Canadian Deaf artists, which will be held in Gatineau, Quebec on May 4-10, 2014. 

The 5-day workshop will be lead by Jolanta Lapiak, an internationally presented Deaf media and literary artist, and will be held in International Sign Language (ISL). The workshop will guide the group in identifying and constructing new art practices from a Deaf-centric perspective.
The artist retreat gives Canadian Deaf artists an opportunity for professional development and networking as well as developing skills in analysis and critique of arts practices from a Deaf perspective. 

This forum is made possible by the financial support of SPiLL.PROpagation, the Canada Council of the Arts, the Association de l'Ouie de l'Outaouais (ADOO) and the Ottawa Deaf Centre Legacy Fund.

Who is SPiLL 

SPiLL.PROpagation is a non-profit Canadian arts organization, led by a volunteer board of directors. We ignite a Deaf cultural presence within national and international arts and culture landscapes. We empower artists to explore and redefine Deaf-led artistic creation, through new and audacious forms of integrated art, including the performing arts, storytelling, visual arts, multi-media, and circus arts. Our mandate is to empower multilingual Deaf and allied artists working together to:

• Achieve the full participation of Deaf artists and equal recognition of Deaf culture, within artistic practices and arts communities locally and internationally.
  
• Showcase through art, the unique ethno-cultural perspectives, experiences, and identities of Deaf people and the richness of Langue des Signes Québécoise and American Sign Language.
  
• Develop innovative Deaf-centred art practices that manipulate and integrate various art forms such as the performing arts, storytelling, visual arts, multi- media, and circus arts.
  
• Enhance the creative and artistic capacities of Deaf adults, youth and children by offering high calibre arts creation, training and development opportunities.
  
• Engage in research, development, creation and production of professional works of art that honour and expand Deaf cultural practices.
  
  Background / Why a Deaf Arts Forum? 
  
  In 2013 SPiLL.PROpagation asked Deaf artists from Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto what they needed. Their reply was unanimous: A foundation – OUR foundation. To have a foundation they need:
  

1. 1)  Deaf artist models and mentors
   
2. 2)  Professional network of Deaf artists
   
3. 3)  Deeper understanding of what makes Deaf art unique
   

SPiLL’s Deaf -arts Forum will provide explores these topics and much more.  

Deaf people are a cultural-ethnic group. As such, their formal arts education and training are predominantly taught by members of the majority culture. Philosophical and theoretical pillars of arts and art practices/techniques are taught from a non-Deaf centric perspective and opportunities to learn the history of Deaf arts in mainstream arts programs are non-existent. Emerging Deaf artists are left to incorporate these dominate art practices and/or adapt them to their work. They then forge their own new Deaf-centric practices stemming from their world-view and cultural experience. 

This forum will bring the Deaf arts community together to learn Canadian Deaf ASL & LSQ arts and to take a critical look at the knowledge and training they have acquired in the arts, as well as identifying art practices and techniques that are innately Deaf. 

Location 

Retreat Centre in Gatineau QC. Participant accommodations, meals and meeting rooms included with registration. More details to come once participation is
confirmed. 

Qualifying Participants  

A participant must:

• Be a professional Deaf Canadian artist*;
  
• Be available from May 4 to May 10th 2014 and remain on site;
  
• Travel to Gatineau QC at own expens;
  
• Have working knowledge of International Sign Language to participate in the
  forum (a link to the ISL dictionary will be provided;
  
• Be fluent in Sign Language (ASL and/or LSQ;
  
• Complete the assignments and documents in preparation for the forum;
  
• Be ready to participate and bring knowledge, experience and ideas during
  the forums discussions;
  
• Pay $150 participation fee that includes workshops, accommodations, and
  meals;
  
  SPACE IS LIMITED – ONLY 15 Artists can be accepted 
  
  *Participants must meet the definition of “professional artist” as defined by the Canadian Council of the Arts:
  

• Has specialized training in the artistic field (not necessarily in academic institutions)
  
• Is recognized as a professional by his or her peers (artists working in the same artistic tradition)
  
• Is committed to devoting more time to artistic activity.
  
• Has presented in public 
  
  APPLICATION PROCESS 
  
  Deadline for applications: March 15, 2013 at 8pm
  
  Applications can be made in written English, written French, ASL and/or LSQ. 
  
  Application includes:
  

1) Letter of Intention of your interest to participate in the forum (2 pages or 3 min video maximum)

2)  Artist Biography (1 page maximum) 

3)  Artist Resume (3 pages maximum)  

4)  5 electronic samples of your art work, plus a page listing each work with the title, date, dimension or video length, medium.  

 Documentation Technical Details 

Upload all electronic documentation and videos to your Google Drive (via your Gmail email address) in one directory and share the directory to the addresses below. One submission per artist. 

SPiLL.PROpagation@gmail.com 
artist19@gmail.com 

Electronic Documents:

No paper submissions accepted. All electronic documents must be attached in .doc .docx or .pdf format.

File names must include the last name of the applicant. 

Video Documents:

No CDs, DVDs, USBs accepted

All videos must be saved in .mov, .mp4, or .wmv formats. File names must include the last name of the applicant.

If you have videos on Youtube, vimeo etc., provide the complete links. 

Electronic Images:

-Send images in .jpg format only
-Resolution 72 dpi
-Pixel count must not exceed 1024 x 788
-Title each image with the applicants’ last name and number (Smith 01, Smith 02 etc). 

Submit 5 images of art work only. If art work is being submitted by video, the video is not to exceed 5 minutes (if exceeded, the jury will cut viewing time). 

Please be sure your electronic documents work well. It is your responsibility that all of the requested document will be accessible to the jury and in the appropriate format. 

Evaluation Process 

All applications will be reviewed by the jury of artist peers. 

Deadline 

Applications must be received by 8pm on March 15 2014: SPiLL.PROpagation@gmail.com
Participants will be notified of acceptance by April 1, 2014. 

Contact us 

If you have any questions, please contact Tiphaine Girault, Executive Director of SPiLL.PROpagation at: 

Email: spill.propagation@gmail.com 
Skype: Spill.propagation
Website: www.spill-propagation.ca

* Jolanta Lapiak: http://www.lapiak.com