Free art for all. That’s the motto at Amant. This non-profit arts organization is located right here in Brooklyn. Amant also has a location in Chiusure, Siena, Italy. It was founded in 2019. Amant fosters artistic research. It also encourages experimentation and dialogue. This is done through exhibitions and public programs. Artist residencies are part of the program.
Amant is a non-collecting institution. This gives it the freedom to focus on process. It also allows focus on dialogue. They share main threads through Study Lines. These lines appear in their programs and ways of working. The Study Lines also shape future thinking. Exhibitions unfold over longer periods. They are conceived as chapters. These chapters gradually connect to each other.
The goal is to pay close attention to the contexts. These contexts have shaped the practices. Amant aims to add interpretations. This is done by opening up conversations.
Learning is their main method. They engage with collaborators, colleagues, and audiences through learning. It is an ongoing process. It depends on awareness and attention. Curiosity is also key. They realize knowledge comes in many forms. These forms include languages and experiences.
The Brooklyn location is 21000 square feet. It has four buildings. It includes a multipurpose screening space. A cafe and a bookshop are also on site. The location is free and open to all. Amant supports established and mid-career artists. They are both international and local. The artists work across diverse fields.
Amant is committed to cultural partnerships. They partner with like-minded organizations in the U.S. and abroad. They activate new and ongoing conversations. This is done with local communities.
The residencies are three months long. There are four residents at a time. There is a Fall residency and a Spring residency. Residents get a studio. They also receive a monthly expense allowance. Round-trip transportation is provided. It is from their original locations. Artists are encouraged to obtain funding from external sources. This covers additional expenses during their stay.
Residents are selected through a nomination process. This happens once a year. Unsolicited applications are not accepted.
Amant provides a stimulating environment. It is a flexible environment for international practitioners. They conduct artistic research in New York. Participants are expected to be fully present. They should engage throughout the program. They attend all studio visits and seminars. They also attend events. Residents make regular use of their assigned studio. Being part of this program means becoming an active member. The connections and discussions are valued. Collaborations happen when practitioners come together.
The residency comprises individual non-residential studios. There is a communal area with a kitchen. Residents have access to outdoor spaces. All activities take place in person. Remote participation is not permitted. Physical presence is essential. Artists are expected to find their own housing.
Amant provides roundtrip economy transport. This is via flight, train, or bus to NY. They provide travel health insurance. A monthly MetroCard is included. They also get a monthly allowance of $4500.00 USD. This offsets the costs of research and accommodation. It also helps with day-to-day expenses. Residents benefit from the artistic team. They also get access to New York City’s cultural community.
Their goal is to foster process-oriented practices. The programs take on different formats. They also have different temporalities. They organize studio visits. These are with local cultural producers and local artists. Meetings are held with special guests. Visits to archives and museums are also planned. These are relevant to the residents’ practices.
Each New York Amant Studio resident can organize an evening. It is called For Your Reference. They share their way of thinking and interpreting. They also share their way of sensing. Swing by to see the latest residency project at Amant.