August 18, 2009
2010 Visions awards announced

August 4, 2009
Visions Publication Released (2008 artists)

January 9, 2009
Creative Capital Names Visions Artists Among Awardees

July 29, 2008
2009 Visions awards announced

July 28, 2008
Visions Publication Released (2007 artists)

October 1, 2007
2008 Visions awards announced

January 17, 2007
2007 Visions awards announced

September 21, 2005
First Visions Publication Released (2004-2005 artists)

April 6, 2004
First Visions from the New California Awards Announced

  

August 18, 2009

Alliance of Artists Communities Announces 2010 Visions from the New California Awards

The Alliance of Artists Communities has named visual artists Iris Charabi-Berggren, Ala Ebtekar, Prajakti Jayavant, Rebecca Lowry, Ethan Turpin, and Meeson Pae Yang as the 2010 recipients of the Visions from the New California award.

Selected from a pool of over 300 visual artists state-wide, the six award recipients will each receive a one-month residency at one of the participating California programs in 2010, and a $4000 unrestricted stipend. The artists and their work will also be featured in a widely distributed publication documenting their residency experiences at the host programs, and will be invited to participate in a group exhibition, featuring the work of a number of Visions artists. 

The Alliance of Artists Communities, the nation’s only service organization for artists’ communities and residency programs, administers and directs the Visions from the New California project. The project is a collaborative initiative of six California artists’ residency programs, funded by The James Irvine Foundation, to support highly talented, yet under-recognized, California visual artists who represent the new California demographic.

Artists’ residency programs support working artists of all disciplines by providing them with both time and space to create new work, and with opportunities for interaction and collaboration with artistic peers and mentors.

The Visions from the New California project recognizes and supports six California visual artists each year. The 2010 award recipients with their host residency programs are:

  • Iris Charabi-Berggren, Interdisciplinary Art, from San Francisco - Headlands Center for the Arts in Sausalito
  • Ala Ebtekar, Painting, from Berkeley - 18th Street Arts Center in Santa Monica
  • Prajakti Jayavant, Painting, from San Francisco - Djerassi Resident Artists Program in Woodside
  • Rebecca Lowry, Conceptual Art, from Los Angeles - Montalvo Arts Center in Saratoga
  • Ethan Turpin, Mixed Media, from Santa Barbara - Kala Art Institute in Berkeley
  • Meeson Pae Yang, Installation Art, from Torrance - Exploratorium in San Francisco

A record number of applicants this year were reviewed by a prestigious panel of jurors, including: Kevin B. Chen, program director at Intersection for the Arts in San Francisco; Meg Shiffler, gallery director at the San Francisco Arts Commission Gallery; and Lava Thomas, an accomplished visual artist with studios in San Francisco and Los Angeles.

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August 4, 2009

Alliance of Artists Communities Releases the 2009 Visions from the New California Publication

Visions from the New California features the work and residency reflections of six California visual artists awarded fellowships in 2008 through the Visions from the New California project.

A collaborative initiative of six California artists’ residency programs, and funded by The James Irvine Foundation, this fellowship supports highly talented, under-recognized California visual artists who represent the new California demographic. Selected from a pool of visual artists state-wide, the six award recipients each received a one-month residency at one of the participating California programs in 2008, and a $4000 unrestricted stipend. The Alliance of Artists Communities, the nation’s only service organization for artists’ communities and residency programs, administers and directs the Visions from the New California project.

Artists’ residency programs support working artists of all disciplines by providing them with both time and space to create, and with opportunities for interaction and collaboration with artistic peers and mentors. Residency programs operate as research-and-development labs for the arts, supporting the exploration of new ideas and the creation of new work.

“Visions from the New California is more than a grant—it is an acknowledgement of the diverse voices that shape our world today and a recognition of the need for greater support to artists operating outside the mainstream,” says Caitlin Strokosch, Executive Director of the Alliance of Artists Communities which coordinates the project. “Not only does it showcase six extremely talented artists, but it demonstrates the value of California’s varied artist residency programs.”

The 2008 award recipients with their host residency programs include: 

  • Michael Arcega, Sculpture/New Genres, San Francisco – 18th Street Arts Center in Santa Monica
  • Nathan Cordero, Mixed Media, Sacramento – Djerassi Resident Artists Program in Woodside
  • Amitis Motevalli, Conceptual, Los Angeles – Sally and Don Lucas Artists Programs at Montalvo Arts Center in Saratoga
  • Christine Nguyen, Photography/Installation/Drawing, Glendale – Headlands Center for the Arts in Sausalito
  • Marco Rios, Sculpture, Rosemead – Exploratorium in San Francisco
  • Sara Velas, Painter, Los Angeles – Kala Art Institute in Berkeley

“It's an honor and a privilege to receive this award,” said award recipient Amitis Motevalli. “My day to day life has me grinding through work in art education and coming home to do my studio work. This time at Montalvo will allow me to step back from my necessary routines and critically look at the work and research I have been doing. I hope to be able to use this time to concentrate not only without the interruptions of life in LA, but also by placing me in a different setting and allowing me to think in new ways.”

[download the publication]

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January 9, 2009

Creative Capital Names Visions Artists Among Awardees

Creative Capital celebrates ten years with the announcement of its 2009 artists today. More than $2.5 million in grants and services has been committed to 61 artists across the nation, encompassing 41 projects in three disciplines: Emerging Fields, Innovative Literature, and Performing Arts. Among its 2009 grantees are Victor Cartagena (2004 Visions from the New California award-winner) and Robert Farid Karimi (2008 Midwestern Voices and Visions award-winner). Previous Alliance award-winners Lauren Woods and John Leaños (2007 Visions from the New California) were 2008 Creative Capital grantees.

Ten years ago, Creative Capital reinvented arts philanthropy, constructing a new paradigm to fulfill the specific needs of the country’s most innovative artists. Today, it is the premier national artist support organization, committed to the principle that time and advisory services are as crucial to artistic success as funding. Over the lives of its funded projects, Creative Capital provides artists with a flexible program of multi-faceted support and partners with them to determine how targeted funds and services can best work in concert to progress towards the grantees’ own goals. Since its founding in 1999, the organization has committed more than $14 million in financial support and services to 324 projects representing 411 artists.

Read the full story at creative-capital.org

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July 29, 2008

Alliance of Artists Communities Announces Recipients of the 2009 Visions from the New California Awards

The Alliance of Artists Communities recently named visual artists April Banks, Terry Berlier, Jane Castillo, Glynnis Reed, Josué Rojas, and George Two Horses as the 2009 recipients of the Visions from the New California award.

A collaborative initiative of six California artists’ residency programs, funded by The James Irvine Foundation, the award supports highly talented, yet under-recognized, California visual artists who represent the new California demographic. The Alliance of Artists Communities, the nation’s only service organization for artists’ communities and residency programs, administers and directs the Visions from the New California project. 

Selected from a pool of over 180 visual artists state-wide, the six award recipients will each receive a one-month residency at one of the participating California programs next year, and a $4000 unrestricted stipend. The artists and their work will also be featured in a widely distributed publication documenting their residency experiences at the host programs.  

Artists’ residency programs support working artists of all disciplines by providing them with both time and space to create new work, and with opportunities for interaction and collaboration with artistic peers and mentors. 

The Visions from the New California project recognizes and supports six California visual artists each year. The 2009 award recipients with their host residency programs are: 

  • April Banks, Photo/Installation, from Oakland – 18th Street Arts Center in Santa Monica
  • Terry Berlier, Sculpture/Installation, from La Honda – Exploratorium in San Francisco
  • Jane Castillo, Installation, from Chino – Headlands Center for the Arts in Sausalito
  • Glynnis Reed, Photography/Photo-Based Art, from Los Angeles – Djerassi Resident Artists Program in Woodside
  • Josué Rojas, Painting/Video, from Los Angeles – Montalvo Arts Center in Saratoga
  • George Two Horses, Mixed Media, from Long Beach – Kala Art Institute in Berkeley
A record number of applicants this year submitted work samples which were reviewed by a prestigious panel including: Armando Cid, a multi-talented, multi-disciplinary artist based in Sacramento; Ramekon O’Arwisters, curator of exhibitions at the San Francisco Airport Museums; and Lorraine Garcia-Nakata, publisher and executive director of Children’s Book Press in San Francisco.

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July 28, 2008

Alliance of Artists Communities Releases the 2008 Visions from the New California Publication

Visions from the New California features the work and residency reflections of six California visual artists awarded fellowships in 2007 through the Visions from the New California project.

A collaborative initiative of six California artists’ residency programs, and funded by The James Irvine Foundation, this fellowship supports highly talented, under-recognized California visual artists who represent the new California demographic. Selected from a pool of visual artists state-wide, the six award recipients each received a one-month residency at one of the participating California programs in 2007, and a $4000 unrestricted stipend. The Alliance of Artists Communities, the nation’s only service organization for artists’ communities and residency programs, administers and directs the Visions from the New California project.

Artists’ residency programs support working artists of all disciplines by providing them with both time and space to create, and with opportunities for interaction and collaboration with artistic peers and mentors. Residency programs operate as research-and-development labs for the arts, supporting the exploration of new ideas and the creation of new work.

“Visions from the New California is more than a grant—it is an acknowledgement of the diverse voices that shape our world today and a recognition of the need for greater support to artists operating outside the mainstream,” says Caitlin Strokosch, Executive Director of the Alliance of Artists Communities which coordinates the project. “Not only does it showcase six extremely talented artists, but it demonstrates the value of California’s varied artist residency programs.”

The six awarded artists and their host residency programs represented in this publication are:

  • Binh Danh (photography, San Jose) – Kala Art Institute, Berkeley
  • John Leaños (new media, San Francisco) – Headlands Center for the Arts, Sausalito
  • Yoon Lee (painting, San Francisco) – 18th Street Arts Center, Santa Monica
  • Sarah Perry (mixed media sculpture and illustration, Acton) – Djerassi Resident Artists Program, Woodside
  • Sergio De La Torre (photography and performance/installation, Oakland) – The Sally and Don Lucas Artists Programs at Montalvo Arts Center, Saratoga
  • Lauren Woods (film/video, San Francisco) – Exploratorium, San Francisco

[download the publication]

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October 1, 2007

Alliance of Artists Communities Announces Recipients of the 2008 Visions from the New California Awards

The Alliance of Artists Communities recently named Michael Arcega, Nathan Cordero, Amitis Motevalli, Christine Nguyen, Marco Rios, and Sara Velas recipients of the Visions from the New California awards. A collaborative initiative of six California artists’ residency programs and funded by The James Irvine Foundation, the award supports highly talented, yet under-recognized, California visual artists who represent the new California demographic. The Alliance of Artists Communities, the nation’s only service organization for artists’ communities and residency programs, serves as director of Visions from the New California. 

Selected from a pool of over 100 nominated visual artists state-wide, the award recipients will receive a one-month residency at one of the participating California artists’ residency programs, a $4000 stipend, and will be featured in a widely distributed publication documenting the residency experiences and host programs.  

Artists’ residency programs support working artists of all disciplines by providing them with time and space to create new work, and opportunities for interaction and collaboration with artistic peers.  

In the second of a three-year program, Visions from the New California will recognize and support 18 California visual artists by 2009. The 2008 award recipients with their host residency programs include: 

  • Michael Arcega, Sculpture/New Genres, San Francisco – 18th Street Arts Center in Santa Monica
  • Nathan Cordero, Mixed Media, Sacramento – Djerassi Resident Artists Program in Woodside
  • Amitis Motevalli, Conceptual, Los Angeles – Sally and Don Lucas Artists Programs at Montalvo Arts Center in Saratoga
  • Christine Nguyen, Photography/Installation/Drawing, Glendale – Headlands Center for the Arts in Sausalito
  • Marco Rios, Sculpture, Rosemead – Exploratorium in San Francisco
  • Sara Velas, Painter, Los Angeles – Kala Art Institute in Berkeley

“It's an honor and a privilege to receive this award,” said award recipient Amitis Motevalli. “My day to day life has me grinding through work in art education and coming home to do my studio work. This time at Montalvo will allow me to step back from my necessary routines and critically look at the work and research I have been doing. I hope to be able to use this time to concentrate not only without the interruptions of life in LA, but also by placing me in a different setting and allowing me to think in new ways.”

The participating artists’ residency programs collaborated on the pilot Visions from the New California program in 2004 and the Gulf Coast Artists Hurricane Relief Program in 2006 – both also supported by The James Irvine Foundation. 

 “Now in this second, three-year round of providing residencies to under-recognized California visual artists, we are far more cognizant of the powerful effect the whole program has not only on the artists who are ultimately awarded residencies, but also on all the artists who are recognized and participate in the process,” said Dennis O’Leary, Executive Director of Djerassi Resident Artists Program and Trustee of the Alliance of Artists Communities. “The awareness of the significance of residencies on an artist's career has been profound.”

Artists were nominated for the award by a pool of respected artists and arts professionals, and then reviewed by a prestigious panel including:  Anjee Helstrup-Alvarez, Associate Director, MACLA, San Jose; Diem Jones, Director of Programs, Arts Council Silicon Valley, San Jose; Kris Kuramitsu, Independent Curator, Los Angeles; and Larry Thomas, artist, Fort Bragg.

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January 17, 2007

Alliance of Artists Communities announces recipients of the 2007 Visions from the New California Awards

The Alliance of Artists Communities recently named Binh Danh, Sergio De La Torre, John Leaños, Yoon Lee, Sarah Perry, and Lauren Woods recipients of the Visions from the New California awards.  A collaborative initiative of six California artists’ residency programs and funded by The James Irvine Foundation, the award supports highly talented, yet under-recognized, California visual artists who represent the new California demographic. The Alliance of Artists Communities, the nation’s only service organization for artists’ communities and residency programs, serves as director of Visions from the New California. 

Selected from a pool of nearly 100 nominated visual artists state-wide, the award recipients will receive a one-month residency at one of the participating California artists’ residency programs, a $4000 stipend, and will be featured in a widely distributed publication documenting the residency experiences and host programs.  

Artists’ residency programs support working artists of all disciplines by providing them with time and space to create new work, and opportunities for interaction and collaboration with artistic peers. 

Over the next three years, Visions from the New California will recognize and support 18 California visual artists. The 2007 award recipients with their host residency programs include: 

  • Bihn Dahn, photographer, San Jose – Kala Art Institute in Berkeley
  • Sergio De La Torre, filmmaker/photographer, Oakland – Sally and Don Lucas Artists Programs at Montalvo Arts Center in Saratoga
  • John Leaños, new media artist, San Francisco – Headlands Center for the Arts in Sausalito
  • Yoon Lee, painter, San Francisco – 18th Street Arts Center in Santa Monica
  • Sarah Perry, sculptor, Acton – Djerassi Resident Artists Program in Woodside
  • Lauren Woods, filmmaker/documentarian, San Francisco – Exploratorium in San Francisco

“Like many artists, I spend a lot of time alone in the studio hopefully making something worthwhile to give to the world,” said award recipient Sarah Perry.  “To be recognized by the Visions from the New California program and Alliance for the Artists Communities gives me tremendous joy and renewed enthusiasm for continuing my work. It makes me want to breathe deeper and attempt something impossible. To be given acclaim, a stipend and an invigorating environment to sculpt in is just incredible.”

The participating artists’ residency programs collaborated on the pilot Visions from the New California program in 2004 and the Gulf Coast Artists Hurricane Relief Program in 2006 – both also supported by The James Irvine Foundation. 

“We are all very excited about collaborating together to celebrate, support and promote the work of outstanding California visual artists from diverse communities,” said Dennis O’Leary, Executive Director of Djerassi Resident Artists Program and Trustee of the Alliance of Artists Communities. “This project will both further the careers of the six selected artists and strengthen the California residency programs by introducing them to new artists who more fully reflect California’s population.”

Artists were nominated for the award by a pool of respected artists and arts professionals, and then reviewed by a prestigious panel including: Angie Kim, Program Officer, The Getty Foundation, Los Angeles; Laurie Lazer, Co-Director, The Luggage Store, San Francisco; Renny Pritikin, Director, Richard Nelson Gallery and Fine Arts Collection, UC Davis; and Victor Cartagena, artist, 2004 Visions from the New California award winner.

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September 21, 2005

Alliance of Artists Communities Releases Visions from the New California Publication

Documenting the project of the same name, Visions from the New California features the work and residency reflections of seven California visual artists awarded with fellowships in 2004.  The fellowships included a one-month residency at one of seven California artist residency programs and a $4000 stipend.

“Visions from the New California is a beautiful testament to the importance of supporting the artistic process of a wide range of artists,” said Deborah Obalil, Executive Director of the Alliance of Artists Communities who coordinated the project.  “Not only does it showcase seven extremely talented artists, but it demonstrates the value of California’s varied artist residency programs.”

The project was designed to recognize, reward and promote under-represented California visual artists.  The seven awarded artists and their host residency programs were:

  • Mooshka (aka Kevin Cata) at Headlands Center for the Arts, Sausalito
  • Daniel Lavitt at Headlands Center for the Arts, Sausalito
  • Midori Harima at Kala Art Institute, Berkeley
  • Ricardo Rivera at the Exploratorium, San Francisco
  • Victor Cartagena at the 18th Street Arts Center, Santa Monica
  • Taraneh Hemami at the Djerassi Resident Artists Program, Woodside
  • Andaleeb Firdosy at Montalvo Arts Center, Saratoga
[download the publication]

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April 6, 2004

Alliance of Artists Communities Awards First Visions from the New California Grants

Seven California artists were recently selected from a pool of over 100 nominated artists state-wide for this award which includes a one-month residency at one of seven California artist residency programs, a $4000 stipend, and inclusion in a publication intended to document their residency experiences and to promote their careers.  These awards are part of a project entitled “Visions From the New California,” created by the consortium of California artist residency programs who are active members of the Alliance of Artists Communities, and supported by a grant from the James Irvine Foundation. 

The project is designed to recognize, reward and promote under-represented California visual artists.  The seven participating residency programs include:  Djerassi Resident Artists Program, Woodside; Dorland Mountain Arts Colony, Temecula; 18th Street Arts Center, Santa Monica; Exploratorium, San Francisco; Headlands Center for the Arts, Sausalito; Kala Art Intsitute, Berkeley; and Montalvo Center for the Arts, Saratoga.  The Alliance of Artists Communities, the nation’s only service organization for artists’ communities and residency programs, serves as project coordinator.

“We are all very excited about collaborating together to celebrate, support and promote the work of outstanding California visual artists from diverse communities,” said Dennis O’Leary, Executive Director of Djerassi Resident Artists Program and Trustee of the Alliance of Artists Communities.  “This project will both further the careers of the seven selected artists and strengthen the California residency programs by introducing them to new artists who more fully reflect California’s population.”

The artists were first nominated by a pool of respected artists and arts professionals, and then reviewed by a prestigious panel including:

  • René de Guzman, Visual Arts Curator, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, San Francisco
  • Paul DeMarinis, Visual and electronic artist; Professor of Art, Stanford University
  • Leslie Ito, Acting Executive Director, Visual Communications, Los Angeles
  • Reina Prado, Curator, educator, registrar, and event coordinator within the Southern California Latino community

The panelists chose the seven artists who were then paired with one of the participating residency programs.  The artists and scheduled residency host and dates are listed chronologically below.

  • Kevin Cata (aka, Mooshka) at Headlands Center for the Arts, April 1 –31, 2004
  • Daniel Lavitt at the Dorland Mountain Arts Colony, May, 2004
  • Midori Harima at Kala Institute, May – June 2004
  • Ricardo Rivera at the Exploratorium, June, 2004
  • Victor Cartagena at the 18th Street Arts Complex, June 15 – July 15, 2004
  • Taraneh Hemami at the Djerassi Resident Artists Program, Sept. 14 – Oct. 14, 2004
  • Andaleeb Firdosy at Montalvo, December 2004 and January 2005

The artists’ residencies will be documented for inclusion in a promotional publication, due out in mid-2005. 

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