Basement Workshop
The Basement Workshop aims to support Singapore-based independent artists by providing a working incubation environment in which to create text-based work. Artists can look forward to space support for their developmental processes at Centre 42, where they will get extensive use of the Centre’s facilities at heavily subsidised rentals.
Interested artists should submit their proposals to Residence@centre42.sg.
Why are we providing dedicated support for independent artists?
Centre 42 defines independent artists as those who are not formally employed by any existing arts organisations. They could have associate relationships with these organisations, but on the whole they do not receive long-term funding and organisational support. An independent artist who is commissioned by a content producer could, however, be considered for the Basement Workshop support, depending on the requirements of his project and the formal funding received.
We believe that independent artists should be given more support in their creation process. Without being restricted by company ideology or artistic directions, independent artists occupy that realm of creative space that values dreaming and experimenting. Out of this, the Centre believes that the seed of good works can be planted, and nurtured if given an environment that is conducive for incubation, trials, and experimentations.
For independent artists, the availability of a workspace is often a key cost component of their content-creation process. Without a guaranteed source of financial support, independent artists are the most hard-pressed when it comes to being able to devote themselves to this critical upstream phase of creation. We hope that with the Basement Workshop, artists can give their ideas due space and time to be meaningfully developed, and give themselves the space to reflect and review on their processes.
Centre 42 sees itself as a collaborative partner for independent artists who are willing to work with the Centre with rigour and due diligence. Through the Basement Workshop, we hope to contribute to the growth of independent artists, and the nurturing of ideas.
What type of work qualifies for the Basement Workshop support?
The type of work that Basement Workshop supports need to be aligned to the Centre’s core objectives and identity as a workspace dedicated to process. The consideration of proposals thus adhere to these principles:
1. Process-focused – the artist must use the residence period for their developmental process and any public presentations should be organic to the process.
2. Text-based works – the work being developed must meet at least one of the following conditions:
(i) Manifested on stage as spoken text
(ii) Text is used but the manifestation on stage could be other forms than spoken text
(iii) The work is clearly driven by text, but no text is spoken or used
3. “Singapore” – the artist must be Singapore-based and the work being developed must be based on or directly related to Singapore; or the approach is influenced by the artist’s practice in Singapore.
