About Digital Diasporas
In 2021 we launched the first iteration of the Digital Diasporas, a distributed, remote residency which gave artists the space to research, cultivate their practice, and convene across borders. Last year's residents Tian Zhang, Amy Lam, and Casey Tang inspired many generative conversations and long-lasting connections about colonialisms in multiple contexts, sustainability and equity in arts practices, and all the ways in which we (human, non-human, and ecological) coexist in all our relations.
Digital Diasporas was a spacious opportunity for artists to do deep thinking and form cross-border connections without the pressure of producing a final product. This year, we are excited to bring back this open call for a second iteration with an additional residency host in the United States.
This Digital Diasporas Global Residencies is jointly funded by the Australian Council for the Arts and the Canada Council for the Arts, and the National Foundation for Australia-China Relations.
What we are looking for
We want to hear from artists and curators who self-identify and find it useful to gather under a "Sino and/or Chinese diaspora" cohort. This is a time for research, exploration and learning. We are looking for openness to collective, intercultural and cross-border development and research.
We welcome experimental, digital, and/or research-based practices, and people who feel an alignment with and interest in any or all of the host organizations' networks and programming. We’re especially interested in ideas that explore diasporic cultures and spaces, flows of people, goods and capital, alternative community and kin-making, digital cultures, media arts, philosophies of technology and place-making—and any intersections of these.
You can find proposals of past residents, finalists, and special mentions here.
Who can apply
Everyone is encouraged to apply, especially if you have never applied to anything in the past. We are particularly interested in applications that resist and interrogate stereotypical or reactionary impulses, instead turning our gaze towards the difficult but necessary conversations, care, and solidarities we might build across borders.
Digital Diasporas will host:
• one person who self-identifies as Chinese and/or Sino diaspora in or from Australia (citizen or permanent resident)
• one person who self-identifies as Chinese and/or Sino diaspora in or from Canada (citizen or permanent resident)
• one person who self-identifies as Chinese and/or Sino, regardless of what passport they hold or where they reside
Click here for the application link!
Extended Deadline: Sunday, February 19, 2023
midnight in your timezone, wherever you are
About the residency and hosts
The remote, six-week-long online residency will be facilitated by three host organizations in May and June. Each resident or collective will primarily work with one host organization in Australia, Canada, or the United States and all residents as a cohort will be in dialogue with one another through convenings. Each resident or collective will be awarded an unrestricted stipend of AUD $10,000 for their participation (CAD $10,000 for the Gendai Resident). Each host organization will design a program of remote/online mentoring, networking, research and development for the resident they host. The host organizations are:
• 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art (Sydney, Australia / the ancestral lands of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation)
• Gendai (Toronto, Canada / the ancestral territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples and now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples)
• Asian Arts Initiative (Philadelphia, USA / ancestral homelands of the Lenape peoples)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Send us any questions you have to hello@yaocollaborative.org and we'll add it to our FAQ!
“Am I part of the Chinese or Sino diaspora?” ie: am eligible if I am an adoptee / if I am not Han Chinese / if they have migrated away from China long ago / if only some of my ancestors are Chinese / etc.
Yes. As long as you self-identify as Chinese or of the Sino diaspora, you are eligible. We understand that "Chinese" is a continuously contested category and that there are vast geographical, linguistic, ethnic, religious, class, and ideological differences under this unwieldy umbrella. We do not expect nor desire applicants to be representative of all Chinese (or any other ethnicity or nationality of) people but rather we are looking for applicants who approach their work in specific ways and could benefit from engaging with others who also identify as Chinese/Sino diaspora.
“Am I eligible if I am undocumented in my country of residence?"
Yes. We are using an honor system and will not ask for people's documentation in order to apply or be eligible for the residency.
“Our collective includes members from Australia, Canada, China and elsewhere, can we apply?"
Yes. Collectives just need to have at least one member who meets one of the criteria.
“Do I need to find collaborators from other countries in order to submit an application?"
No. In fact, our hope is to help you find new collaborators through this residency!
“What outcome are you expecting?"
This is an open ended project that does not need to culminate in a final “work.” Digital Diasporas is a gift of time, virtual space, and support to think and connect.
“Can I apply as a collective?"
We originally offered this residency as an opportunity for individuals and collectives, however, because we cannot increase the stipend for collectives we have decided to just accept individuals this year. Individuals who are part of a collective are certainly welcome to apply.
“Is this residency medium specific?"
No, artists of all mediums may apply. This includes artists who work with performance art, visual art, digital art, and any other kind of artistic practice.
“Do I need to provide a website for the application?"
No, we are open to receiving applications in whichever way is easiest for the applicant. There is a section on the form where the applicant should provide information about how to access their work, for example a password or instructions. We recommend sharing a Google Drive or Drop Box. Please remember to allow viewing access.
“How will you provide communication equity during this digital residency?"
This residency is co-designed between the artist and the residency host. There is a lot of flexibility in how the two parties can communicate digitally. We have a budget set aside specifically for accommodations, which could include providing sign language interpretation, tech support, captioning, scheduled breaks away from the computer, etc. We will work with the residency hosts before and after resident selection to make sure accommodations are respected and upheld with care. We encourage applicants to put accommodations requests in the application. No one will be turned away because of a request, it just helps us plan and begin a conversations about needs that we have not anticipated yet.
2021年，我们启动了第一届“联网离散”项目，这是一个分布式的线上驻留项目，旨在为艺术家提供一个对创作进行调研和提升的机会，同时不受国界限制地与其他参与者进行交流。去年参加驻留的艺术家包括了Amy Lam、Tian Zhang和Casey Tang。他们就许多话题展开了工作和精彩的讨论，其中包括了多种背景下的殖民主义、艺术实践的可持续性和公平性，以及我们（人类、非人类和生态）在所有关系中共存的方式。这个过程中激发了很多衍生的讨论与思考，也促成了很多超越驻地的友情和连结。
上一期的“联网离散”项目并没有给艺术家们必须完成一个最终完整作品的压力。相反，项目的重点在于提供思考和交流的机会，让驻地艺术家有足够的空间和自由度得以进行更加深度的思考，并促进跨越国界的交流。今年，我们很荣幸能够带来这个驻地项目的第二期，同时添加了一个位于美国的主办单位。
此次驻地项目面向的人群是对华人或华侨身份有一定自我认同，并且希望参与这个语境之下的讨论的艺术家、艺术团体或策展人。这是一个调研、探索以及学习的机会。我们希望参与者能够用开放的心态面对和参与具有集体性的跨文化、跨国界创作与研究。
我们欢迎实验性的、数字化的和/或基于研究的创作与实践，以及那些对任何或所有主办机构的人脉和项目感兴趣的人。我们对探索离散文化和空间、人流、物流和资金流、替代社区和亲属制造、技术哲学和地方制造的想法、或是以上话题直接任何的交叉点尤其感兴趣。
在这次的公开招训中，我们想听到认同中国以及离散华人的身份，并想找到同伴的艺术家，集体，以及艺术策划师的声音。现在是研究，探索，学习的最好时间。我们对于集体的，跨文化的，以及跨国界的发展和研究持开放态度。
我们欢迎实验性的，数字的，以及研究性的计划，以及对于所有三个主办机构的社会联系和项目感兴趣的申请者。我们尤其对探索离散人群的文化，空间，商品与资本，草根运动，非传统的集体以及其中的友情，数字文化，科技以及这些主题的交界处有关的点子。
这个项目由澳大利亚艺术理事会和加拿大艺术理事会，以及澳中基金会资助。
我们鼓励所有人申请，尤其是从未申请过此类项目的人。我们尤其对拷问并抗拒刻板印象，或者反应性的冲动，并将注意力转移到困难却重要的讨论，关怀，以及跨国界的共情的申请者感兴趣。
联网离散将支持：
一个来自澳大利亚的，自身认定为离散华人的个人/集体。（公民或永久居民）
一个来自加拿大的，自身认定为离散华人的个人/集体。（公民或永久居民）
一个自身认定为中国人的个人/集体，可以持有任何护照，居住在任何地区。
点击这里进入申请链接
申请截止日期：2023年2月15日
你的时区的午夜，无论你在那儿
这个远程，网上的驻地项目将被三个机构主办。时间为2023年四月中旬到六月中旬。被选择的个人/集体将主要和澳大利亚，加拿大，或者美国中的一个机构合作。所有的参与者将在集合时与对方对话。每位参与的个人或集合将收到不受限制的一万澳元参与资金。每个参与的机构将设计一个远程/线上的项目，包括为参与者提供指导，建立关系，研究和发展的机会。参与的机构是：
• 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art (Sydney, Australia / the ancestral lands of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation)
• Gendai (Toronto, Canada / the ancestral territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples and now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples)
• Asian Arts Initiative (Philadelphia, USA / ancestral homelands of the Lenape peoples)
“我算中国离散人群的一员吗” 或者：被领养的人可以申请吗？/我从没去过中国/ 我不是汉族/ 我很久之前就搬离中国/ 我的祖先只有一部分是中国人/ 等等
可以。只要你自身认定为中国人，你就可以申请。我们理解“华人”是一个经常改变意义的人群，其中有很多地理，语言，种族，信仰，阶级以及思想的不同。我们不希望，也不追求申请者可以代表所有中国人（或者其他国籍的人）。我们想找到的是对于工作有特定的方法，并能从与其他自身认定为中国人/中国离散人群的艺术家交流中收益的申请者。
如果我在所处的国家没有文件记录，我可以申请吗？
可以。我们采用荣誉制度，所有不会询问申请者的文件记录。
我满足三项要求，这会让我被选中的几率变高吗？或者，持有多个护照或者居住地的申请者，比如居住在加拿大的澳洲华裔。
原则来讲，是的，但是现实中，并不会。我们会优先选择在全球内没有很多关系的人，所以他们可以有机会创造新的关系。
我需要自己找到从其他国家的合作者来申请吗？
不需要。我们反而希望可以帮助你在驻地中找到新的合作者！
你们期待什么成果？
这是一个结尾未定的项目，所以你不需要完成一份结尾工作。这次驻地是一份时间，线上空间，以及支持你思考和与他人连接的礼物。
如果你有其他问题，请发送电子邮件至 hello@yaocollaborative.org。