Locust Projects: Lab MFA

Locust Projects, Miami’s longest-running alternative art space, invites graduate-level artists to submit project proposals for the LAB MFA: R+D Mobile Studio program. With a milestone move to a new home, Locust Projects is revisioning LAB MFA in 2023.

This year’s residency and exhibition opportunity focuses on art and social practice offering current MFA students across disciplines the time, space and resources to be in residence for up to 4 weeks as part of the ongoing R+D Mobile Studio series. The goal of the residency is to allow for experimentation that creates a jumping off point for staging performances, convenings, artist activations, or happenings working with the available spaces in our new home. This is not a dedicated exhibition installation commission, but an adaptable and responsive multi-layered project responding to the new facility and neighborhood.

Proposals should reflect an expansion of an artist’s practice in conceptual scope, scale, or media. Proposals can reflect new work that will be created during the residency that has never been presented before. Priority will be given to projects that demonstrate exceptionally unique methods, processes, or concepts, particularly those that could not be presented in a traditional gallery setting. Please review the past R&D Mobile Studios projects to get an understanding of this program. LOCUST PROJECTS Artists can apply as individuals or two-person collaboratives presenting a singular project. Special consideration will be given to artists who are presenting work that is directly related to their MFA studies. Please keep in mind, we are not a traditional gallery space. If the exhibition could easily be presented in a traditional gallery setting or could be realized without the support of our organization, it is unlikely for us to consider your proposal. We are not a commercial gallery, we do not offer artist representation. All artists must be currently enrolled in an MFA program during the spring of 2023 to apply for the LAB MFA program.

Locust Projects provides an artist stipend of $1,500, production budget up to $1,750 Production Costs may include (but are not limited to): production/fabrication, equipment rental, materials, specialized lighting, professional/technical support, public programs and activations and related participant fees based upon W.A.G.E. fee calculations, artist travel above and beyond the provided stipend, shipping, disposal, and any other costs required to realize and de-install the project beyond basic infrastructure and artist fees provided by Locust Projects. Selected artists are also eligible for a $500 stipend towards travel costs to and from Miami (for artists from outside of the area), and free accommodations for approximately 4 weeks located near Locust Projects.

As part of production budget, selected artists will commit to the creation of public programming which consists of conversations, performances, collaboration or other program presented in conjunction with their project and residency paying collaborators for their time based upon W.A.G.E. standards. Cross-disciplinary collaborations with other Miami-based organizations or individuals is encouraged. The residency will occur in conjunction with the summer co-hort of Locust Art Builders, an art immersive for up to 30 Miami-based teens that takes place in the Main Gallery simultaneous with LAB MFA.