OPEN CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

Residency Overview

The Jackie Opel Legacy Lab: “Innovating Tradition, Inspiring Generations”

The National Cultural Foundation (NCF) invites expressions of interest from talented musicians, dancers, and visual artists for The Jackie Opel Legacy Lab—a nine-month artist residency dedicated to preserving, reinterpreting, and expanding upon the musical legacy of Jackie Opel, the pioneer of spouge music. This residency is designed to honor Opel’s impact on Caribbean music while fostering innovation, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and cultural preservation.

The Jackie Opel Legacy Lab will provide an inspiring space for seven selected artists to reimagine Opel’s contributions to Caribbean music, particularly spouge, and to create a new body of work that will engage contemporary audiences and future generations. The residency will include:

• Studio Access for creative exploration,
• Mentorship from established artists and cultural practitioners,
• Collaborative Opportunities with other resident artists,
• Cultural Immersion through excursions, and
• Community Engagement with schools, cultural organizations, and the public.

The culmination of the residency will feature a major public presentation and the launch of an album that showcases reimagined and original spouge-inspired works. Additional outcomes include a dance performance, an exhibition by a visual media artist, and an educational archive, preserving Jackie Opel’s legacy for future generations.

Objectives

• Celebrate and Innovate: Honor Jackie Opel’s legacy and inspire a modern interpretation of spouge.
• Collaborate and Educate: Foster cross-disciplinary partnerships and produce educational materials for school curriculums.
• Preserve and Share: Archive the works produced, ensuring the relevance and accessibility of Jackie Opel’s legacy in Caribbean culture.

Who Should Apply?

The residency is open to:

• Musicians, dancers, and visual artists with a passion for Caribbean music and culture,
• Barbadians by birth or legal residents of Barbados, aged 18 or older,
• Current or former students of accredited music, dance, or arts programs or professional/semi-professional artists.

Residency Benefits

• Monthly Stipend for living expenses,
• Production Budget to support the creation of new work,
• Accommodation provided during select periods,
• Travel Support for regional travel, if necessary.

Application Process

To Apply:
Submit an Expression of Interest that includes:

1. A Project Proposal: Describe your artistic vision, how you would reinterpret Jackie Opel’s legacy, and how your work will engage audiences and contribute to Caribbean culture.
2. A Portfolio: Showcase your previous work relevant to music, dance, or visual arts.
3. Artist Bio: Share your background, experience, and connection to Barbados and the Caribbean cultural scene.

Selection Criteria:

• Artistic Merit: Quality and originality of your work.
• Project Relevance: Alignment with the residency’s goals to reinterpret spouge and educate the public.
• Feasibility: Clarity and practicality of your project.
• Educational Potential: Capacity to create work that can be shared with schools and community groups.

Deadline: Submit all materials by November 20, 2024 to kim-butcher@ncf.bb.

Key Dates:

• Residency Start: December 15, 2024.
• Final Presentation: August 27-29, 2025.

Join Us in Shaping the Future of Caribbean Music and Culture!

Through the Jackie Opel Legacy Lab, we are seeking visionary artists ready to innovate, educate, and share in this unique tribute to Jackie Opel. Come be a part of this transformative residency experience and help carry forward a legacy that defines our cultural heritage.