Koubek Center Starts Residency Program For Local Artists

Miami Dade College’s Koubek Center has created an artist residency program focused on fostering relationships between creators and the local community.

En Residencia will begin this May. The new membership-based program will allow creatives to rent space at the Koubek Center in Little Havana for two-month periods for a maximum of two times a year. Artists who are selected will pay a $200 fee.

“It really is about opening our doors to our local artistic community so they can use our space to create their art,” said Melissa Messulam, the Koubek Center’s general manager. 

Applications for En Residencia will run through April 30 and artists can start as early as mid-May. It’s open to creators in any discipline—theatre, dance, literature, film, photography, music, visual arts—or experience level. 

“While we want to get artists into the program, we also want to make sure if we have someone who is just starting and may not have it all figured out, we are still open to accept those proposals and encourage them,” Messulam said. “After all, the Koubek Center is all about creating community not only with our audience but also our artists.”

Applicants will be chosen based on past or current projects, work materials and the project they want to work on during their time at the center. Artists whose work resonates with the center’s activities will be invited to participate in one of its programs.

“As artists who are often looking for spaces where we have enough room and availability to practice and improve, sometimes we just want a space where we can focus and get away from life’s daily distractions,” said local Caribbean singer, Keba Williams. “Not only is the Koubek Center providing a space for art but also building a community that will bring more art to the Miami Scene.”

Because En Residencia will be an in-person program, all members must follow CDC protocols such as wearing face masks at all times, going through temperature checks before entering the building and social distancing by staying six feet apart. 

Each artist will have their own workspace that will be disinfected after use. There will be hand sanitizer stations throughout the Koubek Center.

In the future, Messulam hopes to create workshops and masterclasses to teach artists about copyright and contractual law, social media networking and portfolio building. 

“It’s an opportunity for aspiring artists to create art without the clock ticking on us,” said dancer Pablo Malco. “As an artist you are constantly worried about a deadline, yet with En Residencia, the Koubek Center is giving us an open space to put out the best quality of work without pressure.” 

Visit this link to apply for En Residencia: https://koubekcenterrg/en-residencia/.