Round 24, I/O Residency

Cage Match Project (CMP) is a site-specific art installation series in which artists are invited to engage with a large, industrial caged-trailer. Measured at 20 feet x 8 feet x 7 feet, this weathered and rusted container resides in the exterior lot of The Museum of Human Achievement (MoHA) in Austin, TX where it is under constant exposure to the elements and 24hour public viewership. By fully embracing the caged trailer as both literal and conceptual context, CMP purposefully stages a narrative of the artist-at-odds – either with history, space, or a work of art itself.

The I/O Residency is tailored to junior and senior undergraduate art students and recently graduated artists in the Austin–Round Rock–Georgetown counties (Bastrop, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Hays, Travis, and Williamson counties). We welcome artists interested in the interplay between outdoor space, the confined space of the trailer, and the evolving nature of the artwork itself to apply for our "I/O Residency, Round 24" program. 

Qualified applicants must either be juniors or seniors pursuing an undergraduate degree or have graduated in 2023 or 2024 with either an undergraduate or graduate degree.

The title "I/O" stands for "input" and "output," representing the relationship between the artist's studio and the "gallery." We are especially keen on artists who are interested in thinking and creating outside the traditional gallery. This opportunity provides financial and spatial support to stage a narrative of the artist-at-odds, with either history, space, or a work of art itself. 

Written Example:

Round 21: cullective by Texas based artist Ariel Wood exposes a selective gathering. The installation invokes a possible system of water collection, yet elements are either still needed or slowly being taken away. There’s a suggestion of past or future use, yet current stasis. The form of a water tower is built with steel beams woven together with blue twine. Ceramic thrown and altered pipes and vessels are held in alignment via welded steel structures bolted to concrete pavers. Each element holds the potential for collection and conveyance, yet falls short of this linear progression. The structure of the cage itself, appearing to be parked permanently—its days of fluid mobility have come to a close—is wrapped in a burlap scrim disrupted by varying sizes of cut circular vents or viewing portals. Partially protected from both sight and the elements. Round 21: cullective utilizes the relationships inherent to the exploded-view diagram—a lack of delineated function and an emphasis on labor—to call attention to access, control, and connection or a lack thereof.

Cage Measurements

Length = 240 inches

Height = 96 inches

Depth = 84 inches

CMP will provide one emerging artist with a $2000 stipend,  studio space, and professional support at The Museum of Human Achievement from June 1st until August 17, 2025. Artist in Residence (AIR) payments are given in two parts. CMP gives an initial stipend of $1500, with the remaining 25% stipend given after de-installation. 

The AIR resident must complete a questionnaire in May to find a mentor. This 1-on-1 mentorship should occur 2-3 times throughout the residency, beginning on June 1st.

Standard promotion and documentation will also be provided. (For promotion and documentation examples, follow us on Instagram @cagematchproject.)

Lastly, the AIR resident will have access to tools provided by MoHA and 24-hour access to the caged trailer. Installation assistance is also provided. 

During the residency, the Artist in Residence (AIR) must work at least 8 hours per week at CMP's artist studio located at The Museum of Human Achievement in Austin, Texas.

The AIR is expected to create a new installation or ensemble of various works for an exhibition inside the caged trailer. Round 24's opening reception will take place on August 1, 2025.

Qualified applicants must either be juniors or seniors pursuing an undergraduate degree or have graduated in 2023 or 2024 with either an undergraduate or graduate degree. Preference is given to undergraduates who identify as queer (LGBTQIA+), Black, Indigenous, Artists of Color (BIPOC), gender non-conforming, and female-identifying artists.

Use the drawing below as a reference when responding to the following questions. Read below for tips before completing the long text boxes below. 

1. For the description, write about the materials you intend to use and how your process expresses your theme or idea(s).  

• Be specific about your theme, materials, and artistic approach/process.
• Discuss the relationship between your materials and your theme or idea(s). Does your use of material challenge, expose, highlight, or illustrate your theme or idea(s)?

2. Why and how you need a studio space

• Describe which key goals from your description would benefit from a studio space.
• Include a description of your process and which tools you will need and use in the studio space.

3. Responding to the elements 24/7

• Describe how your installation may respond to, become affected by the weather, or be sheltered.
• What would be the best-case scenario? What would be the worst-case scenario?
• Will the audience be able to interact with the installation?
• CMP provides timer lights that go on when the sun goes down. How does light play a role?

4. A simple budget list ($1500)

•  This section is meant to help you identify costs. These may include labor costs (your labor + extra assistance), material costs (raw materials and supplies), equipment costs (rental or purchase of specialized tools), and indirect costs (travel expenses, studio tools, etc.).
• Consider that the artist in residence (that means you!) will receive an initial stipend of $1500. After the closing reception, the remaining 25% ($500) will be given. This is meant to provide financial support now and in the future.

Cage Measurements

Length = 240 inches

Height = 96 inches

Depth = 84 inches

Use the drawing below for measurements in your sketch drawings/designs

Cage Measurements

Length = 240 inches

Height = 96 inches

Depth = 84 inches

Artwork & Image List

Upload the following. Read the instructions thoroughly. 

• 4 images of completed artwork 

• Image List

• 1-2 sketches of proposal

Images of Completed Artwork

These may take the form of sketches or supplementary images. JPG, TIFF, hi-res PNG file types. Name each file with your last name followed by its number (Jackson1.jpg, Jackson2.jpg, etc.) 

For 4D artwork, see Image List instructions.

Image List

Your PDF/Word Doc should include the following for each uploaded image: File Name, Title, Year, Medium, Dimensions, and Description (Ex. Past work, Sketch, In Progress, etc.) Include a Vimeo or Youtube Link for durational artwork. If uploading a sound-based artwork, include a Soundcloud Link.

Sketches of Proposal

• Sketches of proposals can include digital drawings or scanned drawings. Drawings may be monotone and/or colorful.

• Sketches may also be comprised of images

• Sketches should include measurements.