The Dead Media Residency - Video Archeology Lab (Due Apr. 6)
The Dead Media Residency - Video Archeology Lab
Deadline: April 6th, 2026
The DEAD MEDIA Residency is the first ever video art residency offered by the Video Archaeology Lab (VAL) operated by artist Michael Chernoff. This residency is a work and educational opportunity for artists across various disciplines who are seeking, or already incorporating, analog video media, visual effects, and electronic techniques into digital media and video/film projects.
Located in Buffalo, NY, Video Archaeology is a for-profit video art studio that collects, houses, and reuses obsolete analog video technology for creative projects and practice-led research. Its privately owned and maintained AV system and equipment is used for creating immersive media installations, digital recordings, and live visual effects. VAL is primarily seeking artists to utilize its Multi-Channel AV system to create new media art, videos, digital media, and immersive experiences.
The AV system distributes and displays recorded and live media to an interconnected TV Wall, and can process video sources in real-time with modular synthesizers and mixers. Residents can also access the lab’s equipment pool which includes a variety of camcorders, security cameras, CRT and LED monitors, microphones, cables, tape decks, e-waste VHS, Windows 98 PC, and retro videogame consoles. The residency also provides a DSLR and an HD Video Camera to artists for documenting their work, process, and exhibits.
We equally encourage both experienced and emerging artists to apply. Applicants can be media artists, photographers, filmmakers, VJs, performers, and other interdisciplinary practitioners. Residents receive guided tutorials and hands-on experience to learn about using our system, and individual aspects of analog electronics, camera, screen, and synthesizer technology.
The residency will happen from June through August of 2026. Individual residencies cycles will last 10 days. Each selected candidate can receive a $1200 stipend. Artists living outside of Erie County are eligible for a housing and travel stipend as well. Couples, duos, and collectives may jointly apply but receive a single stipend award. Residents will have 24 hour access to the studio, and WiFi internet.
All residents are expected to publicly exhibit work produced from their residency, in the form of either screenings, performance, installation, artist talk etc. Residents will also plan and lead a 2 hour workshop about a technique of their choice. The VAL will work with artists to promote and facilitate all exhibits and public programming.