Senior centers aren't just for bridge, shuffleboard, and bingo anymore. They are also, apparently, a place for high art — at least in New York, anyway. The city's Department of Cultural Affairs announced today a call for artists to participate in a program called SPARC: Seniors Partnering with Artists Citywide. The initiative will place approximately 50 artists-in-residence at senior centers across the five boroughs of New York City.

Along with work samples, applicants must provide program ideas — examples given include an oral history project, a portrait series, or a sculpture workshop — that will engage seniors in their own artistic practices. The goal of the project is to "connect artists with seniors in senior centers and positively impact the well-being of seniors through arts-based activities," according to a statement from the DCA.

Selected artists will work (but not live) at a senior center from January to July of next year. They are required to engage directly with the seniors for at least 40-60 hours of that time. In exchange, residents will receive a $1,500 stipend, free workspace, and free access to materials stored at New York's "Materials for the Arts" warehouse. (No word on whether they get a cut of future sales if they discover the next Carmen Herrera.)

The program is an expanded version of a pilot initiative called "Space for Art," which took place from 2009 to 2010. Twelve artists worked at nine different centers across New York. To prepare for the full-fledged program, organizers surveyed hundreds of centers to gauge the quality of their potential work spaces as well as their level of interest. They narrowed the list to 60 locations. Artists must apply to each borough individually and rank senior centers in order of preference based on the kind of facilities they offer.Depending on the quality and size of the facilities, certain centers may host multiple artists simultaneously.

Asked how the selection committee might regard a more avant-garde artist — this reporter couldn't help picturing Kalup Linzy standing in drag before a group of unamused seniors — Danai Pointer of the Department of Cultural Affairs told ARTINFO that committee members would keep an open mind. "Any artist of any discipline can apply," she said.

Applications are due on September 30. To apply, visit www.nyc.gov/culture.