Community Artist-in-Residence Program

 

The inaugural Urban Arts Space Community Artist-in-Residence, Arris' Cohen, conducting live painting during a fashion ball event

Urban Arts Space Community Artist-in-Residence

Deadline: January 6, 2025 at 11:59 PM ET
 

The 2025 Urban Arts Space (UAS) Community Artist-in-Residence Program supports community-centered arts and culture projects while recognizing outstanding local artists. This residency encourages artists to facilitate public art and collaborative experiences. Rather than offering studio space or housing, this community-based residency focuses on realizing the visions of artists for whom the community is their studio, such as painters who create public murals, dancers who teach classes in public spaces, writers who give readings in local bookshops, and beyond.

Applications are accepted from individual artists and artist collectives for projects in a wide variety of disciplines, including dance, film/video/media, folk arts, interdisciplinary arts, literary arts, multidisciplinary projects, music, opera, theater, visual arts/crafts, and others.

View the online archives for our previous Community Artists-in-Residence—Arris’ Cohen and Ajanaé Dawkins—to see their public programming, exhibitions, and interviews.

Submission Form

Join us for a virtual info session about the residency program on Tuesday, December 3 at 1:00 PM ET. RSVP for the Zoom here.

If you have additional questions or accessibility concerns, please email Director Merijn van der Heijden at vanderheijden.1@osu.edu.
 

Funding and Support:

  • Artist Stipend: $20,000 for the recipient’s personal artistic practice, with no restrictions or expectations on how this funding is spent.
  • Programming Budget: an additional $5,000 for community-focused arts programming—such as workshop supplies and payment for other artists and collaborators—which will be flexible depending on the artist’s proposed plan.
  • Additional Support: Urban Arts Space’s in-kind support will include the gallery venue, logistics, installation, marketing, catering, and staffing. UAS also has a small communal office space the resident is welcome to use.

Program Duration:

  • Residency Length: 9 months, with community programs conducted from March 1 to November 30, 2025.
  • Biweekly Meetings: Artists are required to attend in-person meetings every other week at UAS to plan community programs.

Eligibility:

  • Open to individual artists and artist collectives residing in Franklin County or adjacent counties.
  • Applicants must be at least 18 years old and not currently enrolled as full-time students in higher education.

Application Process:

  • Required Materials: Online application form, proof of residency, statement of intent, CV/resume, community programming budget, and five work samples.
  • Supporting Documents (optional): Press kits, letters of support from partners.
  • In-Person Interview: A shortlist of artists will be contacted for an in-person interview before the committee makes final selections.
  • Response Date: Applicants can expect to hear back by February 2025.

Program Expectations:

  • Artists must deliver at least five public community programs throughout the residency.
  • The residency includes a large-scale exhibition, performance, or similar project at UAS or related venues.
  • All programming must be open and accessible to the public, engaging with underserved communities.
  • This residency is not a staff position or form of employment. The purpose of these funds is to enable a local artist to continue their community-centered work.

Community Engagement:

  • Projects must be developed in collaboration with local community organizations and should serve diverse populations.
  • Applicants should demonstrate community support and interest, clearly articulating audience benefits and collaborative efforts.
  • Community programs may include—but are not limited to—exhibitions, workshop series, performances (all disciplines), festivals, screenings, readings, or multidisciplinary collaborations with another artist. 

Review Criteria: Applications will be evaluated by a committee of Columbus community members and leaders in Ohio State arts engagement, not UAS staff. They will score applicants in five categories:

  1. Artistic merit of proposed projects.
  2. Quality and clarity of application materials.
  3. Expected community benefit from the proposed activities.
  4. Distinctiveness from existing programming.
  5. Feasibility and clarity of executing plans.
     

Goals for the Resident Artist

1. Community Engagement

  • Deliver Five Community Programs: Plan and execute at least five public programs (e.g., workshops, performances, discussions) that engage diverse community members and encourage participation in the arts.
  • Collaborate with Local Organizations: Establish partnerships with at least two local community organizations to co-create programming, ensuring outreach to underserved populations.

2. Artistic Development

  • Create a New Body of Work: Develop and complete a new series of artworks or projects during the residency, integrating community feedback and involvement.
  • Document the Artistic Process: Maintain a detailed log of artistic development and community interactions, including sketches, notes, and participant feedback.

3. Exhibition or Event

  • Curate a Showcase: Plan and curate a large-scale event (exhibition, performance, or symposium) that reflects the resident's artistic exploration and community engagement, scheduled at UAS or a partnered venue.
  • Promote the Event: Work with UAS senior staff to implement a marketing strategy for the final showcase, aiming to attract at least 100 attendees from diverse backgrounds.

4. Professional Development

  • Participate in Biweekly Meetings: Attend biweekly planning meetings with UAS staff to refine programming and receive support on logistics and outreach.
  • Engage in Skill-Building Workshops: Attend or facilitate at least one professional development workshop related to arts education or community engagement during the residency.

5. Evaluation and Reflection (with UAS staff)

  • Conduct Post-Program Evaluations: After each community program, gather participant feedback through surveys or informal discussions to assess impact and areas for improvement.
  • Reflect on Residency Experience: Reflect on successes, challenges, and lessons learned, to share with UAS and future residents.

6. Sustainability and Legacy (with UAS staff)

  • Develop an Online Community Resource: Create a resource document (e.g., informational page, toolkit, guide) based on the residency experience that future artists can use to engage with the community effectively.
  • Nurture Ongoing Relationships: Establish a plan for maintaining connections with community partners beyond the residency, potentially leading to future collaborations.

This program is made possible with funds from The Ohio State University, with the support of Urban Arts Space and the Office of the Vice Provost for the Arts.