Community Artist-in-Residence Program

Urban Arts Space Community Artist-in-Residence

Urban Arts Space (UAS) offers funding and opportunities to support community-centered arts and culture projects and to recognize outstanding local artists. 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.

The 2023 Urban Arts Space Community Artist-in-Residence Program funds up to two programs annually for professional artists. Residencies generally take place over the course of 4–5 months, and artists meet weekly with UAS staff to plan three or more free public programs ranging from art-making workshops to writing, dance, and theater production. The residency will then culminate in an exhibition, performance, symposium, workshop, festival, or other large-scale show at Urban Arts Space, Hopkins Hall Gallery, or UAS Online, created/curated by the artist and staged with the assistance of UAS staff.

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. Successful candidates have a strong interest in teaching and working with underserved communities and possess a passion for arts education. Applicants must be a resident of Franklin County or adjacent counties.

Program Offerings

• $10,000 artist stipend to facilitate the artist’s personal practice
• An additional $2,500 in funding earmarked for free arts-related public programming
• Support from the five full-time staff members, plus fifteen paid student interns, for community progamming, marketing, installation, logistics, scheduling, and supplies
• Urban Arts Space and/or Hopkins Hall Gallery as venues for events and culminating show
• Networking connections to community partners, other artists, Ohio State faculty and staff, and professional opportunities
• Potential access to Ohio State art-making facilities on a limited basis
• Artists are also welcome to spend time in the Urban Arts Space communal office, but it is a small, open space

Program Expectations

• The artist will attend weekly in-person meetings for one or two hours at Urban Arts Space at 50 W Town Street in downtown Columbus, which will be used to plan the community programs and exhibition/symposium/event detailed below
• With the help of UAS staff, the artist will deliver at least three community programs across the duration of the residency (e.g., workshops, performances, live painting, panel discussions)
• The artist will create and curate a culminating show at Urban Arts Space, Hopkins Hall Gallery, or UAS Online, which can take the form of an exhibition, film screening, writing symposium, or any other event that showcases their work

Community Programming

The $2,500 community programming funding supports the artist’s facilitation of local arts projects, programs, and activities that enable Columbus communities to experience and engage with the performing, literary, media, and visual arts. Projects and programs may include—but are not limited to—exhibitions, workshop series, performances (all disciplines), festivals, screenings, readings, and multidisciplinary collaborations with another artist. All activities will be community based and/or open to the public. This programming will be built in collaboration with Columbus-based community organizations at sites throughout the city, teaching and bringing arts-focused opportunities to a wide range of populations and underserved communities.

For purposes of this grant, “community” can be defined as geographic area; cultural, social, racial, or socioeconomic demographic; and/or artistic community. “Community support and interest” and “audience benefit” can be demonstrated by the applicant’s ability to define the audience and clearly articulate how the audience will benefit from the proposed activity; community partnerships/collaborations; production/exhibition history; and/or audience/collaborator numbers and demographics.

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.

Guidelines

Application Deadline: October 1, 2023, at 11:59 PM (January–June 2024 residency)

Timeline: Residency-funded community projects and programs must take place between March 1­–June 30, 2024, and be open and accessible to the public.

Applicants are not eligible if…

• They are not residents of Franklin County (or adjacent counties, including Delaware, Fairfield, Licking, Madison, Pickaway, or Union County)
• They are under the age of 18, or a full-time student in a higher education program
• They work or have a studio space in Columbus but live outside of the aforementioned counties

Application Materials

All applicants must fill out a complete online form, accessible through www.uas.osu.edu.

Applicants must upload the following to be considered for funding:

• Proof of applicant’s central Ohio residency (e.g., driver’s license, utility bill)
• Statement of intent (500 words max addressing the applicant’s current artistic practice, the skills and resources they would bring to the residency, and how their work could potentially relate to community programming)
• CV or resume that details art experience and community commitment
• Community programming budget (e.g., supplies, framing materials, printing costs, technology, refreshments, transportation fees, payment for another artist)
• Five work samples or examples of public programming involvement that represent work from the last five years (e.g., digital images, pictures of printed images and illustrations, videos, .mp3s, manuscripts, literary magazines, events participated in or classes taught)

Supporting Documents

Applicants are also strongly encouraged to upload any of the following that are applicable:

• Press kit or set of publicity materials from past projects/programs (e.g., recent press release; brochures/postcards/identity pieces; clear photo documentation of previous work; quotes from past reviews or testimonials)
• A letter of support or commitment from the project/program partner for artists planning to partner with a specific organization

Review Criteria

Urban Arts Space is committed to funding a diverse array of activities throughout Columbus. The emphasis of the Urban Arts Space Artist-in-Residence for Community Arts Program is on individual artists and artist collectives with an ability to articulate how their work uniquely contributes to the cultural life of the city. Urban Arts Space staff members select artists in residence according to the following criteria:

• Artistic merit of the proposed community projects/programs
• Overall quality and clarity of application narrative and budget
• Demonstrated audience and community benefit to be derived from the projects/programs
• Non-duplication of similar existing programming, geographic area, and/or community served
• Clearly defined ability to successfully complete the community projects/programs