Wed-Thu: 11AM-5PM | Fri-Sat: by advance appointment
Wed-Thu: 11AM-5PM | Fri-Sat: by advance appointment
Chicago Artists Coalition's BOLT and HATCH residencies offer artists and curators unique opportunities to develop their practices, collaborate, and exchange ideas

The HATCH Artist and Curatorial Residency Applications are now closed. Candidates will be notified by April 1, 2024 for a July 1, 2024 residency start.

FYI: This year we have unified our applications for both artists' residencies - previously separated as BOLT and HATCH programs. In the past many candidates applied for both opportunities. This allows for a single submission per individual. For the Artist Residency application, click here. For the Curatorial Residency application, click here.

HATCH is a competitive artist and curatorial residency program, where residents work in tandem to create conceptual group exhibitions. It is a juried incubator for contemporary Chicago artists and curators that strives to support an ecology of curatorial and artistic practice. Applicants who apply have trained to make art or art administration their vocation. A pioneering initiative of the Chicago Artists Coalition (CAC), HATCH fosters shared experimentation, exchange, and creativity to produce ground-breaking exhibitions and programs.

Chicago Artists Coalition strongly encourages and welcomes emerging and established artists of color and/or LGBTQ+ to apply to the residency program. CAC believes that the arts are essential to leading a full and productive life and affirms its support for making the arts available to all people, including those with physical disabilities.

Reach out to contact[@]chicagoartistscoalition[.org] with accessibility inquiries.

As a commitment to equity, inclusivity and accessibility, in 2018 CAC eliminated program fees for HATCH Projects in an effort to reduce barriers to application and participation.

IMPORTANT DATES

Curatorial Residency
Application opens: November 1, 2023
Application closes: December 15, 2023
(11:59 pm)* via this form

Artist Residency
Application opens: November 1, 2023
Application closes: December 15, 2023 (11:59 pm)* via this form

HATCH CURATORIAL RESIDENTS

Please read the following information carefully as the guidelines and program model have significantly changed:

Three curatorial residents are accepted into the program, based on an application evaluated by a jury of three professional peers, the mentor curators, from Chicago’s leading cultural institutions, and CACs Executive Director. Curatorial residents are then responsible for evaluating artist applications with CAC staff.

In dialogue with curatorial residents and the Exhibitions & Residencies Manager, the Executive & Artistic Director will make the decision on the final selection of 12 artist residents. Each curatorial resident manages a group of four artists for the year to realize professional and experimental exhibitions and public programming. Curatorial residents are expected to organize two small group shows (2-person shows) independently, and one survey show (12-person show) as a curatorial collective. Curatorial residents must commit to the residency, from July 2024 - June 2026, and live in the city of Chicago for the duration of the program.

Curatorial residents receive professional development through feedback from and working with the mentor curators, as well as through conversations and critiques with an active peer-to-peer creative network. Through this unique, hands-on experience and mentorship program, curators develop valuable insight and experience in contemporary exhibition-making.

Curatorial Resident Responsibilities:

  • Jury prospective artist residents into the program alongside Exhibitions & Residencies Manager and Executive Director;
  • Participate in interviews with prospective artist residents, which are led by the Exhibitions & Residencies Manage and CAC staff;
  • Manage four artist residents during the residency, from; July 2024 - June 2026
  • Curate three innovative group exhibitions: two small group shows (2-person from July 2025-June 2026) and one large group show (12-person);
  • Create at least one public program per group exhibition;
  • Meet with mentor curators periodically to receive critical feedback on your exhibitions;
  • Collaborate with your colleagues (both artists and curators) to implement ways to build community (studio visits, critique groups, potluck dinners, reading group, etc.)
  • Invite at least two leading arts professional to conduct exhibition critiques with your four artists-in-residence (honoraria provided);
  • Promote HATCH exhibition openings and programming to your community and attend the events.

CAC and mentor curators will work closely with curatorial residents to provide:

  • Input on curatorial residents' research, development, and execution of exhibitions in a professional gallery context;
  • A professional and open environment to host visits with gallerists, curators, dealers, and collectors;
  • Marketing support, including: editing press releases, sending media alerts, and promoting events in CAC's newsletter, social media, and the Visualist.

SELECTION PROCESS: CURATORIAL RESIDENTS

Curatorial resident submissions are evaluated by a jury of three professional peers, the mentor curators, from Chicago’s leading cultural institutions, and CAC's Executive & Artistic Director.

HATCH Projects is targeted toward self-motivated curators who are able to work independently and display strong management and community building skills. Curators should have a vested interest in their personal development, as well as a commitment to the artists’ professional development at various levels in their careers. Curators who demonstrate an interest in contemporary art and a commitment to creating dynamic and innovative exhibitions with 1-3 year(s) of curatorial experience are encouraged to apply. Important: Curators must not be students at any point between July 2024-June 2026 and must live in the city of Chicago in order to have their application be considered.

CAC does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, color, sex, age, veteran status, or disability.

Curatorial residents each receive a $1000 stipend. They also each receive a $100 honorarium for each guest critic.

HOW TO APPLY TO BE A CURATORIAL RESIDENT:

  • Complete the online form
  • Submit 2 writing samples and 3-5 images
  • Include a current 1-2 page resume
  • List two professional references
  • Non-refundable $20 application fee which can be paid here

HATCH ARTIST RESIDENTS

Please read the following information carefully as the guidelines and program model have significantly changed:

Please read the following information carefully as the guidelines and program model have significantly changed:

Twelve artists are accepted into the program based on an application evaluated by the program’s three selected Curatorial Residents and CAC staff. Finalists will be interviewed by CAC staff and the Curatorial Residents.

Selected artists will participate in two exhibitions: one small group show (2-person) and one large group show (12-person). Each artist will be assigned to one curatorial resident; however, they will have the opportunity to work with all curatorial residents for the 12-person show.

Each artist receives professional development through dynamic exhibitions, one-on-one studio visits, public programs, and community building to develop a sustainable creative practice. Through this unique hands-on experience and professional development program, artists develop valuable insight and experience in contemporary exhibition making.

CAC and HATCH Curatorial Residents work closely with Artist Residents to:

  • Provide two innovative exhibition opportunities: (1) 2-person show (July 2025-June 2026), and (1) 12-person show
  • Provide two exhibition critiques by leading arts professionals
  • Facilitate and build an engaging and active arts community and professional development network
  • Provide the opportunity to develop, exhibit, and sell artist residents’ work in a professional gallery context
  • Encourage artist residents to activate the exhibition space through creative public programs and events
  • Provide the organizational infrastructure and professional environment to host visits with gallerists, curators, dealers, and collectors
  • Coordinate exhibition programming with BOLT Residency to maximize attendance at openings
  • Provide full marketing support to the press and arts community, including press releases and postcards
  • Gain exposure and expand audience through CAC’s public programming

SELECTION PROCESS: ARTIST RESIDENTS

Artist applications are evaluated by a jury of the three selected Curatorial Residents, CAC's Exhibitions & Residencies Manager, and the Executive Director.

HATCH is targeted toward self-motivated artists who are able to work successfully both independently and as active participants of a creative community. Artists should display a vested interest in their professional development and in building community. Artists who take risks in producing innovative, new and challenging work and can demonstrate a commitment to contemporary art are encouraged to apply.

Artists working in the disciplines of visual, performance, and sound arts are welcome to apply. Important: Artists must reside in Chicago during the residency period and are not matriculated students. Artist Residents must also commit to participating in the full-length, 24-month, program: July 2024 - June 2026.

CONTRACTS AND FEES:

  • Curators are required to pay a $50 lost key deposit upon entry into residency

HOW TO APPLY TO BE AN ARTIST RESIDENT:

  • Complete the online form
  • Submit 10 images of your work with a brief description
  • Include a current artist rĂ©sumĂ©
  • List two professional references
  • ​Pay the non-refundable, $20 application fee

IMPORTANT DATES FOR 2024-2026

November 1, 2023: Curatorial residency application opens
December 15, 2023 (11:59 pm)*: Curatorial residency application due
January: Curatorial Resident Candidates invited to be interviewed
February:
Curatorial Residents are notified

November 1, 2023: Artist residency application opens
December 15, 2023 (11:59 pm)*: Curatorial residency application due
February 2024: Artist Resident Candidates are invited to be interviewed
April 1, 2024: Artist Residents are notified.
July 1, 2024: HATCH Residency begins

See below for an outline of what 2024-25 will look like

Residency Program Calendar 2024-25

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Reach out to: contact[@]chicagoartistscoalition[.org]

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