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Build Community | Create a Network | Develop Skills for Your Career
2025-27 Residency Applications are now open!
Artist Residency Application: https://forms.gle/yM6e3AwgA61X...
Curatorial Residency Application: https://forms.gle/mRihTYLWxQwF...
Benefits of Residency at Chicago Artists Coalition
Residency is 100% without cost to our artists and curators, outside of their initial $20 application fee.
The residency cohort is composed of 15 artists paired with five curators.
The residency culminates in on-site exhibitions of three (3) artists and one (1) curator. Artists and curators each receive a one-time stipend of $350. In addition there is a $225 supply budget and 18 hours of preparator time alloted to the installation of the exhibition. CAC promotes each exhibition through a landing page, social media promotion, print media, photographic documentation, and printed takeaways.
Six (6) residents receive free studio space on site for one year.
Residents are introduced to CAC alumni and industry professionals - curators, gallerists, arts administrators, professional artists - through critique nights, artists talks, career-building cafecitos/social activities, and studio visits.
CAC hosts professional development workshops for residents and alumni
Alumni are invited to join all events as well as social gatherings at no cost.
Meet other Chicago-based artists from different career stages. The CAC is a hub for artists, curators, and cultural workers to nurture ongoing, emerging, and established careers.
What does a year in residency look like with us?
Monthly 30-minute virtual check-ins with the residency cohort
Curated group exhibition at the conclusion of your residency
Bi-monthly career-building cafecitos/social activities
Bi-monthly exhibition opening receptions
Bi-monthly artists’ talks for corresponding exhibitions
Quarterly one-on-one professional development coaching sessions
2 social events: Resident mixer and Holiday party
2 alumni gatherings: Fall and Spring
2 open studio events
6 studio visit opportunities by industry professionals
Participation in larger Chicago art events, which may include Chicago Exhibition Weekend, West Town Art Walk, EXPO Chicago, The Other Art Fair
Year 1 - Building your community, developing your body of work and artistic practice
Year 2 - Group exhibitions, continued programming and networking opportunities*
*Residents are invited to also attend all events in Year 2 of their residency.
Who is a good candidate for residency?
Emerging and mid-career artists/curators with a strong body of work.
Individuals looking to build community with other artists/curators, who want to network with the larger Chicago art landscape, and who want to learn practical skills for a sustainable arts practice.
Artists who want their work to be shown in galleries, museums, and other cultural spaces
Curators looking to expand their practice by working with artists to develop an exhibition
Artists/curators looking for mentorship through collective learning, shared resources and insight from industry professionals.
Artists who are looking for a space to expand on their current practice
Artists/curators who are looking to build lifelong connections
Who is a good fit for an on-site studio?
Artists who need a dedicated space in which to create and be open to visitors
Artists who can spend a minimum of 15 hrs per week on-site
Artists who want to be in community with other artists
Artists who work in non-toxic media, without need of heavy ventilation or equipment such as kilns, torches, etc.
Artists who are open to having their work and/or works in progress viewed by the public who visit CAC
What does our selection process look like?
Curators are chosen independently of visual artist applicants
Staff reads all applications and narrows them down to 100 people
List of 100 applicants then goes to 2 or 3 panelists, who whittle it down to 30 people (based on strength of work and fit for residency)
- Final 30 candidates are given to curators, who will select their working pods
Curators choose top 6 artists
At that point, candidates will be interviewed and the studio selection process will begin
Residency is 100% without cost to our artists and curators, outside of their initial $20 application fee.
The BOLT and HATCH residency programs ran 2011-2024. In 2024, both residencies combined to be known as "CAC Residents" including past features of both BOLT and HATCH programs.
If you have any questions or concerns contact: fatima[@]chicagoartistscoalition[.org]