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

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]


Calendar Draft 2025-26