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]