CALL FOR RESIDENT ARTIST (CERAMICS)
Artist Residency May 2021 - May 2022
APPLICATION DEADLINE THURSDAY APRIL 8, 2021
About Arts for Lawrence
Arts for Lawrence (AFL) is a nonprofit arts organization in Lawrence, an excluded city in Marion county’s northeast quadrant of Indianapolis. In partnership with the City of Lawrence, and funded by the Lilly Endowment Inc., AFL is creating the Fort Ben Cultural Campus, a vibrant arts destination with public programming in performing, visual and literary arts. The Fort Ben Cultural Campus will open in May 2021 and includes the historic Theater at the Fort, a Cultural Plaza with interactive artwork and amphitheater, and the former Fort Harrison Communications Building repurposed as the Visual Arts Center. Arts for Lawrence’s mission is to connect arts and community to inspire everyone every day. At AFL, we believe that all community members deserve to experience the arts. AFL breaks barriers of inequality to assure access for all.
About the Visual Arts Center
The Visual Arts Center is approximately 3,000 square feet over three levels with handicap access. The main level is a public art gallery. The upper level holds an art classroom and a resident artist studio. The basement level holds a ceramics studio with eight pottery wheels. The ceramics studio also includes a locking storage room with a kiln.
The Visual Arts Center’s operations plan anticipates leadership by a volunteer Visual Arts Committee and AFL staff. This committee will be under the umbrella of the Arts for Lawrence Board of Directors and is currently being established (see the corresponding Call for Visual Artists (all mediums) to form the Visual Arts Center Committee).
Residency Program
The Ceramic Artist Residency Program is a pilot program designed to support the work of a local ceramic artist. The program includes a one-year contract with an expected two-year residency. The Resident Ceramic Artist (RCA) will have full access to the ceramics studio and equipment rent- and utility-free. The RCA is expected to teach pottery classes with a 50/50 split revenue plan. The RCA is also expected to
host regular Gallery hours, approximately 15 hours per week (while working in the ceramics studio). The RCA is expected to be an active member of the Visual Arts Center Committee, charged with planning and overseeing the Visual Arts Center programs. The RCA will have opportunities to showcase and sell their art during AFL Festivals and Events.
Criteria for Submission
• Must be 21 years of age
• Must be a local resident (special consideration given to Lawrence Township residents)
• Must not discriminate for reasons of race, gender identification, disabilities, or religion.
• Must commit to the expectations of the Residency Program and Visual Arts Committee
• Must have experience operating all ceramics equipment
• Must have experience conducive to teaching beginning and intermediate ceramics classes
• Must be ready to start Residency Program Tuesday, May 4, 2021
Submission Process
Interested artists should submit the following documentation:
• Resume or CV
• Five photographs of recent work in clay
• A narrative (500 words or less) about why AFL should choose you as the Resident Ceramics Artist.
Consider how you might help AFL with its mission to connect arts and community and prioritize breaking barriers of inequality to allow everyone access to the arts. Due to construction, no tours of the facility will be available until after receipt of submissions.
Submit all documentation to info@artsforlawrence.org by 11 pm Thursday, April 8, 2021.
Selection Process & Notification
All Resident Ceramic Artist submissions will be considered by a jury made up of AFL staff, Board members, and invited artists. A scoring system will be used to evaluate the submissions on the following criteria:
• Experience in clay, ceramics processes, and equipment
• Artistic quality
• Personal dedication to the mission of Arts for Lawrence
Finalists will be given a tour of the facility and an in-person interview between April 12th and 20th. All artists who submit proposals will be notified of the jury decision no later than April 25, 2021.
Questions? Please contact us at info@artsforlawrence.org.
Please note, questions received after 6 pm Wednesday, April 7, 2021 may go unanswered.
