artists-in-residence program
The Worcester Center for Crafts’ Artists in Residence Program is a way to “sustain craft” and insure the next generation of artists carrying on craft traditions. Open to aspiring artists in clay, glass, and metals (and those who might work across more than one medium), the Worcester Center for Crafts’ Artists in Residence Program is designed to support the growth of pre-professional artists. Residents are chosen through a competitive process and are with the Center for 1 to 2 years.
Application and Important Dates
Artists in Residence terms generally begin in September and go through 10 active months, culminating with a group exhibit in the Krikorian Gallery. Applications are accepted beginning in January of the year that a resident hopes to start. The application deadline is April or until the available spots are filled, whichever comes first.
The application package includes a resume, slides of your work, an application form and references. Please use the official application.
Artist in Residence Application Form
Artist in Residence Reference Form
HOW WE SUPPORT RESIDENTS
During the residency, the Worcester Center for Crafts supports our artists by:
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Providing each resident artist a studio space with 24-hour access and storage for materials, supplies, and work
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Giving advice and support with regularly scheduled critiques and peer reviews to assist in honing studio practice
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Scheduling a gallery show in the Center’s Krikorian Gallery, planned and shared with other residents in late spring/summer
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Providing a discount for glass residents on Hot Shop rental rates and free access for glass residents to Cold and Flat Shop (schedule permitting)
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Securing membership in ArtsWorcester for residents to encourage them to be active in the larger regional arts community
HOW RESIDENTS GIVE BACK
As an artist in residence, you will become part of the Worcester Center for Crafts faculty and staff. While continuing your focused pursuit of your creative work, you also have opportunities to teach (on average, 1 class per week), mentor students, provide studio support, and actively participate in the diverse studio communities that make up the Worcester Center for Crafts. Each studio area has the option, on an as-needed basis, to select a resident technician who, in lieu of teaching, oversees technical management of that studio area’s facility.
WHY WORCESTER?
Worcester, as the second largest city in New England, offers a diverse and unique artistic community. Galleries and gift shops offer some opportunities for sales and exhibitions around the city and in the region. The Worcester Arts Council, ArtsWorcester, and other foundations offer opportunities for artists seeking funding for projects within the city.
And at the Worcester Center for Crafts, artists in residence join an artistic community that just happens to be attached to great facilities in ceramics, metals, and glass. Here, you can delve into your area of specialization or experiment using more than one medium. You can use the shared studio photography area and document your work. You can be inspired by shows in the Krikorian Gallery, work in the renown Gallery Store, and work done by Worcester State University Visual and Performing Arts students in printmaking, drawing, painting, design, sculpture, and animation/music composition classes. The artistic vibe is alive!
The Worcester region's arts offerings range from arts festivals to artist collaboratives, live theater to opera, and concerts that span the musical spectrum—and more. Worcester’s 10 colleges and universities provide a host of lectures, films, performances, and creative interchanges throughout the year that are open to the public. Other dynamic cultural organizations in the area include:
Often referred to as the “Heart of the Commonwealth” because of its local in the center of Massachusetts, Worcester also offers easy access to Boston (1 hour), Providence, R.I. (45 minutes), Hartford, Conn. (1½ hours), Portland, Maine (3 hours), western Massachusetts locations (1-2 hours), New York City (3 hours), and the mountains of New Hampshire and Vermont.
SUPPORTING THE ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAM
You can help the Worcester Center for Crafts in its support of Artists in Residence by:
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Providing free or below-market-rate housing for a resident (1-2 years)
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Volunteering to help with their exhibition and opening reception
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Giving to the Worcester Center for Crafts to help underwrite the costs of the program
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Endowing the program and insuring that students of limited means can afford to apply for a residency
To discuss support, please contact Executive Director Elaine McKenna-Yeaw at emckennayeaw@worcester.edu