The 2023-2024 Application is now closed.
Applying for Residencies
About the Artist-in-Residence program
Lillstreet Art Center offers year-long residencies in the departments of Ceramics and Metalsmithing, and 9-Month residencies in Textiles, Drawing & Painting, and Printmaking & Book Arts beginning in September every year.
As a collaborative, community-based art center, the residency is a place for artists to expand their personal practice and gain some teaching experience while learning how to sustain a working artist’s lifestyle. The resident artist program enriches our community by bringing artists with unique and refined skills to our educational programming through classes, workshops, public demonstrations and studio hours.
As a resident artist, you will continue to develop professionally and intellectually through contact with other residents, department peers, and students. Lillstreet Art Center supplements the residency with resources and instruction in and outside the department of residency. Resident artists have the opportunity to work together, to take part in community events and sales and to be creative leaders in Chicago’s vibrant Ravenswood neighborhood while being immersed in the community.
Our AiR specific programming is built for facetime with artists, buyers, and vendors in the Ravenswood community; other opportunities include artist features in the gallery shop, professional development through dynamic exhibitions, one-on-one studio visits with peers and interdisciplinary artists, public programs, and community building to develop a sustainable creative practice.
Applications are reviewed by an external committee of artists, academics, curators, and non-profit professionals. The committee considers the following metrics when viewing applications: the artistic merit of submitted work, the alignment of the application with organizational mission and values, applicant’s desire to be an educator in our community, and applicant’s ability to work safely and independently in the studio. Artists of color and people with any marginalized identities are strongly encouraged to apply.
Sample application can be downloaded here
The application fee is USD 20.
If you need a fee waiver, please start filling out your application and email darshita@lillstreet.com with your name, pronouns, the email you are using to apply and a link to your work.
Allow 2 – 3 work days for review.
Residency Period
- Year Long: September 1st, 2023 – August 31st, 2024
- 9 Month: September 1st, 2023 – May 31st, 2024
- Applications open February 01, 2023
- Deadline: May 1st, 2023 at 11:59 pm
- Final decision announced June 1st, 2023.
Application Components
- Current CV/resume
- Artist portfolio
- A brief artist bio, written in the third person
- A narrative statement outlining how you’ll use your time in the studio
- Statement on teaching ability across age groups
Residency Includes:
- personal workspace in a group studio
- 24-hour access to facilities and equipment
- free classes in any of our six departments
- paid opportunities to teach and/or assist classes
- participation in a group exhibition in the gallery
- and a stipend of $400 every month.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply in multiple departments?
Yes, you may apply in more than one department, you only need to pay for one application fee, but we recommend you submit different applications for individual departments. Contact darshita@lillstreet.com if you are applying in more than one department.
I am a current Lillstreet Artist-in-Residence/alum. Can I return to the residency : in the same department or different after a period of time?
Lillstreet does not do repeat residencies. In order to apply to a different department, you will need to submit a new application in the respective department.
Can I receive feedback on my application?
Unfortunately, because Lillstreet is a small school with a limited staff, we are unable to provide feedback on individual applications.
If I wasn’t selected for the residency last year can I apply again?
Yes, you can.
What is the selection process, how many rounds of selection?
There are three rounds of selection. The first round is when the Directors do preliminary selection and pass them on to the department directors who do the second round of screening. The final round is an interview with the department director and an administrative director to finish the process.
Do I have to teach if I get selected as an Artist-in-Residence?
As an Artist-in-Residence, you will have the opportunity to develop classes, contribute to our curriculum and teach during your residency. Since the residency is strongly rooted in mentorship and educational models, teaching is a requirement.
Regardless of department or teaching background, the standard teaching pay rate for all Lillstreet resident artists is $24.00 per hour.
How often will I get my stipend?
Artists-in-Residence at Lillstreet will receive a $400 stipend per month to spend on materials or anything of your choosing.
I'm an interdisciplinary artist. Can I apply to the residency?
You can. But you will have to choose a department that feels like home for your work to work through. Unfortunately, at this time we do not have capacity to develop more programs than the ones we offer.
We encourage applicants to attend the Residency Info Session before applying. The info session is hosted virtually one month before application deadline. Still have questions? Please reach out to darshita@lillstreet.com for assistance.
