Your community-based residencies will be in-depth collaborations between an artist and a nonprofit. You will work together to generate the idea and complete a project.

Each residency will be unique and may include an exhibit, programs, or performances. The projects you develop for your nonprofit organization may aim to:

• stimulate community dialogue
• create life-long learning opportunities for the public
• offer free or low-cost creative activities to the nonprofit’s clients or to the public
• integrate the design work of artists into public spaces

The stipend-based residencies have mutual benefits for the artist and for the nonprofit – providing time and space for artists, and involving residents and/or visitors to each nonprofit in a variety of art forms. The length of a residency can vary, but ideally, the time will be two to four weeks. 

The responsibilities of artists include but are not limited to, self-scheduled meetings with organizations, participation in a series of technical assistance workshops provided by The Alliance, conducting research to identify a project for the residency, and showcasing their work with the nonprofit organization. 

Securing your Residency:

PLEASE FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS BELOW CAREFULLY.

Step One: Do some research on the nonprofit you will be working with. What is the organization’s mission? Who do they serve? What is their primary objective in the community? Look at their website and learn about what they do. Compile this information so you are prepared for later steps.

Step Two: Email a single PDF file to info@wichitafallsarts.org and your Alliance Project Manager which includes: 

• Letter of interest indicating a strong rationale and willingness to work with the nonprofit and Alliance staff to develop a successful residency. The letter should be addressed to Ann Arnold-Ogden.
• Professional resume which includes your Artist Statement.  
• Up to four images that provide an indication of your work and artistic discipline. You should have a well-documented history of your work. DO NOT submit poorly documented work samples. Submit your strongest work.
• Submit two references from people who can speak to your artistic practice. The nonprofit you ultimately work with will be interested in hearing from two references about your seriousness as an artist, your dedication to creative practice, and your ability to encourage participation in the arts and creativity. 

Step Three: After submitting your packet to The Alliance, contact the nonprofit representative provided by The Alliance to set up a meeting. Use this time to discuss how you might support their mission through art. Meetings can be held in person, over the phone, or via Zoom. This will help you build the community residency in a way that strengthens or supports the organization and showcases your skills. 

Step Four: *This is optional – but highly recommended. Set up a consultation with Rolanda Brigham via email prior to developing a project proposal by emailing rolanda@ettarts.org. The goal of this one-hour advisory consultation will be to shape the residency proposal.

Step Five: Develop a project proposal and budget to submit to The Alliance. Artists will work with Alliance staff to finalize the scope of services. Your proposal should demonstrate that you have thought through how you might design an artist residency. It is possible that once in residence you will explore other ideas. You should consider these things in your proposal: location, length of the project, size of class/group, residency length, access to facilities/equipment, materials, needs of the nonprofit host, and opportunities for community engagement. The budget for this program should not exceed $1,500.00.

While the Alliance will work with you the finalize the proposal, ultimately the nonprofit organization will give the approval to begin.

March 9, 5:30 p.m.
Guest Speaker: Rolanda Brigham

Rolanda Brigham a native Texan has worked extensively with arts education for the last 30 years in Chicago and Dallas. She is a retired actress who has performed in national commercials, voice overs, industrials, regional theatre as well as on Broadway.

Rolanda Brigham is a professional teaching artist who has been teaching arts integration and empowering students for over 35 years in Chicago and the DFW area. She currently serves as the Project Administrator of DeSoto Artist Labs for the City of DeSoto, TX.

Pre-Work:

1. Read: What is Community Anyway?
   
2. Watch: Bringing Art and Communities
   
3. Return your Letter of Agreement to aogden@wichitafallsarts.org.

Homework:

1. Make an appointment with Ann
   
2. Fill out the interest assessment form