McColl Center for Art + Innovation is an acclaimed artist residency and contemporary art space located in Charlotte, North Carolina. The program invites artists from all over the world to engage with the local community and experiment within the context of Charlotte. The residency provides access to exceptional facilities and opportunities to take risks in artistic processes. Artists are encouraged to explore new ideas in collaboration with the public and through exhibitions and public programs. This center hosts three residency terms per year: Fall (August-November), Winter/Spring (January-May), Summer (June-August)
Information & Application Details:
• Applications Open: January 13, 2025
• Submission Deadline: April 14, 2025
• Residency Dates: January 6 – April 13, 2026
• The review process takes up to 14 weeks from the application deadline. All notifications to applicants are sent via email.
• Application fee: Free
* However, international artists may not qualify for a stipend but could be eligible for reimbursement of qualified expenses such as airfare, ground transportation, supplies, and meals.
Eligibility:
• Open to artists worldwide, with no restriction on medium or artistic discipline.
• Collaborators and collectives must submit a single application and work samples made by the group, not individual members. Housing will be shared.
• International artists may not qualify for a stipend but are eligible for reimbursements (e.g., airfare, ground transportation, supplies, meals).
• Families: Partners and children of artists-in-residence may stay in the provided condominium, but partners cannot use McColl Center workspaces or facilities.
• Animals/Pets: Only registered service animals allowed.
Theme:
The residency welcomes artists working in drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, film, video, new media, design, and interdisciplinary practices. Artists are invited to engage with Charlotte’s local context and public.
How to Apply:
• Application is made through SlideRoom, where artists must submit all required materials.
• Applications must be submitted before the specified deadline.
Submission Requirements:
• Work Samples: A critical part of the application; follow the specified file formats and size restrictions. (Images, videos, audio, documents, or linked media).
1. 2D/3D works (no more than 5 samples, submitted in the correct order)
2. Media Arts: 5 minutes of video
3. Interdisciplinary/Public Practice: Combination of image, text, audio, video (5 samples total, max 5 minutes for audio/video, 10-page PDF).
4. Acceptable file types:
Images: .jpg
Videos: .m4v, .mov, .mp4, .wmv, .flv, .asf, .mpeg, .mpg, .mkv
Audio: .mp3, .wma, .ogg, .flac
Documents: .pdf
Linked Media: Vimeo, YouTube, SoundCloud, Sketchfab
Note: Linked media must be public. Only link to individual files, not to a playlist, set, or collection.
• References: At least two references (uploaded as PDF/text files).
• Background Check: Artists-in-residence in partnership with Atrium Health must consent to a background check and provide medical records (including immunizations).
Selection Process:
• The selection panel includes curators, alumni artists, national artists, and arts leaders.
• Criteria for selection:
1. Artistic rigor: Creativity, innovation, skill.
2. Conceptual depth: Clear communication of ideas and creative depth.
3. Ongoing professional practice: History of exhibitions, presentations, and commitment to contemporary art-making.
4. Suitability for McColl Center: Artists should be ready to engage and benefit from the residency, contributing to the local community.
5. Diversity: The panel will consider diversity in medium, race, ethnicity, geography, gender, and age.
• Finalists will be invited for a short interview, and selected artists will be notified.
Program Benefits:
• Residency facilities: 30,000 sq. ft. including studios, a woodshop, ceramics/sculpture studio, printmaking lab, 3D lab, and media lab.
• 24-hour access to all facilities.
• Public Engagement: Artists must participate in at least one public program (talks, workshops, etc.) during their residency.
• Living accommodations: A condominium for the artist and their family (partners and children can stay, but partners cannot access the workspaces).
Contact & Resources:
• Website: https://mccollcenter.org/
• Email: info@mccollcenter.org
• Phone: 704-332-5535
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mccollcenter
Website link:
https://mccollcenter.org/programs/residency