Short Description

Built from the successful model established through the Artspace North Carolina Emerging Artist in Residence program, this year-long residency focuses on recent graduates from historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Upon graduation, students often lose resources, equipment, colleagues, and mentors. The HBCU Artist Residency seeks to remedy those issues by extending the learning process and broadening the experience for recent graduates to build their career as visual artist. The Artspace HBCU Artist Residency aims to highlight and support the many talented artists graduating from these culturally rich institutions. Every year, Artspace selects one emerging artist for this career-stimulus residency.

Eligibility

1. Artspace’s HBCU Artist Residency is available to promising artists committed to advancing their own work and professional careers.

2. Artists must have graduated from an HBCU within the last five years and must currently reside in NC. If there is an HBCU alumni artist that has graduated beyond the five year limit, we encourage that artist to look into our NC Emerging Artist Residency, which does not have a graduation limitation.

3. Artists working in most media will be considered, including experimental media; however, artists working with noxious materials, hazardous machinery, etc. will not be considered due to limitations within the building.

4. Artists must not be enrolled in an institutional artistic program of study, including instructional museum programs, during the residency period. (Applicants may be in school during the application process.)

5. Artists must be ready to enjoy working in an open studio setting where the public is able to interact with artists.

6. Artists must work in the studio a minimum of 25 hours per week and plan to attend quarterly Family Day events and at least 10 of 12 First Friday events during the year.

7. During the course of the residency the studio must serve as the resident’s primary work space.

Submission Requirements

  • Artist statement (no more than 250 words)
  • Resume (no more than 2 pages)
  • Statement of interest addressing the following questions (no more than 350 words):
    • How does this residency help you to achieve your professional goals
    • How do you plan to use your time at Artspace
    • What, if any, accommodations and/or tools will you need for success
    • Your anticipated studio work schedule
  • Portfolio:
    • 2D and 3D:
      • Upload 10 digital images of works completed within the past 3 years
      • Images must be in JPEG or PNG format
      • 5MB maximum per image
    • Video (if applicable):
      • Upload a minimum of 3 videos completed within the last 2 years
      • MPEG-4, AVI, or MOV file formats only
      • 5-minute maximum for each video (can be segments of longer works)
  • List of your image/video files in your portfolio. For each file, please provide:
    • Title
    • Media
    • Dimensions for two or three-dimensional work (height x width x depth)
    • Year Completed
  • Two letters of recommendation. Please ask the person recommending you to send their letters directly to Arts Administrator + Accessibility Coordinator April Hagins at ahagins@artspacenc.org.

How to Apply

Online Application

Program Benefits & Awards

  • 24-hour access to a rent-free studio space for one year. Residents will have a designated individual workspace in a shared 580-square-foot studio with two other residents. The studio has natural light and a shared sink. 
  • A $200 monthly stipend.
  • At least one formal networking opportunity during the residency.
  • Opportunities to interact with the public by participating in our city-wide monthly First Friday art walk, tours, and school field trips.
  • Opportunities for professional development and collaboration with peers including access to our community of 30+ professional artists, community conversations, artist talks, studio visits, and critiques.
  • Community engagements through intentional programming, including speaking and paid teaching opportunities.
  • Continued support through consultations with our knowledgeable staff, promotions on our social media channels and website, and a monthly e-news with calls for artists and other listings.
  • A professionally installed solo exhibition at Artspace within 12 months of the completion of the residency.
  • Residents are expected to give a presentation, artist talk and/or demonstration to the public to coincide with their residency or exhibition.

Entry Fee

$25 application fee

Location

NC, United States

Timeline

  • Application Deadline: 3 October 2025

Website Link: https://artspacenc.org/calls-for-artist-residencies/

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