Organizer Information:

The Northern Clay Center (NCC) administers this residency, made possible by the generous support of the McKnight Foundation in Minneapolis. The program is designed to recognize and support mid-career ceramic artists who have already proven their abilities within the field.

Title & Description:

Applications will soon open for the McKnight Residency for Ceramic Artists.

This program provides mid-career artists with the opportunity to be in residence for three months at the Northern Clay Center during the 2027 calendar year. Residents will have the dedicated time and space to develop their work while exchanging ideas with Minnesota-based ceramic artists. The residency culminates in a public lecture, a featured catalogue, and a group exhibition at NCC that will travel to 3–5 sites around Minnesota and western Wisconsin.

Category:

Ceramics.

(Work may be functional or sculptural. Other materials may be incorporated, but the practice must be primarily ceramic).

Eligibility:

  • Who: Mid-career ceramic artists with a body of work demonstrating sustained accomplishment, commitment, and artistic excellence.
  • Geographic Restriction: Applicants cannot be residents of Minnesota.
  • Exclusions: You cannot be enrolled full-time in an academic program. You must not have received a McKnight Artist & Culture Bearer Fellowship in any discipline within the last five years.

Program Benefits & Awards:

  • Grant: A $6,000 USD award to cover expenses during the residency.
  • Workspace & Materials: Studio space provided at no cost, plus a glaze and firing stipend.
  • Additional Income: An extra honorarium is provided for presenting a public lecture.
  • Exposure: Inclusion in a traveling group exhibition and a printed catalogue.

Application Fee:

Free.

Application Requirements:

All written documents must be submitted as PDFs (with your name at the top of each page), and images must follow strict formatting guidelines (JPG/PNG, 1500px on the shortest side, 300 ppi, with specific file names that do not include your name on the image itself).

Materials required:

  1. Residency Proposal, Budget, and Outcome: (Max 3 pages). Detail your goals, a budget for supplies/equipment, and the anticipated impact on your career.
  2. Artist Statement: (Max 2 pages). Discuss your working process, professional development, and current goals.
  3. Resume: (Max 5 pages). Alternatively, this can be a list of 10 significant artistic experiences.
  4. Portfolio & Image List: Exactly 10 images of completed work with corresponding details (date, medium, dimensions).

How to Apply?

Submit your materials via the Northern Clay Center's online portal once it opens.

Key Dates:

  • Applications Open: March 13, 2026 (10:00 AM CST).
  • Application Deadline: May 15, 2026 (5:00 PM CST).
  • Residency Dates: A 3-month block during the 2027 calendar year.

Location:

Northern Clay Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.

Contact Information:

Email: anastasiaspeer@northernclaycenter.org