Background:
Are you an artist/maker? Do you want to share your skills and artistic vision with the Baltimore County community? Baltimore County Public Library (BCPL) is committed to providing programs and services that enrich customers’ lives, that celebrate creativity and innovation, and that encourage people of all ages to explore, learn, create, and connect. The Artist/Maker-in-Residence program brings new creative experiences to Baltimore County residents, provides visibility for local artists and makers, celebrates the make/create movement, and features resources and venues provided by BCPL. The art-centered Hive at Hereford, the technology-centered CoLab at Randallstown, and other BCPL residency venues, are each unique spaces for creative expression and collaboration, and are free and open to everyone.
Application Process:
Admission to the artist-in-residence program is by application only (see below). A jury of library administration, staff, and subject matter experts makes a selection of finalists, who are then invited for an in-person interview for the residency program. The jury selects artists-in-residence on a semi-annual basis. Previous BCPL artists-in-residence are welcome to apply for an additional residency, but preference will be given to first-time artists. There must be at least a two-year gap between residencies for any returning artists-in-residence.
The next deadline for applications is Friday, March 17th.
The jury will meet and inform all applicants of their application status by the end of April. Residencies will be awarded for May 2017 through December 2017. We receive a large number of applications and regret that we cannot offer every applicant an Artist in Residence position.
If you have specific questions about the application process, please email Abigail Cooley, Branch Manager at [email protected].
Residency Requirements:
Residency terms run from one to three months in duration. As a part of the residency, artists must spend at least two days per week making/creating in their assigned space. Each space is open during library hours for the public to learn, create, and interact with the artist. Some secure storage is also available. In consultation with the host branch, each artist in residence is expected to plan and present at least two interactive sessions, workshops, public programs, or other forms of community engagement during each month of the residency. These can be for a specific age groups or open for all.
Financial Support:
BCPL provides a monthly stipend during the residency period. Our current stipend is $800 per month, dependent on available funding, with some additional resources available for supply costs. We are unable to reimburse travel costs or to provide housing for visiting artists
