You are invited to apply to the SPARC Place Residency at Oakview Studios summer pilot program. This pilot program is intended to support local artists to develop new, self-directed, creative works while providing arts engagement for the local community and to test out a format to build on for a potential future residency program. The purpose of the SPARC Place residency program is to provide Alachua county artists with focused time and space to develop artwork. Artists are not required to finish a specific work by the end of the program, but residents will be expected to participate in a final exhibition showcasing progress on their project. SPARC352 invites proposals from artists in most mediums such as visual arts, digital design and media, dance, music, writing and other forms.
Artists-in-residence will receive free workspace at the Oakview Community Center (810 NW 8th Ave, Gainesville, FL 32601), hosted in partnership with the City of Gainesville. SPARC352 staff will serve as the primary point of contact, providing project support, marketing and promotion. The residency will also offer a stipend of up to $700 for supplies. While in residency, we encourage the artists to focus on individual artistic research, exploration, and creation. Groups are not eligible to apply.
The residency will include an opening kick-off event on Fri, May 30, a closing group exhibition to showcase the artistic projects (date TBA), and participation in at least one of several virtual artist exchanges (dates TBA). SPARC352 may offer additional engagement activities to provide artists with opportunities for networking, professional development, artistic exchange and collaboration with other artists. SPARC352 will work with artists to document their creative development process and the impacts of the residency opportunity and resources on their work.
Timeline
The Summer Artist Residency program runs from May 30 - August, 31 2025.
The deadline for applications is May 7th.
Artist selection will be announced May 16th.
Eligibility and Selection:
We encourage applications from both established and emerging artists, with selections based on artistic merit and demonstrated potential. Artists who reside outside of Alachua County will be ineligible to apply. Applicants must be 18 and older. The residency is open to individuals only; groups are ineligible to apply.
Art projects must be compatible with available working studios, facilities, and resources and comply with policies and requirements of the City of Gainesville. The Artist must agree to follow guidelines set by SPARC352 and the City for using the Oakview facility (to be outlined in a Residency Agreement upon selection). SPARC352 will work with each artist to create a work schedule and to check in on project status on a regular basis.
Selected artists are not permitted to invite family members, friends or other artists who were not officially selected by the residency program to work in the facility.
Artists will be required to complete an evaluation at the end of the program.
Applications will be reviewed by a committee of SPARC and CAME partners. All application materials and files will be maintained confidentially.
THIS IS A PILOT PROGRAM AND ONLY A SMALL NUMBER OF ARTISTS WILL BE SELECTED. If this pilot goes well, opportunities for more artists will open up.