About

SOS ART, in collaboration with the Fitton Center for Creative Arts in Hamilton, OH, is offering an Artist in Residence (AR) Program targeted primarily to Greater Cincinnati* artists, both established and emergent.

*Greater Cincinnati defined as within a 50 mile radius of downtown Cincinnati. Exceptions to include non-local artists are possible as decided and agreed upon by the AR committee.

In tune with the mission of SOS ART, the focus of the residency will be on any given theme of Peace and Justice, involving, whenever possible, the local community. 

Examples topics include but are not limited to: Hunger, Poverty/Homelessness, Race, Gender, Ecology, Human rights, Non violence, Refugees and Immigration, Non discrimination, Disability (physical, mental and otherwise), etc.

SOS ART is a nonprofit 501c3 organization whose mission is to encourage, promote and provide opportunities and venues for the Arts as dynamic vehicles for Peace and Justice and for a Better World. Learn more at sosartcincinnati.com

The Fitton Center for Creative Arts is an Ohio-based non-profit community arts organization that celebrates and supports the full spectrum of humanity through equal opportunities in visual and performing arts. It has served the Hamilton and Butler County communities for almost 30 years. It connects people, energizes the local economy, shares a sense of place, and provides a variety of cultural opportunities. Learn more at fittoncenter.org

• Duration - The residency will be three months (length may be customized to a given artist's circumstances and/or needs as decided and agreed upon by the AR committee.)
  
  
• Time Commitment -
  • During the three month period, the artist is expected to spend a minimum of 15 hours per week developing their residency project.
  • Selected artists are required to attend a preliminary meeting with the AR committee to review and agree upon residency terms and a meeting midway through the residency with the AR committee to go over progress of work and address any issues.
  • Selected artists are also expected to lead one public workshop, assist with installation/set-up for their event, and attend their public event.
    
    
• Residency Cycle - Quarterly as follows:
  January - March, April - June, July - September, October - December.
  
  Other cycles can be scheduled and accommodated as decided and agreed upon by the AR committee.
  
  
• Deadlines for applications - Approximately 8 weeks prior to the start of the residency, i.e. November 1, February 1, May 1, and August 1 for the respective cycles. An AR selection committee will select one artist per cycle from the applications received.
  
  
  • The selected artist will be notified approximately 6 weeks before the start of the cycle, i.e. November 15, February 15, May 15, and August 15 for the respective cycles; and invited to commit to participate.
  • Conditions of the residency and all logistical details will be discussed with the selected artist at least 4 weeks before the start of the residency, i.e. before December 1, March 1, June 1, and September 1 for the respective cycles.
    
    
• Physical location - Typically the artist's own studio/workspace. If necessary, the artist may also use the Fitton Center for Creative Arts' facility by arrangement with their leadership.
  
  
• Honorarium - The artist in residence will be offered an appreciative honorarium of $1,000 to cover expenses and other incidentals associated with the residency. $300 will be given at the beginning of the residency and the rest in one or more payments at later date(s) as agreed on with the artist(s).

Residency Outcomes

Artists in Residence will complete all of the following: 1.) Develop an original creative work (or body of work) 2.) Lead an Educational Workshop 3.) Plan a Public Event and 4.) Provide the agreed upon exit materials.

Information on each outcome's requirements below:

1. Original Creative Work (one of the following as agreed upon with the AiR Committee):
   • Series of artworks
   • Performance piece (such as a choreographed dance, play, or concert)
   • Publication (such as a graphic novel or book of poems)
   • Short film (minimum 30 minutes)
     
     
2. Educational Workshop
   
   • Artist will conduct a free 2-3 hour workshop related to the social justice theme and medium they are exploring in their residency.
   • The workshop will be held at some point during the duration of the residency.
   • The workshop may be held at the Fitton Center, or another location provided it is free for community members to attend.
   • The artist may choose the target age group for their workshop (please note that to offer a workshop for ages 18 and under the artist must have prior teaching experience and complete a background check scheduled by the Fitton Center.)
   • At the conclusion of the workshop the artist will have students write a short artist statement to be collected along with works created.
   • Works created by workshop participants along with their artist statements will be exhibited, in whichever appropriate format, as part of the final public event.
     
     
3. Public Event
   
   • The residency will culminate in a public event presenting the artist's work. Depending on the work created, this event may take the format of an art exhibition, live performance, reading, or screening.
   • The event may take place at the Fitton Center (schedule-permitting) or another location of the artist’s choosing, provided it is free and open to the public.
   • The Public Event must include artist statements to accompany the artist's work and the work of the workshop participants.
   • The Public Event must also include an educational component that explains the work and research conducted during the residency. Depending on the work created this may take the format of informational posters/signage that accompanies an exhibition, an informational booklet or program that accompanies a live event, etc.
     
     
4. Exit Materials
   
   • Depending on the format most appropriate to the work completed, the artist will provide a written review/reflection, recorded gallery talk, or other document (as agreed upon with the AIR Committee) detailing the work completed during the residency and reflecting upon the experience.

1. Curriculum Vitae
   
   
2. Artist Statement

   
   
   

3. Letters of Reference - One to two letters from individuals familiar with the artist in a personal and professional capacity, and whom SOS ART may contact should additional information be needed.

   Letters should speak to the applicant's professional and artistic background, merit and reliability, and personal attributes.

   If providing only one letter, each topic should be addressed by the letter's author. If providing two letters, the applicant may request each author cover different topics (provided all topics are addressed between the two letters.)
   
   
4. Portfolio - At least 5 images of past work or link to website/artist portfolio of work.
   
   
5. Proposed Residency Budget - The artist in residence will be offered an appreciative honorarium of $1,000 to cover expenses and other incidentals associated with the residency. Please include a rough estimate of expenses you anticipate. This may include art supplies or other creative materials, framing and/or printing costs, rentals or services (e.g. equipment, editing fees, etc.)
   
   
6. Proposed Residency Timeline - During the three month period, the artist is expected to spend a minimum of 15 hours per week developing their residency project. This timeline should break down how the artist will structure their time during the course of the three months, including time spent creating the original creative work, planning and facilitating the workshop, and planning and preparing for the public event.

Proposed Outcomes

1.) Original Creative Work

2.) Educational Workshop

Each artist in residence will conduct a free 2-3 hour workshop related to the social justice theme and medium they are exploring in their residency.

3.) Public Event

The residency will culminate in a public event presenting the artist's work.

Please email sosartcincinnati@gmail.com should you need clarification or additional information.

Thank YOU for considering applying to the SOS ART Artist in Residence Program!