The successful applicant to the Artist in Residence program is an emerging or established artist or artistic group that is able to demonstrate artistic accomplishment and potential, and who has clear goals for their residency. Artists may apply with projects at any stage of development and work can be across any, or many, disciplines.

Applicants are encouraged to consider their self-directed goals and apply with as much detail as possible, along with notes on flexibility. Goals may range from furthering a conceptual investigation to forming new collaborations to increasing public visibility to working towards the premiere of a new work.  

The Artist in Residency program is juried by members of our Artistic Advisory Council. This panel includes experienced arts practitioners, critics, writers, and thinkers who work with HCL staff to guide the artistic direction of programs. The majority of this advisory group are alumni of HCL programs. 

Round One

Each application is assigned to be reviewed by a minimum of three jurors using the AIR application criteria listed below. Based on the panel’s review and scoring, a selection of the submissions will move forward to the panel discussion.

Panel Discussion

The goal of the discussion is for the panel to select 12 proposals forward to round two. HCL staff facilitates the panel discussion to help ensure that applications are reviewed thoroughly and consistently.

Round Two

All panels review and score the top 12 applications and select five to recommend to the Artistic Director. The Artistic Director then curates the residency with their advice.

Artist in Residence Application Criteria

Jurors reviews applications based on the following criteria:

The application establishes a strong need and high potential impact.

• The artist is at a moment in which access to a studio and supportive environment will be particularly meaningful to their practice.

• The resources available through this residency are essential for the completion of the project.

• Non-monetary resources, such as networking, documentation, and studio access, will be useful and generative for the artist and the project.

• The development of this project can provide long-term benefit for the artist, enable creative or professional growth, and/or lead to additional opportunities to present work or achieve career goals.
  

The application articulates clear processes and goals. 

• The proposal clearly conveys what the artist would like to explore and/or accomplish through the residency.

• The artist has a strong sense of how to begin their project with the support of the residency. 

• There is room for artists to learn, stretch, explore, and adapt across the year-long residency.

• The practicality of the project has been considered; There is evidence that the artist will be able to follow through on their plans.

The application demonstrates artistic accomplishment.

• The content of work samples and the proposal is original, interesting, well-researched, and cohesive.

• The proposal demonstrates the technical proficiency required to execute their project, or clearly articulates where the artist will need additional support, training, or resources.

• This project has the capacity to benefit and/or engage audiences and peers.

The proposal is well-suited for the HCL residency.

• The proposal is aligned with HCL’s values of equity, collaboration, and cultural diversity.

• The needs of the artist and the project are aligned with the resources that HCL can provide.

• The artist is invested in being in a community with fellow HCL residents.

• The artist and/or project will bring new perspectives to the organization and the audiences that HCL serves.

For each of the above criteria, the following 1-5 scale is used:

4: Fully meets this criteria
3: Mostly meets this criteria
2: Partially meets this criteria
1: Rarely meets this criteria
0: Does not meet this criteria