Residency Programs

High Concept Labs has awarded artist residencies to more than 300 artists and artistic groups across genres and disciplines since 2009, providing an accessible residency environment of experimentation and discovery that supports artists to flourish.

In 2019 we expanded the flagship Artist in Residency (AIR) to year-long support which includes stipends, free studio hours, documentation, curation, grant writing, and marketing. 

The balance includes up to fifteen artist/collectives supported through the year-long residency: FAR, for returning Fellows, PAR, for partner-sponsored artists, and LabX, for international artists, leveraging resources for up to 20 artists/collectives annually. 

Artist in Residence Program

The AIR program is HCL’s flagship, 12-month residency that supports artists to create time-based work. Artists receive stipends, no-cost studio space, and documentation, along with tailored curatorial, development, and marketing support.

This residency is designed to meet artists where they are in their creative process: in research, development, workshop production, public presentation, post-premiere.  HCL supports artists advancing their work with multiple or singular areas of focus, ranging from choreography to music composition, from community-activated social practice to filming, from writing and rehearsal to meetings and teaching—as part of the process or as the project itself. 

Artists are selected through an annual open application process.

Residency Benefits

• $1000 stipend, provided in two installments

• No-cost access to shared studio (Typically 6-8 hours per week, based on needs and availability)

• Access to equipment loans

• Professional photography and videography of select studio sessions and public engagements

• Presenting opportunities through HCL’s Open Lab program

• Ongoing promotion and visibility through HCL’s marketing, outreach, and public relations efforts

• Strategic networking for partnerships, funding, and creative collaborators

• Field-based or cross-disciplinary mentorship

Additionally, based on the needs and interests of each Artist in Residency, HCL may be able to provide:

• Teaching and workshop opportunities

• Individual artist grants application assistance

• Administrative and producing assistance

• Marketing, communications, and design support

Fellow Artist In Residence Program

The Fellow Artists in Residence Program (FAR) invites artists to continue or return after a break since completing their AIR year to further their projects or deepen their practice. Fellows receive no-cost studio space and shared marketing resources, as well as tailored additional support based on the needs of the Fellow and alignment with HCL’s initiatives.

Partner Artist in Residence Program

Artists are curated in collaboration with our valued partners.

Residency Benefits

• No-cost access to shared studio (Typically 6-8 hours per week, based on needs and availability)

• Professional photography and videography of select studio sessions and public engagements

• Curatorial support

• Marketing, communications, and design support

LabX Residency Program

The LabX program promotes new work development through international exchange. The residency takes place annually, on a rolling basis, and the average length of stay in Chicago is twelve weeks, not including planning visits.

The LabX residency is curated. Artists supported characteristically are interested in making site-responsive interdisciplinary performance collaboratively, and that reflects a cross-section of creatives and people in other sectors, including with people based in Chicago, nation-wide and outside the U.S. 

HCL designs each residency with the invited artist/collective according to their interest and goals. The residency may be for research and development, or creation of a work for future production and touring. HCL provides free studio, curation, documentation, marketing, and opportunities to share in-progress versions and discussions about the work.

HCL partners with a range of organizations to promote the visiting artists’ immersion in the local arts community. HCL is active in many networks, including Consulates and National Performance Network, who leverage important support such as stipends, per diem, travel and lodging not included at this time in LabX residency.

Photo Credit: Kirstie Shanley, Hedwig Dance performance at HCL Open House (2018)