Room in the House Residency

With generous support from Cuyahoga Arts and Culture, Karamu House is offering 16 artist residencies in 2020 – eight (8) visual arts; eight (8) performing arts. Residencies will run April 2020 – December 2020. The goal of Room in the House is for artists to leave Karamu’s residency as more empowered, independent artists. To this end, Karamu will activate space (creative, administrative and showcase) and work with partners to provide professional development for artists looking to build their business.

Application for the fellowship is open to Cuyahoga County-based artists with demonstrated commitment to their visual arts or performance-based practice. Each selected Room in the House resident will receive a monetary stipend ($5,000) and access to space at Karamu House to create, work administratively, and exhibit/perform.

SUBMISSION DEADLINES 

Submissions received through FEB. 27, 2020 will ONLY be considered for APR. 6, 2020 start. 
Submissions received through APR. 16, 2020 will ONLY be considered for JUN. 15, 2020 start. 
Submissions received through JUN. 18, 2020 will ONLY be considered for AUG. 17, 2020 start. 
Submissions received through AUG. 20, 2020 will ONLY be considered for OCT. 26, 2020 start.

RESIDENCY HOURS

Artists will have access to Karamu House Monday – Friday, 9:30 AM – 8:45 PM and some Saturdays based on a predetermined schedule. Resident schedules to be confirmed during residency week one.

CONSIDERATIONS

All residents must have the ability to walk up/down stairs.
All residencies are for 8-weeks.

RESIDENCY DETAILS 

Visual Artists:

• Eight (8) visual artists will be served. Each will receive an eight-week residency at Karamu House that includes access to shared workspace and an opportunity to be included in a curated exhibition in Karamu's newly renovated art gallery.
• Each resident visual artist will receive $5,000 from which they will be asked to secure their own supplies. Fifty-percent of the funds will be distributed at the beginning and end of the residency.
• Resident artists will have the opportunity to teach a masterclass at Karamu during their residency. Karamu will support marketing yet cannot guarantee participants.
• Karamu will work to identify partners to provide artist professional development workshops such as tax preparation, business and financial plan development, grant/proposal writing, marketing/media/PR.

Performing Artists:

• Eight (8) performing artists will be served. Each will receive an eight-week residency at Karamu House that includes access to shared workspace and an opportunity to present work in a combined resident performance with basic technical support provided by Karamu House.
• Each resident performing artist will receive $5,000 to support their residency. Fifty-percent of the funds will be distributed at the beginning and end of the residency.
• For the performance, residents will receive front of house support and professional technical support from Karamu’s production team. Residents will have to cover costs for additional rentals and needs outside of basic technical.
• Resident artists will have the opportunity to teach a masterclass at Karamu during their residency. Karamu will support marketing yet cannot guarantee participants.
• Karamu will work to identify partners to provide artist professional development workshops such as tax preparation, business and financial plan development, grant/proposal writing, marketing/media/PR.

SELECTION PROCESS + CRITERIA

There are four deadlines for application submission aligned to each residency round: February 27, 2020, April 16, 2020, June 18, 2020 and August 20, 2020. A selection committee comprised of members of Karamu’s lead staff, board of directors, and community artist/stakeholders will comprise the selection panel and make the residency decisions. Only completed applications will be reviewed. The chosen resident artists will demonstrate artistic rigor, ability and intent, as well as align to Karamu’s vision of honoring the African-American experience through culturally and socially relevant work.

Applying artists should submit a completed application with all support materials to: AShareef@karamuhouse.org. Please include ROOM IN THE HOUSE RESIDENCY in the subject line to ensure that applications are received. If not selected, artists are invited to reapply. Artists are only eligible for one (1) residency during the 2020 calendar year.

APPLICATION MATERIALS 

Submission of the following in narrative form constitutes a complete application:

1. Artistic Statement
2. Artistic resume or CV
3. Answers to the following questions:
   • Demographics: Name, Address, Cell Phone Number, Email Address
   • How does your artistic philosophy align to Karamu’s vision (see above Selection Process + Criteria section)?
   • What is the goal of your residency (what do you propose to do with this time)?
   • What is your artistic medium?
   • Can your residency be successfully completed without the use of any special equipment?
   • Describe the space needs required for you to complete a successful residency?
   • Describe how the residency stipend will support the actualization of your artistic product.
4. Link to an example of your art.
5. Any additional information or supplementary material the selection panel should have to support your application?

Note: Completed applications must be received in Karamu House’s business office (2355 E. 89th Street, Cleveland, OH 44106) or via email at AShareef@karamuhouse.org by 5:30 PM on the deadline date. Applications received after this time will NOT be considered.