Call for Applications

Applications for the 2022-2023 Artist-in-Residence Program are now open.

A year long residency at The Umbrella Arts Center in Concord, MA offering free studio space

The Umbrella Arts Center in Concord, MA is proud to continue its Artist-in-Residence program for the 2022-2023 season.  This season, The Umbrella Visual Arts and Arts and Environment Departments are amping up the calls to action on climate change through a series of exhibitions and programs.  We are seeking an Artist-in-Residence whose work also expresses urgency and invites participation around climate action.

The Umbrella's Artist-in-Residence program offers a year-long studio residency in a vibrant multidisciplinary art center with 50 artist studios, an independent ceramics classroom, makerspace, performance and gallery spaces in historic Concord, Massachusetts. Our Artists-in-Residence create new bodies of work for exhibition at the culmination of their residency and engage the greater Concord community in their practice throughout the year. Applicants may be in any stage of their career and may work in any medium including painting, sculpture, installation, photography, clay, textiles, digital media, film, mixed media, or public art.  Interdisciplinary artists welcome!  BIPOC and artists of all backgrounds and identities are encouraged to apply!

This year, the Umbrella is particularly interested in artists who are addressing climate change in their work, and who will:

• Use their residency as an opportunity to explore and experiment with ideas that speak to our times

• Foster internal and external interdisciplinary collaboration and partnerships

• Engage local and/or broader communities in providing inspiration, or participation in art experiences

• Provide opportunities and points of departure for panel discussions or experiential exchanges with colleagues doing related work.

Quick links to learn more about the program and our facility:

• About the program, including past Artists-in-Residence

• About The Umbrella

Residency Award

For the duration of the residency, the selected artist is offered:

• Free access to a recently renovated studio space of approximately 220 square feet with a large south facing window, beautiful hardwood floors and tall ceilings, and thermostat-controlled heat and air conditioning.

• Opportunity to be involved in the activities and culture of a multi-disciplinary art center, including access to an independent ceramics studio and makerspace.

• The opportunity to exhibit in The Umbrella’s main gallery, front lawn and/or alternate site in Concord for site-specific work

Residency Requirements

We are looking for artists interested in active engagement with our studio artist community, in Concord and beyond. As part of the residency program, an accepted Artist-in-Residence is expected to:

• Make regular, active, and productive use of the studio space for the residency period of September 1, 2022 - August 15, 2023.

• Present a body of work created during your residency for indoor and/or outdoor exhibition.

• Present a minimum of two public programs of any format with the goal of engaging the community in your work.

• Participate in The Umbrella’s Winter Market and Open Studios events.

• Make efforts to attend monthly Artist Meetings and other formal and informal artist events throughout the year.

• Actively document and share your residency experience via social media, blog posts, videos, photographs, etc.

• Maintain communication with Umbrella staff and participation in program evaluations.

• Teaching is not a requirement, but if it is of interest, please let us know in your application.

All applications will be reviewed by a jury of The Umbrella’s staff and resident artists. The selected artist will be notified by July 1, 2022.

How To Apply
Deadline for applications is Sunday, June 5, 2022.  

Submit your application by clicking here.

The application will require the following materials:

- Letter of interest in working at The Umbrella Arts Center. Include your interest in working in Concord if you do site-specific work.
- Artist Statement
- Artist Portfolio
- Artist resume or curriculum vitae with contact information
- List of three references
- High-resolution JPEGs of 10-20 pieces of work created within the past two years
- Image list with dimensions, medium, and date

For inquiries for our 2022-2023 residency, please reach out to The Umbrella via email with your questions or to set up a time to chat further. Thanks for your interest!