Accelerator Residency

The Accelerator Residency at The Arts Center is an investment in your professional career! The residency offers dedicated lessons & lectures, and collaborative support. Accelerator residents are selected for professional and personal growth potential, as well as an ability and willingness to contribute to a thriving creative community.

Applications For 2024 Residency are OPEN! Due Nov. 19, 2023

An Informational Video Is Below!

How Does The Residency Work?

The Accelerator Residency runs for 12 weeks annually from January to March. Applicants are selected by a jury of artists and arts administrators based on their application and work samples.

This residency is designed to be an intensive program that pushes emerging creatives to improve their business planning and professional skills. Together, the accepted Residents, complete lectures, coursework, and consult with the experienced program director to plan and build the framework for their creative business.

How is this residency different from others?

An artist residency is often described as a set length of time for artists to work on a project, try new media, or research ideas. Frequently, they are in a new environment and in partnership with local organizations/communities. Residency programs can charge for the program while others may not cost anything or may require the artist to teach, lecture, or work in exchange. Others are able to provide room and board or a stipend to the artist. Each residency is valuable in its own way.

Our program differs from some residencies, but many of the main qualities remain. The Accelerator keeps the traditions of providing a new environment, resources, and a period of time to work on a project. In this case, the project is often starting a creative business. The environment is a supportive community and peer cohort and the resources provided are many but notably include personalized coaching and lessons related to business/professional development.

What is Included? How Much Does This Cost?

The Program Includes:

Attendance at 6+ lectures with accompanied coursework
3+ Dedicated 1:1 coaching sessions with the program director
4 Group discussions and work sessions with fellow residents and program director
3+ Opportunities to engage with the public via Corvallis Art Walk (CAW) or other events.
Personal Studio Space
3 Artist Meetup Critiques

Residents ‘Graduate’ with a …

Drafted Business Model that is tailored to their work & strengths
Professional Level Artist Statement and Artist Bio
Collaborative Group Exhibition*
Pricing Model & Comprehensive CV
Strengthen Regional Connections

A yellow circle with an upward arrow and a dollar sign inside it. Below the icon are the words Market Price. Below the circle and icons the text reads $2,400.

The Arts Center and Artist Accelerator Program work to subsidize artist costs through grants and individual donations. There are partial scholarships available to those who need one.

Who Should Apply?

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We seek enthusiastic and committed artists, creatives, and makers who are ready to dive into planning or pivoting their creative business using the following media: Painting, Ceramics*, and other media including 2D & 3D work, Writing, Dance, or Installation. Creative business is a broad term and can include plans for gallery/exhibition, wholesale, teaching, online sales, and many others.

We encourage a diverse selection of artists to apply! Creatives, artists, and makers from historically excluded communities like creatives from rural communities, emerging artists, BIPOC communities, LGBTQIA+ communities, and self-taught makers.

We welcome applicants regardless of citizenship status, color, familial status, gender identity or expression, religious observance, sex, sexual orientation, and sources or levels of income.

How Do I Apply?

1. Applications open in the fall before winter residency. For example, it opens in Fall 2023 for residency Jan. – Mar. 2024.
2. Review the FAQ section and attend/watch the info session. Contact Claire Elam with other questions.
3. Submit the application before midnight on the deadline.
4. Send Claire Elam 3-5 excellent work samples following the directions on the application.
5. Pat yourself on the back for an application well done!

Artist Jess Felix works on a clay bust with her subject in the background.

Artist Accelerator Programming

Community & Events
Workshops
Lectures +

Learn More

Past Residents

Hear from the artists themselves about their work and experience as an Accelerator Resident!