Blau-Gold Studio/ Teaching Fellowship

Application Deadline: Wednesday, May 1, 2024

Root Division is currently seeking applicants for the 2024-25 Blau-Gold Studio Teaching Fellowship (BGSTF). The application process includes submitting a completed Fellowship Application Form and required materials. Finalists must be available between June 3-13, 2024 for interviews.

DIGITAL APPLICATION FORM

ABOUT THE BLAU-GOLD STUDIO TEACHING FELLOWSHIP*

In its eleventh year, the fellowship provides free studio workspace to a teaching artist in exchange for being an integral part of Root Division’s Studios Program. In large part, the commitment involves teaching two afternoon classes per week at one of our Youth Education partner program sites. Working as a teaching artist in residence for the full school year, the BGSTF plans a curriculum and develops a series of accessible, relevant, and fun projects for the students at a local school site.

In exchange for an average of 16 hours per month of service with a focus on teaching in our Youth Education Program, the artist will receive:

  • Free studio workspace for 12 months in our Studios Program facility located at 1131 Mission Street, SF. (Value of ~$6,000; 24-hour access workspace including all utilities/WiFi). 
  • Artist/ Teaching Stipend of $4,000 (Portions paid quarterly based on project milestones)
  • Studios Program opportunities including:
    • Access to a network of peers and resources for creative and professional development
    • Exhibiting in Root Division’s galleries/ project space
    • Option to participate in Root Division’s DEI Advisory Committee of Board, Staff, and Studio Artists

QUALIFICATIONS

Strong BGSTF candidates…

  • Demonstrate quality and commitment in their art-making and studio practice
  • Have a minimum of one year of experience teaching or facilitating projects with groups. A strong teaching portfolio includes culturally responsive curriculum/ lessons.
  • Have a passion for working with and supporting under-resourced and/or marginalized groups.
  • Show enthusiasm for working individually and collaboratively to serve the community.

ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS:

  • Have reliable transportation to and plan to make regular use of a studio at our location in SOMA, San Francisco, CA
  • Many of our programs serve English Language Learners, so communication skills in Spanish and/or Tagalog are useful.

COMMITMENT

Awarded BGSTF will be asked to commit to an average of 16 volunteer hours per month to the organization from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, with the potential to continue the fellowship for a second year. This includes:

  • Time making artwork in the studio
  • A minimum of 2 weekday afternoons per week to teach from Sept 2024 through May 2025
  • Helping produce and attending the New Growth student showcase on May 10, 2025
  • Monthly All Artist Meetings (one Wednesday evening per month: July 2024-June 2025)
  • Attending & supporting two fundraising events: Art Auction (Oct 2024) & Spring event (Apr 2025)

SUBMISSION INFORMATION

Application Materials

Please complete the Digital Application Form, attaching the below documents:

  1.  Cover Letter (PDF 1 page max): Please introduce yourself. Tell us why you are interested in this fellowship and the Root Division community. What do you hope to gain and how do you hope to contribute?
  2. Artist resume and/or Professional resume. (PDF 1-2 page max)
  3. Examples of your artwork (up to 10 images), with a corresponding image info. (Ideally the images and info are compiled and attached into a single PDF at 10MB max.)
  4. Artist Statement about your artwork (as seen in images submitted).
  5. Examples of student work (6-8 images and/or video documentation) from 2-3 successful projects in which you worked with children or youth. (Ideally the images and info are compiled and attached into a single PDF at 10MB max.)
  6. Two example lesson plans for art projects, indicating the appropriate target grade level(s), between K-5. A strong teaching portfolio includes culturally responsive curriculum/ lessons. (See our lesson plan examples here.)

The application process includes submitting completed Fellowship Application Form and required materials. Finalists must be available between June 3-13, 2024 for interviewing with Root Division’s Artist Selection Committee.

OPPORTUNITIES TO CONNECT & LEARN MORE

We encourage fellowship applicants to learn more about Root Division…

ABOUT ROOT DIVISION:

Root Division is a visual arts non-profit that provides discounted and free studio space to emerging visual artists in exchange for volunteer service in the community. Our mission is to empower artists, inspire youth, foster community service, and enrich the Bay Area through engagement in the visual arts. At Root Division, we are committed to creating and supporting an inclusive, accessible organization that intentionally brings together diverse groups of artists and audiences. We condemn and do not tolerate racist, ableist, homophobic, transphobic, misogynistic, sexist, or xenophobic attitudes, structures, or behaviors. 

*The Blau-Gold Studio/ Teaching Fellowship (BGSTF) was initiated by a gift from the estate of the late Lonny Darwin, a supporter of education and the arts. The Fellowship, named for Ms. Darwin’s late mother, Emmy Blau- Gold, is designed to support an emerging artist for one year by providing free studio space and a monetary stipend.

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