STUDIOS PROGRAM

Root Division’s Studio Artist Program is a selective, one-year residency designed for ambitious emerging visual artists ready to advance their professional careers.

Dedicated to contemporary visual art, the program seeks individuals committed to a rigorous studio practice, eager to receive thoughtful critique, and enthusiastic about contributing to a collaborative peer community.

The program offers subsidized studio spaces in exchange for eight hours of monthly work-trade supporting the organization’s needs, artists’ interests, and required monthly artists’ meetings.

We ask candidates to have a strong portfolio that shows potential for growth and a resume of related professional and life experience that applies to supporting our various programming.

To be eligible, applicants must complete a studio tour within three months prior to applying, with applications reviewed on a rolling basis. If it has been more than three months since the tour, artists will be asked to reschedule.

Learn more and apply

HOW OUR ARTISTS ARE INVOLVED

TEACH LOCAL YOUTH
In our Youth Education Program

DESIGN & FACILITATE CLASSES
In our Adult Education Program

INSTALL & PRODUCE EXHIBITIONS
In our Exhibitions & Events Program

ASSIST IN ARTS ADMINISTRATION
Help with operations, marketing, & design

QUESTIONS?

To see our gallery and public facility, you are welcome to visit any of our upcoming events and/or during regularly scheduled gallery hours.

For more information regarding the Studios Program or to schedule a short informational tour of the available spaces, please email studios@rootdivision.org. These tours are scheduled Mondays-Fridays between 11 am-5 pm.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

As a Studio Artist, you will have access to Root Division’s peer and professional networks and opportunities; 24 hour access to your own or shared studio space at below market rates; access to our facilities including a woodshop. In addition, our Studio Artists can take any of our Adult Education and some professional development classes tuition-free. While our Studio Artists are not automatically included in our exhibitions, we waive the submission fees to any of our open calls, and we offer opportunities to exhibit in our Frank-Ratchye Project Space and other offsite venues. Throughout the year we invite current artists to participate in a few events, including our spring fundraising event, and our fall Art Auction, where artists can network with art collectors, patrons, and other artists.

Our studio spaces range from 85 – 230 square feet and can be shared or solo. The spaces vary to accommodate different working conditions–ranging from having a a lot of natural light to providing opportunities for light control. Some spaces will be fully enclosed for sound control, and others have about 10-12 foot tall walls (with 1 – 1.5 feet of space from the ceiling for ventilation).

The price ranges from $217 – $644 per month depending on the size of the studio and whether the space is shared with another Studio Artist.

Yes! Studio tours happen on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 2pm – 6pm. Email studios@rootdivision.org to schedule a tour of the space and any available studios.

Along with 24 hour access to the studio space, all current Studio Artists will have access to a mezzanine kitchenette and a woodshop with basic equipment and tools including a table saw, chop saw, band saw, drill press, and hand tools.

We accept applications on a rolling basis, with the 1st of each month acting as the deadline for the following month’s vacancies (i.e. April 1 deadline for May 1 availability)

Our ideal candidate should have an eagerness to learn and a passion for community engagement. We ask candidates to have a strong portfolio that shows potential for growth and a resume of related professional and life experience that applies to supporting our various programming. This includes any and all of the following: teaching adults and/or youth, art handling, installation, gallery admin, graphic design, video editing, event planning, bartending, and being comfortable in a woodshop.

Candidates apply through Slideroom, which will include a resume, artist statement, and artwork examples and references.

No, we only ask candidates to have relevant experience.

Our Artist Selection Committee reviews studio applications when a studio space is about to become available. If selected for an interview, you should be prepared to speak about what you are currently working on in your practice and what you would like to work on during your time at Root Division. The committee would also like to know why you would like to join the Root Division community and how you hope to contribute .

We do our best to accommodate studio preferences based on specific needs required by the artist’s practice. Once a studio space opens up, current artists have the option to switch studios, but must be in good standing and check in with the Studios Program Manager for availability.

We ask for a one-year commitment, with an evaluation at 10 months. If the artist is in good standing, Root Division will decide whether to offer a second and final year.