The Studio Artist program provides a focused work-exchange opportunity for emerging artists in ceramics, glass, foundry, and blacksmithing.

There are two studio artist sessions to choose from: Session 1: June & July and Session 2: August & September. The work exchange is 30 hours per week: 20 hours toward studio specific tasks and 10 hours toward general saw support like cleaning, meal preparation, or assisting with events. Studio specific tasks may include cleaning and organizing, assisting or leading workshops, public demonstrations, assisting artists, and creating work for SAWs auction. SAW general support may includes assisting in the kitchen and event support.

Artists receive an arthouse, meals, studio, one complimentary workshop, and *access to SAWs facilities: blacksmithing, ceramics, foundry, glass, metal fabrication, and wood shop. Artists are responsible for the cost of materials, personal supplies, and some shop fees.

The goal of the Studio Artist program is two fold: gain independence in their area of focus by assisting with workshops, artist projects, and maintaining the studio cleanliness and inventory, and the opportunity to work in a different area to expand their studio practice, collaborate with peers, and expand their capabilities. Artists have the option to give an artist presentation, exhibit their work, participate in studio critiques, assist or lead workshops, help with events, outreach, and group residencies.

Summary

For Who:

Emerging artist, current student or recent graduate of a BFA or MFA or 2-4 years of alternative training in their area of focus i.e. self-taught, apprenticeship, workshops or training via an arts organization, etc.

Applicants must be 21 years old by the start of the program.

All participants are required to have been vaccinated against COVID-19 and to provide proof prior to the start of the residency.

Media/Genre:
Blacksmithing, Ceramics, Foundry, and Glass Arts

When:
Session 1: Wed. June 15th - Sat. August 6th, 2022
Session 2: Mon. August 1st - Thur. September 15th, 2022

Benefits:
Studio Artists receive an arthouse, studio, meals, use of facilities, and one complimentary workshop.

Cost:
Studio Artists pay for their own supplies, materials, and consumables, travel to/from SAW, and 50% of workshop fees.

Fall Auction Donation Requirement:

Every artist at SAW must donate one piece of work to SAW’s annual Fall Auction. Items may be fine art, wearable, jewelry, functional, decorative, or raw material. The suggested value of donated items is between $50-$250.

Schedule:

Default schedule: Tuesday thru Saturday from 9 am–4 pm

Average of 25-30 hours per week: 20 hours toward shop and 5-10 hours toward helping SAW with food, cleaning, and events. Schedule varies from shop to shop and may include evenings and weekends. Some weeks may require more or less hours and artists must keep track of their hours to not exceed 25-30 per week over the duration.

Weekly artist and staff meeting, Wednesdays between 9 am-10:30 am.

Studio visits/critiques (2-4 total, approx. 20 minutes per session).

Daily chores 9 am-9:30 am.

5-10 hours split between assisting in the kitchen and helping with special events.

Artists are welcome to exhibit or present their work while in residence.

Positions Available:

Blacksmithing (Blacksmithing, Bladesmithing, Oxy-Acetylene, Mig, Tig Welding, Stick, Plasma Cutter)
Ceramics (Wheel Throwing, Hand Building, Wood-Firing)
Glass Arts (Glass Blowing, Casting, Slumping, Torch Working)
Foundry (Pattern Making, Mold Making, Iron, Bronze, Aluminum Casting)

Qualifications:

Required Experience

Maintains a clean and organized individual and communal workspace
Experience assisting with or teaching workshops for youth or adults
Active studio practice

Preferred Experience

Assisted an artist or student make work
Created curriculum and taught classes
Created sellable items or exhibited artwork in group or solo show
Equipment maintenance and/or repair

Responsibilities:

Day to Day:

Everyone at SAW is expected to help clean up and maintain both private and shared living and working spaces. Studio Artists will assist staff with the following chores.

Daily: Start of day and after meals help with dishes, clean kitchen, wipe down dining room. Take out trash, recycling and compost.

Weekly: Clean houses, sweep, mop, dust, and remove trash.

Studio Specific:

Teaching: Assist instructors with youth and adult workshops and demonstrations for school groups and tours.

Cleaning: Assist director with shop clean up and organization.

Supplies: Track Artists supply purchases, record on provided carbon copy and give to SAW office to collect payment.

Special Events: Ceramic artists will assist with preparation and running of SAW’s various wood-fired kilns. Blacksmithing artists will assist with creating product and assisting with artist special projects, Foundry artists will assist artists with mold making, sand mixing, and aluminum, bronze, and iron pours. Glass artists will assist director and visiting artist with mobile furnace events, production, and demonstrations.

Special Events:

Orient incoming artists to daily routines and where to find things. Help with music events, fundraiser, conference, and group exhibitions set up and break down.

Timeline and Fees
Monday, January 10th-March 7th, 2022: Application open call
January 10th-February 6th: Free to apply
February 7th-February 28th: $15 to apply
March 1st-7th: $25 to apply

Deadline to apply is March 7th at 12 AM (Midnight) EST
Deadline for letters of recommendation is March 8th at 12 AM (Midnight) EST

Artists will be notified by April 1st, 2022

Review Process
Residency applications are reviewed by a jury of guest artists and staff.

Residency offers are made based on an applicants proposal to create new work and explore new disciplines or utilize SAWs unique resources (i.e sculpture park, facilities, community) and the quality of the artist’s work to date.

Salem Art Works is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any person because of race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age or any other characteristic protected by law (referred to as “protected status”).

Required Information
Select which session or sessions you are available. Only one will be assigned.

Select a position you with to apply for.

Describe your work experience within the department ( Assisting Artists and/or Collaborating, Equipment Maintenance and/or Repair Experience, Production Design and/or Creation Experience and Teaching or Teaching Assistance Experience)

Upload the following documents:

Artist Statement

Statement of Intent

Describe your goals for the residency and how you plan to use your time here. What kind of support do you anticipate needing? Which of the spaces and facilities do you anticipate using? In what ways will SAW allow you to accomplish your residency goals?

Resume or CV

20 Work samples

Accepted file types: .pdf, .doc, .docx, .odt, .jpg, .tif, .gif, M4A, MP4, MOV, M4V

Title Sheet and Image Captions

Image Number, Title, Materials, Dimensions, and Year created.
(Optional) Include an image caption describing the work.
Accepted file types: .pdf, .doc, .docx, .odt

Upon Acceptance: participants are required to have been vaccinated against COVID-19 and to provide proof prior to the start of the residency.

Changes or Late applications
Once you submit your application, you will not be able to make any changes.

SAW will not accept late applications and encourage artists who miss the deadline to check out our weekend workshops and our self-funded Independent Artist Residencies.