We are now accepting applications for the 2025 - 2026 academic year! Submit your application here.

Application Deadline: Tuesday, April 15, 11:59 p.m. EST
Residency Period: September 2025 - March 2026

The Stormwater Collaborative Residency will provide an opportunity for up to 4 undergraduate student artists, an art historian, an art educator, and a graphic designer to share a studio space for one academic year. Selected students will develop their practice in cooperation with each other over the course of the residency, culminating in a collaborative exhibition in March.

The art historian will act as curator and decide upon a theme in conversation with the selected artists. The art historian will also draft the wall text for the exhibition. An art educator will plan up to 3 public workshops in collaboration with the resident artists. The graphic designer will create promotional materials and exhibition signage.

This program emphasizes a strong collaborative element by placing artists and scholars in close proximity and supporting them in the development of a shared creative vision. It will cater to students seeking a meaningful opportunity to expand their practice, build their professional network, and gain valuable beyond the classroom experience.

Eligibility

All currently enrolled undergraduate SVAD students are eligible to apply. 

All media taught in SVAD are considered appropriate for the Stormwater Collaborative Residency Program: drawing, painting, ceramics, jewelry, photography, printmaking, bookmaking, graphic design and illustration, filmmaking, digital/new media, performance, and 3D/sculpture. Keep in mind that the qualities of the studio space may limit the kind of work that can be produced on-site. Selected resident(s) wishing to work in ceramics will need to use McMaster facilities for wheel throwing, sculpting, and firing; the studio does not have special ventilation to accommodate the use of toxic chemicals indoors.   

Support 

The selected students will receive a scholarship and supplies budget to fund their creative projects, exhibition, and related programming.   

How to Apply

Submit your application here!

The SCR committee comprised of SVAD faculty will select qualified candidates based on the following criteria: 

• Caliber of work
• Potential for personal/artistic growth 
• History of/interest in collaboration 
• Eagerness to creatively engage in the Stormwater artist community 
• Ability to maintain project commitments 

Expectations

 The selected students will be expected to:  

• Maintain camaraderie and a willingness to engage in positive critique 
• Meet with your faculty mentor to check in, assure positive experiences and progress toward meaningful outcomes 
• Maintain an open-door policy at the studio during Stormwater hours; be willing to meet with the public who come by and discuss your project in progress 

• Plan and host open studio nights and a reception for the exhibition in coordination with the SVAD Coordinator of Communications and Programs (Bailey Peterson) and Stormwater Faculty Liaison/SCR Chair (Kathleen Robbins) 

FAQs

Expand allWhen will the selected residents be announced?

The selected students will be announced by early May 2024. Notice of acceptance will be sent to students' USC email address.