We are now accepting applications for the 2026-2027 Academic Year! Submit your application here.

Application Deadline:  Wednesday, MAY 8, 2026, 11:59 p.m. EST
Residency Period: September 2026 – March 2027

The Stormwater Collaborative Residency will provide an opportunity for up to 4 undergraduate student artists, one art historian, one art educator, and one 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, meeting notetaker, and facilitate the conversations among partnering artists to help decide upon a theme for an exhibition happening in March. The art historian will also draft the wall text for the exhibition. The art educator will plan one public workshop 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.  Students should expect to be able to produce a minimum of 4-6 pieces over the course of the time they have at the residency.

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/strong interest in collaboration 
• Demonstrates a willingness to meet monthly and actively participate in ongoing communication as needed
• 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 Graduate Student Services Coordinator (Diana Lorenzi)  and Stormwater Faculty Liaison/SCR Chair (Addison Graham). 

FAQs

Expand allWhen will the selected residents be announced?

The selected students will be announced by early May, 2026. Notice of acceptance will be sent to students' USC email address.