Illinois State University Horticulture Center seeks Student Artist In Residence

The ISU Horticulture Center invites proposals for Artist-in-Residence projects to produce an outdoor work of art, an installation, or a sculpture for public viewing at the Horticulture Center’s annual Autumnal Festival in September. Proposals should reflect the artist’s personal style combined with the Center’s 2024 theme, Awestruck: The Wonder of Nature. This program honors the spirit of former student, Grant Walsh, and his passion for nature and art; successful proposals will do the same.

Expectations:

• The selected artist will produce a mutually agreed upon work of art, installation, or sculpture that will be placed in the gardens at the Horticulture Center. The artwork should preferably be temporary in nature, lasting the entire fall or longer, but could be ephemeral, lasting as little as one weekend. The artwork will be unveiled on Friday, September 13th.

• The artwork should relate to the Center’s 2024 theme for the year, Awestruck: The Wonder of Nature.

• The selected artist is required to participate in at least one public program, either onsite or offsite, during their residency and be present for the unveiling of the artwork on September 13th and either the 14th or the 15th for the Autumnal Festival.

Award

The selected artist will receive a $1,500 honorarium. Half of the Honorarium will be paid upon the start date in May, and the second half will be paid upon completion in September. Funding for reasonable materials, presentation, and display expenses will be provided up to $750. The Horticulture Center will order all supplies.

Application Deadline

Friday, April 12, 2024

Eligibility:

• Applicant should be a currently enrolled undergraduate or graduate student in good academic standing at Illinois State University. 
• Students in all disciplines at ISU are encouraged to apply.
• Eligibility is dependent on completion of a satisfactory criminal background check.
• Former artists-in-residence are not eligible to apply.

Proposal Requirements

Applicants will need to submit several documents (see below) along with their application. Ensure that you have these documents ready to attach before opening the GWSARP Application Form.

Personal Information & Data

Please fill out the form with contact information, year in school & major, GPA, and resumé.

Project Statement/Proposal

Maximum of 2 pages. This should include a description of the project, a plan for how the project will be carried out, how the work upholds Grant’s memory, and how the work incorporates the Horticulture Center’s 2024 theme.

Budget

Please estimate material costs including shipping, vendor links to purchase or purchase instructions, unit prices, and quantities. Please include justifications for purchasing any items.

Production Schedule

Provide a work timeline to ensure the work will be ready for public presentation by the Autumnal Festival weekend, September 13-15th, 2024.

Work samples

Provide a portfolio of past work with 5-10 images. Up to two images may be substituted with video or audio hyperlinks of up to two minutes in length each (20 MB maximum). Alternatively, Large files can be sent to horticulture@IllinoisState.edu via SendTo.

A Faculty Sponsor letter

Provide a letter from a faculty sponsor confirming they have reviewed and support the proposed project. Please include contact information. The jury will follow up with finalist faculty sponsors.

Support:

• Staff at the Horticulture Center are available to provide guidance and horticultural expertise for Artist in Residence projects. 
• Studio access is available on a case-by-case basis at the Visiting Artist Studio in the Center for Visual Arts.
• Other Sources of Support may include:

   

  • WKSAD Student Funds
  • Office of Sustainability

Selection Criteria & Process

All proposals submitted will be reviewd by a committee consisiting of Fine Arts professors, Horticulture Cener staff, and a family or friend of Grant Walsh who will evaluate and score Artist-in-Residence grant applications.

Notification

Applicants will be notified of their application status in late April or as soon as possible, depending on the availabity of the reviewing committee.