Why Apply?

Artistic practice takes time, curiosity, and room to develop. The OAC Artist Residency creates an opportunity for an artist to step more fully into their practice, with dedicated studio space and a creative community to support the process.

This residency is about more than having a place to make work. It is an invitation to explore new ideas, take creative risks, build relationships, and consider how art can contribute to a more connected, equitable, and environmentally conscious community.

Residents will have the freedom to follow their own creative direction while becoming part of the larger OAC community—sharing ideas with other artists, connecting with teens, and contributing to the intergenerational learning and collaboration at the heart of the OAC.

At its core, the residency offers time and space to make, explore, connect, and grow.

Program Overview

The OAC Artist Residency is a six-month pilot program providing a working artist with an 8' × 6' studio at no cost.

The residency is designed to support artists whose work engages with environmental justice, social justice, community, belonging, or other forms of positive social or ecological impact.

We are interested in artists who use their creative practice to ask questions, build connection, explore our relationship with the environment, share stories and experiences, or imagine more equitable and connected communities.

Artists maintain full creative autonomy. There is no required medium, style, or predetermined outcome.

The residency will conclude with an opportunity to share the artist's work or process with the OAC community through a group exhibition, open studio, artist talk, workshop, or other public presentation.

Equity & Access

The OAC is committed to building a creative community rooted in compassion, respect, collaboration, inclusivity, empowerment, and exploration.

We recognize that access to affordable studio space and creative opportunities is not equally available. This residency is intended to prioritize artists who experience financial or other barriers to developing their creative practice.

We especially encourage artists from communities that have been historically underrepresented or underserved in the arts, including:

• Artists experiencing financial barriers or limited income

• BIPOC artists 

• LGBTQ+ artists

• Disabled and neurodivergent artists

• Immigrant artists

Residency Terms

• Length: 6 months

• Dates: October 2026 – April 2027 (the exact start and end date will be finalized once we select the recipient)

• Studio: Dedicated 8' × 6' workspace

• Cost: No cost to the resident

• Access to OAC's creative community and member programming

• Opportunities to participate in OAC exhibitions, workshops, and events

• Opportunity to engage with OAC teens and the broader community

• Opportunity to publicly share work or process at the conclusion of the residency

Please note: The residency provides studio space only and does not include housing.

Resident Expectations

• Maintain an active creative practice throughout the residency

• Work toward a body of work, creative project, or meaningful exploration

• Care for their studio and respect shared spaces

• Follow OAC policies and community agreements

• Participate occasionally in OAC community activities

• Sit OAC gallery hours (exact hours are TBD)

• Offer at least one meaningful engagement with OAC teens, such as a workshop, demonstration, artist talk, mentorship opportunity, or studio visit

• Participate in a culminating exhibition, presentation, open studio, or other form of public sharing

• Complete a brief midpoint and final reflection about their experience

There is no required number of artworks or prescribed creative direction. We want artists to have the freedom to follow their own process.

Community & Teen Engagement

Intergenerational learning is an important part of OAC's mission. Residents will have an opportunity to share their creative practice with teens while also becoming part of the larger OAC community.

Engagement could take many forms, including a workshop, studio visit, demonstration, artist talk, collaborative project, or informal creative conversation.

The goal is not simply to teach, but to create opportunities for curiosity, exchange, and connection between generations.

OAC Support

OAC will provide:

• Six months of dedicated studio space at no cost

• Connection to a community of working artists and creative community members

• Opportunities to participate in OAC member programming

• Support in developing a meaningful teen or community engagement opportunity

• An opportunity to share work publicly at the conclusion of the residency

• Basic staff support throughout the residency

OAC does not direct the artist's creative practice. Residents retain full creative ownership and autonomy over their work.

Eligibility

Applicants must:

• Maintain an active artistic practice

• Live or work in Central Oregon

• Be able to commit to the full six-month residency

• Have an interest in environmental justice, social justice, community, belonging, or related areas of exploration

• Be interested in contributing to a collaborative creative community

• Be willing to engage with OAC teens and/or the broader community

An art degree is not required. Extensive exhibition history, residency experience, or professional credentials are not required. We value lived experience, curiosity, commitment, and a desire to grow.

Selection

Applications will be considered based on:

• Strength and thoughtfulness of the applicant's creative practice

• The ideas or direction they hope to explore during the residency

• Alignment with OAC's mission and values

• Potential benefit and impact of the residency

• Engagement with environmental justice, social justice, community, belonging, or related ideas

• Willingness to participate in and contribute to the OAC community

• Financial or other barriers to accessing dedicated studio space

We are not looking for a particular artistic style, medium, educational background, or level of professional experience. We are looking for an artist who will meaningfully benefit from the opportunity and contribute to the community around them.

Application Timeline

• September 14th: Application Opens

• October 1st: Application Closes

• October 5-9th: Artists notified

• October 12th-16th: Artists Move in

• April 12th: Residency Closes

There is no application fee.