An Overview
The purpose of artist residencies is to provide students with repeated opportunities to learn about and experience the making of art. In all residencies, the emphasis is on the artistic process as opposed to a final product or culminating event. Residencies are partnerships between the Arts Council, the sponsoring school, district or organization and the selected artist(s). Residencies can focus on any of the following disciplines: visual arts, media arts, traditional/folk arts/folklife, performing arts (including dance, music and theatre), and literary arts. Some may also be multidisciplinary in nature and involve more than one artist in a collaborative project.
Residencies focus on a core group of identified students to enable hands-on opportunities for creativity. Additionally, professional development is recommended in each residency to increase the teacher's personal and professional comfort level with integrating the arts into the daily curriculum and ensure longer-term benefits of the residency. An artist residency is not to be considered as a substitute for an ongoing arts education program, nor does it attempt to take the place of a certified arts teacher.
Teacher Initiated Program (TIP) grants are short residencies of 1 to 4 weeks that are started by the teacher and involve the artist in the application process. The artist must be selected from the Roster of Artists for 3 & 4 week TIPs, but roster status is not a requirement for 1 & 2 week TIPs. Many schools like to try a 1 week TIP grant as an introduction and trial run for more involved, longer residencies.
Planning for a Residency
This is the time to begin planning for a strong application and a successful residency. At this point, sponsors gather their team, and with their artist, determine goals, identify resources, and make general plans for implementation, evaluation, and follow-through. The application has specific performance expectations that must be addressed in the application narrative.
These performance expectations are weighted and explained on the application, which can also be accessed at artscouncil.ky.gov following the guidelines/instructions. If these questions are carefully considered by a committed coordinating or planning team before application, the probability of being awarded a grant is significantly increased.
Once the application has been submitted, sponsors will receive notice of receipt and be notified of panel review date, time and location. Panels consist of arts professionals, educators and other individuals with relevant experience. Applicants are not required to be present at the review process, but it is very helpful in understanding the process and the program goals of the Arts Council. Panelists may have occasion to ask applicants questions and ask for points of clarification, so applicant presence can further the success of an application.
The panel's recommendations are then forwarded to the Kentucky arts Council's governing board for final decisions. Applicants will not receive notification of award until after the December board meeting.