Troy University’s Department of Art and Design is currently searching for an artist-in-residence. This artist would live in Troy full-time, completely paid for by the university.
The search for a new artist-in-residence is co-directed by Sara Dismukes and Will Jacks, two professors in the art department. This comes shortly after the recent passing of Fred “Nall” Hollis, a former artist-in-residence for the university. His works are featured primarily in the International Arts Center.
“Like Nall, there are many people within Alabama and the wider rural south who are deeply engaged in creative and artistic work,” Dismukes said. “Our goal with this residency is to help create meaningful professional opportunities that prioritize these artists and benefit our community by creating access to those artists.”
The resident artist will receive a $2,500 stipend, a $1,000 materials budget, housing in a private apartment, studio space, access to the department’s utilities, student fellowships and exhibition opportunities. They will stay in Troy for a month-long residency during the spring semester of 2025.
The student fellowship program will allow two students to work with the artist in residence, gaining experience.
“I think that's probably one of the best opportunities any kind of learning or otherwise ‘amateur’ artist could experience,” said Walker Duncan, a junior graphic design major from Hayden, Alabama. “As a writer, I imagine it's in the same line as being given writing advice by Stephen King, or Brandon Sanderson or George R. R. Martin.”
The residency is funded by Alabama State Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts. Additionally, the department of art and design will match the support by providing facility and studio space.
“There are lots of great things happening with the people and the departments housed in Malone Hall,” said Dismukes. “This residency program will add to that richness.”
The artist-in-residence will also host recruitment opportunities for the department of art and design.
“The Troy Artist Residency is a unique opportunity within Alabama, so it raises the profile of our department within the state, especially related to the visual arts,” Dismukes said. “We expect that being able to host and deeply engage with a range of Alabama-based artists through this residency program will create opportunities for our students and the community as a whole.”
For many students and professors in the art department, the search for an artist-in-residence is a welcome idea.
The deadline to apply for the artist-in-residence position is Oct. 31, 2024. Applicants will hear back from the university by Nov. 18.
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