The Spudnik Press Cooperative Studio Fellowship is an intensive eight-month program that provides emerging artists opportunities to develop the artistic and professional skills needed to build a successful career in the arts. Key program components work in conjunction to provide mentorship, technical training, meaningful interactions with art professionals, public programming experience, and leadership opportunities. These key program components consist of the following:

• Access to professional printmaking facilities
• Weekly seminars addressing various elements of professional practices
• Leadership experience through regularly monitoring Open Studio sessions.
• Presentation opportunities through culminating public projects.

Furthermore, as ambassadors of Spudnik Press Cooperative, Fellows play an important role in ensuring our members and studio users have a welcoming experience at our shop and also help us grow our community. The contributions Fellows make to our day-to-day operations are invaluable and help shape the future of our facilities.

COVID-19 Modifications

Everyone’s safety is important to us. Participation in this program requires being onsite at Spudnik Press Cooperative and that per our Covid-19 Policy, all artists accepted into the program will be required to provide staff with proof of vaccination. Where possible, we will make reasonable accommodations for artists with a medical or religious exemption. The fellowship program will follow our COVID-19 Policies & Procedures, and will have both in-person and virtual elements:

Virtual (via Zoom):

• Public speaking experience: “Crossing Of the Fellows” artist talks
• Weekly Professional Development seminar sessions

In person:

• Studio Access Trainings
• 24 hour access to all facilities
• Open Studio monitoring responsibilities
• Critiques

TBD:

• Additional Assistance Opportunities: With some programs suspended, there are limited opportunities to gain additional assistance in areas such as youth programming and teaching. While opportunities will be made available whenever possible, this portion of the Fellowship will be optional at this point in time.
• Public Programming: Designed and presented by fellows towards the end of the fellowship period.

Eligibility

The Studio Fellowship program best supports:

• Emerging artists, and artists at transitional points in their career.
• Artists with substantial printmaking experience, such that they are able to perform all monitoring duties.
• Artists whose current art practice requires access to printmaking facilities.
• Artists who already have a dedicated and regular studio practice.
• Artists who are able to commit about 8 hours a week to the fellowship program in addition to maintaining their art practice.
• Artists whose goal is to produce art a primary component of their career.
• Artists seeking opportunities to meet Chicago-based arts professionals.
• Artists interested in building meaningful connections with a creative community.

Please review our Fellowship Information Packet to learn more about:

• Program Overview & Components
• Fellowship Timeline
• Open Studio Monitoring
• Professional Development Seminar
• Additional Assistant Opportunities

To Apply:

Please thoroughly review the Fellowship Information Packet. Complete the Online Fellowship Application Form no later than Sunday, November 21, 2021. You will need to have the following ready to submit:

• Letter of interest addressing the following:
  • Why is now a good time for your career and development as an artist to be part of this program?
  • What goals would you like to accomplish through the fellowship? How do you plan to achieve them?
  • How do you see the Fellowship and the resources at Spudnik contributing to your project?
  • What is your training in printmaking processes and previous exposure to print facilities?
  • What will you bring to the program?
• Project Statement: Outline and expound upon the project you are hoping to work on during the course of this Fellowship. 300 words max.
• Resume or CV
• Bio: 100 words max.
• 7-10 Images
• Confirmation that we will receive a letter of recommendation sent to grace@spudnikpress.org by the application deadline. Please email grace@spudnikpress.org at least 7 days prior to the deadline if you have any concerns about obtaining a letter of recommendation to discuss an alternative.

Important Dates

Deadline to Apply: Sunday, November 28, 2021
Fellowship Period: January 1, 2022 – August 31, 2022
Required Weekly Commitments:

• Professional Development Seminars:  Most Wednesdays from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
• Individual Monitor Shifts: One of the following 4.25-hour per shift per week:
  • Mondays 5:45 – 10:00 p.m.
  • Thursdays 5:45 – 10:00 p.m.
  • Saturdays 9:45 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
  • Saturdays 1:45 – 6:00 p.m.

Any inquiries regarding our Studio Fellowship can be directed to Grace Makuch, grace@spudnikpress.org.

$20 for Spudnik Press Members
Register Online

As part of our mission to unite our community of artists with art professionals throughout Chicago, we offer portfolio reviews throughout the year. Each artist that signs up for a portfolio review will receive a 30-minute, private review with a curator, educator, gallery director, or arts administrator.

This is a unique opportunity for artists to receive feedback on a current body of work or upcoming project, as well as suggestions on how to prepare for other professional opportunities. Participating artists should bring a portfolio of current work to share with the guest reviewer.

Guest Reviewer: Ciera McKissick

Ciera Alyse McKissick is an independent writer, curator, cultural producer, and the founder of AMFM, an organization whose mission is to promote emerging artists. She is also the coordinator of Public Programs at the Hyde Park Art Center, and Communications Associate at Ox-Bow School of Art. She created AMFM, originally a web magazine, as an independent study project in 2009 at the University of Wisconsin-Madison where she studied Journalism and Mass Communications. Her work since then often involves collaboration through supporting Black and brown artists, local arts organizations, and seeks to stimulate community engagement that’s driven by inclusivity, accessibility, intention, and care. Projects and events have been featured in Terremoto MX, NewCity, Sixty Inches From Center, ABC 7 Chicago, The Chicago Tribune, Chicago Reader, The Chicago Sun Times, Southside Weekly, Afropunk, and DapperQ.

About AMFM:

AMFM is an (art)ist organization for the people. We support and feature emerging and established artists through our website, which includes content with local artists and creatives from all over the globe, and through our curated events, exhibitions, partnerships, and activations. Through programming, AMFM combines the arts to cultivate community, diversity, inclusivity, intergenerational engagement and of course, good vibes with a purpose, mission, or cause. Learn more about us at http://amfm.life

Registration Details:

Space is limited to five artists. Advanced registration is required. The non-refundable registration fee can be paid online. Please register by Sunday, November 14th and please contact staff if you would like to request a specific time slot. We will notify artists of what time slot they have been assigned by Monday, November 15th.

COVID-19 Precautions:

Please review our COVID-19 studio procedures before arriving. Members will meet in the Annex. Staff will sanitize surfaces between sessions. Virtual sessions on Zoom are an option for people unable to visit the studio in person. Please note that screen-sharing a website or digital images will offer better image quality than sharing works using Zoom video.

If you are not a member and wish to participate in this member opportunity, please join or renew your membership.

The Spudnik Press Cooperative Residency Program provides mid-career to established artists two to six weeks of full studio access and the support necessary for the production of new print-based artwork. The Residency Program supports a range of local, regional, and national artists with each residency adapting to the interests and needs of the individual artist.

The Resident Artists contribute an integral role in the Spudnik Press community, bringing new perspectives, experiences and resources as they partake in a variety of public programs and professional opportunities throughout the duration of their residency. These activities vary from one artist to the next and may entail participating in artist talks, private events, critiques, teaching master workshops, or presenting an exhibition.

To Apply:

Please review our 2022 Residency Information Packet and our Residency page on our website for more information on the residency program and our application process. Return all requested materials to residency@spudnikpress.org no later than October 7th, 2021.

Important Details:

Application Fee: None; Free to apply
Deadline To Apply: Sunday, November 7th, 2021 
Finalists Selected: By November 24th, 2021
Final Notification: By December 8th, 2021
Residency Period: February 1, 2022 – December 31, 2022
Duration: Two to six weeks (local applicants are encouraged to apply for the full six weeks)
Stipend: $500
Additional Travel Stipend for non-local Artists: $500

Spudnik Press Cooperative encourages applications from artists from all backgrounds, including underrepresented groups that include (but are not limited to) artists of color, LGBTQ artists, women artists, and artists with disabilities. Our Accessibility page includes additional information about getting to the studio and using the equipment. Any requests for accommodations can occur upon finalist notification or acceptance.

Everyone’s safety is important to us. Participation in this program requires being onsite at Spudnik Press Cooperative and that per our Covid-19 Policy, all artists accepted into the program will be required to provide staff with proof of vaccination. Where possible, we will make reasonable accommodations for artists with a medical or religious exemption.

The 2022 Residency Program is possible with generous support from the National Endowment for the Arts Arts Work Grant.

Questions? Contact residency@spudnikpress.org.