Application Deadline: Sunday, November 2, 2025

The Residency Program at Spudnik Press offers studio space to artists working in printmaking media to produce new work. We welcome experienced printmakers from Chicago and beyond to work at Spudnik Press for a period of two to six weeks. Resident Artists enjoy 24-access to the entire studio and receive general support from our printmaking staff. We design the duration, focus, and activities of each residency based on the needs and priorities of each individual artist. It is our intention to provide resident artists with a supportive environment where they can develop a body of work, fostering creative growth and exploration of both traditional and innovative printmaking techniques.

In exchange, resident artists play an integral role in the Spudnik Press community, bringing new perspectives, experiences, and knowledge to our members and the broader public through a variety of public events and leaving a part of their prints with our press. Public programs are shaped by each artist’s skills and interests and have included artist talks, panel discussions, portfolio reviews with Spudnik members, workshops, and exhibitions.

Expectations

Residents are expected to make full and regular use of Spudnik Press facilities (Roughly 3+ days per week, depending on the project and duration of the residency). Resident artists receive one flat file drawer, 24-hour access, the option to reserve equipment, and shared workspace, but no private studio.
Residents receive a thorough orientation to Spudnik Press facilities and light technical support from staff. However, residents should be knowledgeable enough to generally work independently in the printmaking processes required for their project. Please address any need for specific or additional assistance in the cover letter.
Resident Artists will present some form of public program or event, customized around the skills and interests of the artist and the Spudnik Press community.
Spudnik Press will retain a portion of the finished artwork produced through the residency. Sales of these artworks provide the critical funding to sustain this program.

Eligibility
The Residency Program is committed to serving:

Artists who are able to commit 2-6 weeks to a single, print-based project.
Artists with a clear proposed residency project that is specific to their unique practice.
Artists with an interest in engaging with the Spudnik Press community.
Artists who are able to provide or coordinate their own travel, lodging, and local transportation during the residency.
Artists with enough printmaking experience to work independently in the studio, with only light technical support from staff.

Important Dates

Application Deadline: Sunday, November 2, 2025
Finalists Selected: by Monday, November 24, 2025
Final Notification: by Monday December 8, 2025
Residency Period: February 1 – December 31, 2026
Duration: Two to six weeks (local applicants are encouraged to apply for the full six weeks)

To Apply
Please submit the following materials to residency@spudnikpress.org. All documents should be PDFs:

Letter of interest (no more than one page): Please address the general scope of your project, what equipment and materials the project will require, an overview of your experience in printmaking, public programming preferences or ideas, ideal length of a residency, any restrictions around dates, and anything else you like us to consider that is not covered by other parts of the application.
Project Statement (no more than one page): Proposals should be well-defined and present a clear overview of the type and scope of work that you will produce. You do not need to specify exact edition sizes, print sizes, etc.
Portfolio of 7-10 Images: Images must not exceed 1MB each and should be titled with your name and a file number. Work should be recent and include print-based art when possible.
Image List: For each work, include the file name, title, medium, year of completion, and dimensions.
Current Resume or CV (Optional–note: a lack of exhibition history should not deter potential residents from applying)

We will also accept a video submission of no more than 10 minutes for those who may need to use a different format from a written proposal. Please reach out to us at Info@spudnikpress.org if you need assistance in creating an application or if there are additional accommodations needed concerning the submission format.

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.

Selection Process
Residency applications are reviewed by a jury comprised of staff, studio members, and artists. Decisions are based on the quality of the proposal, the strength of the portfolio, and the applicant’s ability to work independently while maintaining their own point of view. While résumés and CVs may provide helpful context, the jury’s main focus will be on the applicant’s work, process, and residency proposal. A lack of exhibition history should not deter potential residents from applying. Staff will conduct in-person or virtual studio visits with all finalists to assess technical skills and discuss public presentation and programming opportunities.

Our Facilities
Our studio houses professional facilities and rare equipment for a wide variety of traditional print processes and fine art publishing. The 4,800 sq. ft. space includes shared work areas, private studios, and mixed-use spaces for exhibitions, classes, and community events.

Our print studio supports a range of techniques, including intaglio, relief, risography, and screen printing. For a detailed list of our equipment and facilities, click here

Any inquiries regarding our Residency Program can be directed to info@spudnikpress.org