Prairie Ronde Artist Residency

About the Open Call

We’re looking for individuals who are highly independent, engaged and curious. We do not limit our residency to any specific medium, but rather are looking for diverse artists who can creatively interact with The Mill. We host three sessions annually and accept 2 – 4 residents per session. Prairie Ronde is hosted by The Mill at Vicksburg, a redevelopment project of the former Lee Paper Company mill, in the historic village of Vicksburg, Michigan. We provide artists from a range of disciplines a 5 – 6 week residency with the goal of engaging with The Mill and its surrounding 80 acres of property. We have three residency sessions per year: Spring, Summer and Fall. Prairie Ronde is a process-based residency. Our aim is for independently driven artists to explore and grow their craft while creatively engaging with the space that we have to offer. While we are process-based, we ask that artists donate a piece of work produced during their time at the residency to our permanent collection. Spring Session (March 15 – May 31), Summer Session (June 1 – August 31), Fall Session (September 15 – December 20). Resident applications are scored by a review panel following a rubric. Applications with the highest scores are then asked to interview with the Residency Director and Coordinator. Review criteria include: Body of work, Statement of purpose, Plan for incorporating The Mill and/or Vicksburg, Clear interest in being a part of the Prairie Ronde Artist Residency, Ability to thrive independently, Openness to and awareness of the realities of living in a rural community. The Review Panel is made up of six panelists: 3 former residents, 1 local community member, 1 Residency Director, 1 Residency Coordinator. Writers are allowed to apply if they are open to creating new works directly related to The Mill and the surrounding area of Vicksburg. Wi-Fi is available in the artist’s residence and most areas of The Mill. Children are not allowed on the active construction site; the artist is responsible for caregiving costs. We could accommodate a child and caregiver in housing. Residencies last 5 – 6 weeks. Collaborators may apply on a single application, but the $2,500 stipend (total for residency and travel) must be shared. The Mill is an active construction site, limiting installations but offering inspiration. Southwest Michigan has a continental climate. We typically host one resident at a time, sometimes two, with each having their own personal living space. Family and friends can visit for short periods. Pets can be discussed. International artists are responsible for obtaining their own visas (visitor visa or visa waiver program), and letters of invitation can be provided. However, as of April 15, consideration of international applicants is temporarily suspended.

What is Offered

$2,000 stipend upon completion of the residency, $500 travel grant, private housing, gallery show in downtown Vicksburg, video documentation, and membership to the Mug Club at the Distant Whistle Brewery. Residents will also share their work with the community through a gallery show, public workshop, or other event.

Requirements

The residency seeks highly independent, engaged, and curious artists from a range of disciplines, including writers open to creating new works related to The Mill and Vicksburg. Artists are expected to explore and grow their craft while creatively engaging with The Mill and its surrounding property, and to donate a piece of work produced during their time to the permanent collection. Applicants are scored on their body of work, statement of purpose, plan for incorporating The Mill/Vicksburg, clear interest in the residency, ability to thrive independently, and openness to rural community life. As of April 15, consideration of international applicants is temporarily suspended, though typically international artists are encouraged to apply and are responsible for obtaining their own visas.

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through Slideroom via the 'APPLY' link, requiring a $25 fee. A review panel scores applications based on body of work, statement of purpose, plan for incorporating The Mill/Vicksburg, interest in the residency, ability to thrive independently, and openness to rural community.