RESIDENCY APPLICATION

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. Accepted residents receive a stipend of $2,000 for 5 – 6 weeks, a $500 travel grant and private housing. We work with residents to share their work with the community (a gallery show, public workshop or other).

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RESIDENCY OVERVIEW

THE RESIDENCY:

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. There is a $25 fee to apply.

WHAT WE OFFER:

  • $2,000 stipend upon completion of the residency
  • $500 travel grant
  • Private housing
  • Gallery show in downtown Vicksburg
  • Video documentation
  • Membership to the Mug Club at the Distant Whistle Brewery

WHAT WE EXPECT:

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)
    Accepting Applications – September 1
    Applications Due – December 1
    Selections Announced – January 15

    SUMMER SESSION

    (June 1 – August 31)
    Accepting applications – December 15
    Applications Due – March 1
    Selections Announced – April 1

    FALL SESSION

    (September 15 – December 20)
    Accepting applications – March 15
    Applications Due – June 15
    Selections Announced – July 30

    APPLY TODAY

    SELECTION PROCESS

    RUBRIC

    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.

    We review each application using the criteria below:

    • Body of work: Does the applicant exhibit a high level of skill in their chosen medium?
    • Statement of purpose: What are the themes they are interested in exploring? Are the themes in conversation with the stated goals of The Mill?
    • Plan for incorporating The Mill and/or Vicksburg: Do they present a compelling proposal for how their work might fit include the Mill and/or Vicksburg?
    • Clear interest in being a part of the Prairie Ronde Artist Residency: Does the applicant appear to have researched Prairie, The Mill and Vicksburg?
    • Ability to thrive independently: Do the experiences listed demonstrate an ability to work with limited input? Are they capable of creatively utilizing their surroundings and other resources we offer?
    • Openness to and awareness of the realities of living in a rural community: Do they appear to be prepared and/or excited by the possibilities of living in this particular community?

    REVIEW PANEL

    Our Review Panel is made up of six panelists:

     

    • 3 former residents
    • 1 local community member
    • 1 Residency Director
    • 1 Residency Coordinator
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    FAQs

    ARE WRITERS ALLOWED TO APPLY?

    The goal of our residency is to bring artists who will engage directly with The Mill in the creation of their work. Because of this, it is difficult for us to serve writers who are looking to complete projects that are already in progress.

    However, we have accepted writers who are open to creating new works that are directly related to The Mill and the surrounding area of Vicksburg.

    IS THERE WI-FI IN THE RESIDENCE & THE MILL?

    Yes, we have Wifi available in the artist’s residence as well as in most areas of the Mill.

    CAN CHILDREN JOIN DURING THE RESIDENCY?

    Children are not allowed on the active construction site. The artist is responsible for any costs incurred for caregiving. We could accommodate a child and caregiver in our housing arrangements and can offer a list of daycare facilities in the neighborhood.

    HOW LONG DO MOST RESIDENCIES LAST?

    Residencies can range anywhere between 5 – 6 weeks. Once accepted to the program, residents will coordinate with the Residency Director to find a suitable span of time. We encourage our residents to come for at least 5 – 6 weeks in order to fully acclimate and integrate into the community.

    DO YOU ACCEPT COLLABORATIVE APPLICATIONS?

    Collaborators may apply on a single application. You should also know that the $2,500 stipend would need to shared amongst your group. We do not stipend per person.

    IS THERE AN APPLICATION FEE?

    There is a $25 application fee to apply. The fee covers the costs associated with submitting applications through Slideroom and well as the honorarium we pay to our review panelists for their time.

    AM I ABLE TO INSTALL MY WORK IN THE MILL?

    The Mill is currently an active construction site, so while we are able to give our artists access to the interior of the Mill to use as a source of inspiration, we are limited in accommodating installations in the space.

    WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE IN MICHIGAN?

    Southwest Michigan features a continental climate with warm, humid summers and cold, snowy winters. Thunderstorms are to be expected in the summer! Late season ice and snow storms are a possibility. 

    WILL MY RESIDENCY OVERLAP WITH OTHER ARTISTS?

    We typically only host one resident at a time, but we will, on occasion, have two residents on site. Every resident will always have their own personal living space. We will place residents in one of two houses in the historic village of Vicksburg, Michigan. However, we designed the residency for one artist at a time and are looking for artists who are self-sufficient and independently driven workers.

    CAN I BRING A FAMILY MEMBER OR A FRIEND?

    We are happy to have family and friends visit for short periods of time, but we do encourage our residents to make use of the solitude that the residency offers!

    WHAT ABOUT A PET?

    We are happy to discuss the possibility of accommodating your pet.  Please introduce them to us in your application.

    DO YOU ACCEPT INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS?

    We encourage international artists to apply, but international artists are responsible for obtaining their own visas to come to the United States. Most artists can come on a visitor visa, but certain countries do participate in the visa waiver program. Because the process can take some time, make sure to check the visa appointment wait times.

    If accepted, we are able to provide letters of invitation.

    *Because of the unpredictable nature of the COVID-19 crisis, we must assess our ability to host international applicants on a case-by-case basis.

    WHAT IS THE USUAL ARRIVAL AND TRANSPORTATION PROCESS?

    If you are flying in, we recommend that you purchase your flights to the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport (KZO). We will coordinate transportation from the airport, about a 15 min drive away from Vicksburg.