Artisan Residency Program

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NWTC Artisan and Business Center Residency Program

The NWTC Artisan and Business Center offers a competitive business-focused residency program to visual artists starting or growing their arts-based business in Northeast Wisconsin. Up to five artists are accepted annually and receive mentorship, educational opportunities, and experiences to grow their arts-based business. There is no cost to apply or participate in the program.

Residency Application

Review Residency Schedule Here

Please review all dates, deadlines, and times outlined in the schedule before submitting an application.

Accepted Residents are expected to participate in all meetings.

Submit Residency Application Here

Application Submission Guidelines:

Application must be completed in one sitting. (Application form will time out if left open for too long.)
Consider using a word processer outside the application to draft your responses and copy/paste into application form.
Application cannot be accessed after submission to make changes.
Applications will not be collected after due date.

Program Outline

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At NWTC, we believe everyone has worth. We are not limited to age, gender, social status, sexual orientation, and religion. We are unified in dignity and diversity. We believe everyone — no matter where they are in their personal and professional journeys — can dream big and rise above their current places. We believe everyone can soar higher. For special accommodations or questions about accessibility, contact Carrie.Dorski@nwtc.edu.

Residency Program Goals

Residency Program Goals

Encourage and foster entrepreneurship in the arts.
Mentor artists to develop the business skills needed to be successful.
Foster and contribute to a creative economy in Northeast Wisconsin.

Residency Program Timeline

Annual Timeline:

May 5, 2025: Applications Open
June 6, 2025: Applications Close
End of June: Interviews / Contracts
Mid July: Announce Artists
July & August: Artist Orientations
September: Begin Monthly Meetings
September - June: Monthly Meetings
1. Vision & Future
2. Business Basics
3. Branding
4. Goal Setting
5. Website & Online Presence
6. Group Critique
7. Exhibition Development
June/July:Residency Exhibition at the Art Garage
- Opening Reception
- Artist Talk at Exhibition

Selection Process

All applications are reviewed by Artisan Center staff to ensure completion and eligibility.
Artisan Center staff will select finalists for in-person or virtual interviews.
Artisan Center staff will select and notify up to 5 artists each year.

Applications and interviews are reviewed by Artisan Center staff using the following criteria

Is the provided application complete and contain sufficient detail related to all application questions?
Is the artist living and working in Northeast Wisconsin?
Does the artist produce artwork of quality?
Is the artist starting and/or growing the business of their established art practice?
Does the artist show potential to develop a successful business practice?
Does the artist demonstrate a commitment to participate in all program activities and engage in opportunities offered at the Artisan Center?
Does the artist have the capacity to create a body of work for exhibition?
Does the artist demonstrate passion for a creative community?

NWTC Artisan Center Commitment

Follow above timeline.
Provide an Open Studio Membership for the duration of the program at no cost.
Provide website and social media features.
Provide one non-credit class at no cost.
Provide opportunities to create community within the cohort and with the Artisan Center’s staff/faculty/students.
Provide opportunities to meet arts professionals to specifically help advance a resident’s practice.
Provide exhibition space and marketing for residency exhibition.

*Please note, this is a nontraditional residency. NWTC does not provide studio space, housing, meals, or stipends.

Accepted Artists Commitment

Participating for the duration of the program from July through June.
Meeting with program mentor 1x per quarter.
Attending monthly meetings with residency cohort.
Engaging in responsive and timely communication.
Attending and promoting residency events.
Completing requirements for website and social media features.
Creating a body of artwork for the culminating exhibition.
Participating in the Artisan Center’s business-focused speaker series, An Artist’s Journey, near the end of the residency program.