Residency ARC + ATHENA Artist Residency
Opportunity Description
International Deadline: December 15, 2026 – The ARC + ATHENA Artist Residency is a new initiative designed to support ambitious artists through sustained dialogue, mentorship, and exhibition opportunities. The program seeks to cultivate innovative and dynamic work while fostering meaningful relationships between artists, curators, and ARC’s artist-led community.
Supported by ATHENA, ARC’s philanthropic partner, and administered by ARC Gallery & Educational Foundation, the program will annually select three artists from an international pool to participate in a ten-month remote residency program. The residency will culminate in three concurrent solo exhibitions at ARC Gallery in Chicago that are connected through a common framework developed during the residency period.
Mission. The ARC + ATHENA Artist Residency supports artists committed to rigorous studio practice, experimentation, and dialogue. Through mentorship, professional development, and access to ARC Gallery’s extensive network, the program aims to provide artists with the resources and community necessary to create ambitious new work and expand their professional opportunities.
RESIDENCY DETAILS
The residency will last ten months (February-November 2027), allowing sufficient time for research, experimentation, and the development of exhibition-ready work. Residents work from their own studios; relocation to Chicago is not required. Residents should plan to travel to Chicago for installation and the exhibition opening. Travel costs are not currently covered.
Stipend. Through ATHENA, each resident receives $1,500: a $1,200 artist stipend and a $300 shipping allowance (which may also be put toward art supplies).
ELIGIBILITY
The residency is open to artists working in any medium, at any education level. Artists will be considered based on:
- Artistic merit and professional commitment
- Originality and ambition
- Strength and potential of the proposed investigation
- Capacity for collaboration, critique and exchange
- Alignment with the residency’s spirit of experimentation and development
APPLY ONLINE – Application Fee: $40
Visit us online for complete details and to Apply.
SALES
ARC does not take commission for work sold; 100% of the sale price goes to the artist.
About:
ARC Gallery and Educational Foundation is a non-profit, woman-run cooperative gallery dedicated to providing alternative space exhibition opportunities for innovative artists outside the commercial gallery system. Since 1973 ARC has given exposure and support to artists, providing an atmosphere for the continued development of artistic potential and experimentation.
ARC is run entirely by its women artist members; as a non-profit exhibition space. ARC receives some support from outside funding sources but not enough to cover our operating expenses. Thus, to provide the space and services we offer to exhibiting artists, we defray our expenses by charging exhibition fees. Each of the rental spaces in the gallery actually costs twice as much as we charge the artists.
ARC Gallery & Educational Foundation
1463 W. Chicago Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60642
(773) 252-2232
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