This month, five new artists begin their residencies at Houston Center for Contemporary Craft. There are many different reasons for them to choose HCCC. Some were drawn to the program by the city of Houston itself, with its vibrant arts scene and cultural community. (In fact, many former resident artists choose to settle here afterwards.) Others are attracted by what our program offers: a monthly and quarterly stipend, studios with 24/7 access, and monthly professional development opportunities. The quality of our program is clearly demonstrated by how applicants are finding us; currently, most are referred by word of mouth from colleagues or instructors.
Selecting the artists is never an easy task, with competition growing each year in both quantity and quality. A jury formed from a selected panel of working artists, resident-artist alumni, curators, and respected art experts reviews every application. The panel looks for work that can stand on its own, by artists who show innovation and potential for growth in their fields. Though craftsmanship and quality are prized, they also look for work demonstrating an articulated concept. HCCC wants to prompt conversation about craft, and our residency program is the most direct way to engage in public dialogue.
With anywhere from five to ten artists in residence yearly, HCCC can offer the visiting public a wide variety of perspectives on craft—en experience far more encompassing than our regular programming could cover. In return, we can offer the artists opportunities they may not be able to access or guarantee on their own. Many of our residents are selected for exhibitions or representation at HCCC, and there is a wealth of teaching opportunities in the area.
We hope you will visit HCCC soon, and continue the conversation with our newest resident artists: Natasha Hovey, Jera Lodge, Alexis Myre, Collette Spears and Rena Wood. Learn more about them here.
Our next call for resident artists opens November 1st—click here to learn more.
