John Michael Kohler Arts Center announces Arts/Industry Residency Program (US)

Artists have the opportunity to spend three months creating works of art utilizing the company’s industrial materials and equipment. Artists-in-residence are exposed to a body of technical knowledge that enables them to explore forms and concepts not possible in their own studios. This emboldens artists to think and work in inventive ways.

The Arts/Industry residency program supports twelve artists annually, with four in residence at a time. There are three, three-month cohorts over the year. In each cohort, two residents work in the Kohler Co. Pottery and two in the Foundry to develop a wide variety of work in ceramic, cast iron, and brass.

Artists-in-residence have access to studio space in the factory twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. In addition, they receive free industrial materials, use of equipment, technical support, photographic services, housing, round-trip transportation, and a weekly honorarium.

Facilities and Materials

• The primary studio space for work in clay is located in the Cast Shop of Kohler Co.’s Pottery. Plaster, clay, and glaze are provided by Kohler Co. Artists use the company’s strong, off-white, high-fire vitreous china clay. The clay is superb for slip casting and carving but is less effective for throwing and hand building. The slip is piped under pressure to the artists’ studio spaces. Artists use plaster to make their molds for slip casting their work.
• Pottery artists-in-residence have a range of glaze possibilities to experiment with. Color variations may be made by adding ceramic stains to a variety of clear and white glaze bases. Kohler Co. has an extensive Research and Development Laboratory where artists are able to develop glazes.
• The Kohler Co. Foundry allows artists to cast or free pour iron shapes. Artists create their own patterns from an array of materials and use resin-bonded sand to make molds and cores. The three types of iron the company pours—ductile, engine, and enamel—can all be used for casting. Welding and cutting facilities are also available at certain times.
• Artists working in the Foundry also have access to the brass die cast area to cast forms in brass. In addition, the Enamel Shop offers the opportunity to layer enamel powders directly on red-hot iron in single or multiple applications. The Enamel Lab allows artists to experiment with and test the brilliant enamel colors available and mix their own custom blends.
• Arts/Industry provides materials and equipment normally used in factory production free of charge to artists for the creation of their work. Tools and materials not normally used at the factory must be provided by the artists.
• Arts/Industry studio technicians and Kohler Co.’s industrial craftspeople and engineers provide technical information and advice to resident artists. The artists do the actual work themselves. Assistants are not available unless participants make arrangements with the Arts/Industry director well before the residencies begin; in such cases, the artists-in-residence generally hire and provide remuneration to assistants.

Benefits

• Funds for round-trip travel to and from the artists’ homes are provided by the Arts/Industry program, and artists-in-residence are encouraged to bring their own cars. JMKAC has a communal vehicle for artists’ use if needed. Free, shared housing for the artists-in-residence is provided near the factory. Each artist also receives a modest honorarium for food and personal expenses. Artists are responsible for covering all expenses associated with shipping of finished works.

Eligibility Criteria

• The Arts/Industry residency program is open to artists working in all disciplines and at any stage in their careers. Applying artists need not be trained ceramists or metal sculptors. However, they must learn quickly and be able to do the labor necessary to create their work. Prospective artists will indicate their preference for working in either the Pottery or the Foundry.

Selection Criteria

• The selection of artists-in-residence is based upon several criteria:
  • quality of the artist’s work; potential impact of the residency upon the artist and their art;
  • ability of the artist to work with JMKAC staff, Kohler Co. personnel, and other artists-in-residence;
  • the ability to work within factory guidelines; and
  • technical capabilities of the artist.

Application Requirements

• Artist statement
• Statement of interest
• Statement of experience
• 10 images
• 2 references

For more information, visit John Michael Kohler Arts Center.