Room in the House Residency

With generous support from Cuyahoga County residents through Cuyahoga Arts  & Culture, Karamu House will offer 16 artist residencies in 2021 – eight (8) visual arts; eight (8) performing arts. Residencies will be awarded in November 2021. The goal of Room in the House is for artists to leave Karamu’s residency as more empowered, independent artists. To this end, Karamu is excited to provide a financial award to support artistic growth and a platform for exposure – whether virtual or in-person.  

Application for the fellowship is open to Cuyahoga County-based artists with demonstrated commitment to their visual arts or performance-based practice.  Each selected Room in the House resident will receive a monetary stipend ($5,000) and the opportunity to exhibit/perform.  

RESIDENCY TIMELINES 

RESIDENCY DETAILS 

Visual Artists: 

• Eight (8) visual artists will be served.  Each will receive an opportunity to showcase work in Karamu’s digital exhibition platform.   
• Each resident visual artist will receive $5,000 from which they will be asked to secure their own supplies.
• Upon request, Karamu will work to identify partners to provide artist professional development workshops such as tax preparation, business and financial plan development, grant/proposal writing, marketing/media/PR.  

Performing Artists: 

• Eight (8) performing artists will be served.  Each will receive an opportunity to showcase work in Karamu’s digital exhibition platform.   
• Each resident performing artist will receive $5,000 from which they will be asked to secure their own supplies.   
• Upon request, Karamu will work to identify partners to provide artist professional development workshops such as tax preparation, business and financial plan development, grant/proposal writing, marketing/media/PR.  

SELECTION PROCESS + CRITERIA 

A selection committee comprised of members of Karamu’s leadership staff, board of directors, and community artist/stakeholders will comprise the selection panel and make the residency decisions. Only completed applications will be reviewed. The chosen resident artists will demonstrate artistic rigor, ability and intent, as well as align to Karamu’s vision of honoring the African-American experience through culturally and socially relevant work.   

Applying artists should submit a completed application with all support materials to: submissions@karamuhouse.org. Please include ROOM IN THE HOUSE RESIDENCY in the subject line to ensure that applications are received. If not selected, artists are invited to reapply.   

APPLICATION MATERIALS 

Submission of the following in narrative form (unless specified) constitutes a complete application: 

1. Artistic Statement 
2. Answers to the following questions: 
   1. Demographics: Name, Address, Cell Phone Number, Email Address 
   2. How does your artistic philosophy align to Karamu’s vision (see above Selection Process + Criteria section)? 
   3. Describe how the residency stipend will support your creative practice. 
3. Link to an example of your art or 3 web-quality work samples 
4. Any additional information or supplementary material the selection panel should have to support your application? 

Note: Completed applications must be received in Karamu House’s business office (2355 E. 89th Street, Cleveland, OH 44106) or via email at submissions@karamuhouse.org by 5:30 PM on the deadline date. Applications received after this time will NOT be considered.