During residencies, artists work collaboratively with the staff or volunteers of the host site to align their arts practice with either learning or organizational objectives. Teaching artists lead up to three groups, of 30 participants in each group, through a creative project. In addition to teaching their art form, teaching artists use reflection, research, presentation, and/or production of art to enhance learning or achieve organizational objectives.
Residencies typically last 10, 15, or 20 days. Teaching artists are not intended to replace staff or faculty. Instead, they enhance the work of classroom teachers or site coordinators through collaboration.
The residency may be initiated by someone internal to the host site or a rostered teaching artist. Requests should be made no later than June of each year. However, applications will be accepted after June if their is a surplus of funding. Residencies are approved on a first-come, first-served basis.
The cost of a residency will vary depending on necessary supplies, the length of the residency, the artist selected, and allowable mileage and per diem (if 50 miles of more from their home to the host site). For the minimum residency length of 10 days plus a planning day, the total cost is approximately $3,000, with Erie Arts & Culture covering up to 30 percent of the artist fees. For residencies of 15 days, Erie Arts & Culture will cover up to 40 percent of the artist fees, and up to 50 percent for residencies of 20 days.
The host site is expected to providing matching funds through its own budget or financial contributors.
