About the Program

The Taft-Nicholson Center Artist-in-Residence Program offers dedicated artists a supportive and transformational environment to further their creative development.  In a remote setting dedicated to the historical integrity of the land and the preservation of natural habitat and wildlife, artists can experience unencumbered time to allow for thoughtful reflection and development of their work.

The Artist-in-Residence Season begins on June 15th and ends on October 1st.  It is expected that individual residencies will be awarded for between 2-6 weeks.  Artists will specify how much time they need for their project. Requests for residencies less than two weeks will not be considered.

Artists from diverse multidisciplinary fields are encouraged to apply.  Residencies are open to visual artists, composers, writers, dancers, photographers, film makers, playwrights, and textile artists, among others.

Residencies are open to non-academic and academic applicants.  Please indicate in your application or project description if you are currently a university student or faculty member, and include your institutional affiliation.  Joint applications are permitted as the residence has two beds, and artists must chose to submit either a joint application or separate applications.

Qualified applicants with experience in ethnically diverse setting and/or who demonstrate a commitment to serving a diverse population are strongly encouraged to apply.  We are particularly interested in receiving applications from women and members of historically underrepresented groups.

Equipment and materials will be provided by the Artist.  Awardees will arrange for their own transportation to and from the Center and assume travel and food costs. The Center will provide lodging and work space.

• Lodging in the Carter Family Artist's Residence: The residence is a private one-bedroom house with living room, kitchen, wood stove, and work/study area
• The Zimbeaux Art Center: The Art Center is a restored school house with a large open work space and beautiful views of the Centennial Valley.

• It is assumed artists will be using the kitchen in their residences to cook for themselves. Catered meals are available when classes and workshops are in session at the Center, and artists can pay to eat in the Dining Hall at that time.  We do not want to exclude anyone selected from participating in the residency program because of food costs.  If an artist needs financial assistance support, please contact Director Mark Bergstrom to request a meal scholarship application.

Requirements

As part of the Taft-Nicholson Center community, Artists-in-Residence are expected to participate in the following ways:

• Indicate in your proposal how the remote and unique environment of the Centennial Valley is essential for your project.
• Interact with other faculty and students at the Center.  
• Donate one artistic work to the center that is inspired by Centennial Valley and your experiences in residence.
• Make at least one demonstration or portfolio presentation to the community.  The Center will provide dinner the night of the presentation.
• Be willing to be photographed, filmed, and/or interviewed for the center archives and website.
• Artist are excluded from consideration of a second residency for 3 years after a successful residency.
• On departure, artists must clean their work and living spaces so they are ready for the next artist. A cleaning fee will be charged if this important work is not done.

Need Financial Assistance?

If an artist needs financial assistance support, please contact taft-nicholson@utah.edu to request a meal scholarship application.