Pictured above: A glimpse into how former Good Art Co. studio artist Lisa Shimko made her studio a wonderland of paint, possibilities and nature
Oh hey,
emerging artists:
We saved you a great studio.
Here's the deal: We’re inviting one Upstate artist to hone their work and their practice inside a private studio here at Good Art Co. for 11 months, alongside 14 artist neighbors and a vibrant community of makers and collectors, culminating in a solo show at the end of your residency.
Emerging Artist Residency Program
✳︎
Emerging Artist Residency Program ✳︎
Pictured above: Our newest studio artist, Mattie R.
Applications are now open!
How long?: 11 months, September through August, annually
The space: A 10' x 10' private studio, yours ‘round the clock
The rent: Just $30 a month, thanks to our incredible residency sponsors, [NAME] 💚
How it ends: With your very own solo show in the Makerspace Gallery
Apply by: End of day on Friday, August 28th
Application fee: A one-time $10+ donation to our nonprofit to support Good Art Co.’s ‘year-round free programming
Pictured: A look inside Good Art Co. studio artist Susan S.’s sunny and inspired space
An Emerging Artist Studio Residency? How’d that happen?
We’ll tell you.
Good Art Co. got started because two artists went looking for a decent studio, couldn't find one anywhere, and figured they'd just have to make it themselves.
Fifteen studios later, we've got a gallery, a Makespace, an art shop, a press, and a pretty steady stream of people being welcomed through our doors. And we've got one studio we're now setting aside on purpose.
We're calling it the Emerging Artist Residency, which sounds fancier than it is. What it actually means: for 11 months, one artist enjoys a great studio and plenty of good company. You'll work down the hall from 14+ creatives always willing to share feedback or just lunch. You'll meet the folks who come through our doors. You'll teach something, if you want to. And at the end of the year, you'll have a solo show and a portfolio of work that didn't exist last September.
Requirements + Who This Residency is For
(in case you weren’t sure)
★ "Emerging" has nothing to do with how old you are.
We've met twenty-four-year-olds with a decade of serious work behind them, and we've met folks in their sixties making the best things they've ever made two years in. Age turns out to be a pretty unhelpful way to measure where an artist is. So we don't bother with it.
Here's what we actually mean by emerging. You probably qualify if:
You've been making your own work for somewhere in the neighborhood of two to ten years. Not class assignments, not somebody else's vision—yours.
You know roughly which way you're headed, even if the voice is still coming together.
The recognition hasn't caught up to the work yet. The shows, the write-ups, the collectors, the funding—still ahead of you.
You're serious about this. Not as a someday-maybe. As a thing you actually do.
You took time off for kids, or a sick parent, or a job that paid the bills. That doesn't count against you even a little. We promise.
If you got to the end of that list thinking well, yeah, that's me, then congratulations, that's the whole qualification. Come apply!
And if you're sitting there going I don't know, maybe?, apply anyway. We'd much rather read your application and talk it through than have you talk yourself out of it from home.
★ Who it's probably not for.
If you’re not sure you’re an “emerging artist,” we'd rather save you the time so you can get back to what you do best :)
Folks in a full-time degree program. If your school's already giving you a studio, this one should go to somebody who's got nowhere to put their big clunky paint-covered easel.
Artists who've already arrived. If you're showing regularly and selling steadily, we think you're great and we'd genuinely love to talk—but about our studio waitlist instead.
Anyone looking for storage. It's a lovely room. It should have somebody in it making a mess, not just piling up boxes or canvases.
Pictured above: Good Art Co. studio artist Kimberly’s relaxing space
More perks of being in good company
The good equipment. Access to our maker tools and facilities, printing press included.
Clean bathrooms and a kitchenette. Pee in peace. Bring your lunch, popsicles, and tea kettle.
Built-in marketing. Newsletter, social media, our press contacts, and your name up on the studios page.
First Fridays and Open Studios. You're in the building for Greenville's gallery crawl and MAC's Open Studios weekend. Thousands of people, zero cost to you, no tent to haul.
A place to teach. If you've been wanting to run a workshop, we'll help you build it, fill it, and get paid for it.
Shelf space in the shop. Display any for-sell work in our year-round Art Shop with everybody else's (+ the holiday pop-up!)
Ready to Apply?
We can’t wait to hear from you.
Must be 18+ years old; live within a 50 mile radius; be willing to be active and present in your studio 3-4 days a week; participate in First Friday Gallery Crawl nights and events; only use the studio for making artwork, not as a living quarters or storage; be willing to provide references and/or be background-checked.
★ Applicants will be notified of selection the first week of September. ★
Remember: We’re asking for a $10+ donation toward our nonprofit programming for the community as an application fee. Without it, we will not consider your request. You can make a donation at the link below—thanks!:
A little about the amazing folks helping us make this happen
Our Sponsors
Bella & James have a strong vision to support emerging artists. Good Art Co fully supports this vision. Bella & James believe in Good Art Co and their mission, and they proudly partner with Good Art Co to impact the lives of emerging artists. Good Art Co successfully creates opportunities for Bella & James to support emerging artists. Thank you Shaun and Morgan for your trust, generosity, and continued support. We are so thankful to partner with Good Art Co.