Artists-in-Residence

Artist Residencies

Contemporary Craft’s Artist Residencies allow artists in any stage of their career free access to fully equipped studios, CC staff support, and the opportunity to interface with the public while creating a body of work.  The program supports artists working in a craft medium that can be supported by our Studios, such as metalsmithing, jewelry, fibers, weaving, wood, encaustics, paper and book arts, small ceramics, and small-scale woodworking.

We offer two types of National Residencies (for artists living outside of a 100 mile radius of Pittsburgh, PA) and two Regional Residencies for artists living near Pittsburgh.

Contemporary Craft’s mission is to engage the public in creative experiences through contemporary craft.  We strive to create an inclusive environment and encourage artists of all backgrounds to apply.

 

National Residencies

Contemporary Craft offers two types of National Residencies (for artists living outside of a 100 mile radius of Pittsburgh, PA).  A Short Term Residency for a period of one month, and a Long Term Residency for a period of six months.  All National Artists-in-Residence will receive free furnished housing in a four bedroom home just a quick three-minute drive from Contemporary Craft, a private work space at Contemporary Craft, and access to our fully equipped Studio spaces.

Applications Due: February 15, 2023 at 11:59pm EST
Notifications Sent: March 7

Short Term Residency

Each Short Term Residency will last for a period of one month during May 2023, August 2023, November 2023, and February 2024 (exact start date flexible within the month).  

Eligibility and Requirements

  • Applicants must be 18 years of age or older and must be non-Pittsburgh residents.
  • Residents will receive free furnished housing in a 4 bedroom home just a quick 3-minute drive from Contemporary Craft.  Residents will have a private bedroom, shared bathroom, full kitchen, living space, laundry, and parking.   
  • Residents will receive a $1,200 stipend, half of which will be given upon arrival and half upon completion of the term.   
  • Residents are responsible for their own travel to and from Pittsburgh.  
  • Residents will receive access to Contemporary Craft’s facility from 9am-9pm daily.  Residents will have a private work space as well as access to the community Studio spaces.  
  • Short Term Residents will be required to select at least one option from the following menu to engage with the Contemporary Craft community during their residency:
    • Teach a half-day or full-day workshop (residents will receive additional compensation for teaching above their residency stipend)
    • Give an Artist Talk about their work and residency
    • Sell work through the store via an artist pop-up feature
    • Engage with youth through CC’s community engagement programs
    • Give an artist demo at a CC event
  • Residents will be required to donate one piece of work to CC’s annual gala auction in the spring.

 

Long Term Residency

The Long Term Residency will last for a period of six months from June 2023-November 2023 or January 2024-June 2024.  

Terms and Conditions

  • Applicants must be 18 years of age or older and must be non-Pittsburgh residents*.
  • Residents will receive free furnished housing in a 4 bedroom home just a quick 3-minute drive from Contemporary Craft.  Residents will have a private bedroom, shared bathroom, full kitchen, living space, laundry, and parking.   
  • Residents will receive a $1,200 monthly stipend, which will be paid at the end of each month of the residency.   
  • Residents are responsible for their own travel to and from Pittsburgh.  
  • Residents will receive access to Contemporary Craft’s facility from 9am-9pm daily.  Residents will have a private work space as well as access to the community Studio spaces.  
  • Long Term Residents will be required to select at least two options from the following menu to engage with the Contemporary Craft community during their residency:
    • Teach a half-day or full-day workshop (residents will receive additional compensation for teaching above their residency stipend)
    • Give an Artist Talk about their work and residency
    • Sell work through the store via an artist pop-up feature
    • Engage with youth through CC’s community engagement programs
    • Give an artist demo at a CC event
  • Residents will be required to donate one piece of work to CC’s annual gala auction in the spring.

To Apply

Artists my apply for either or both of the National Residencies below.  Please have the following documents prepared:

  • Resume (optional)
  • Artist Statement
  • Letter of Interest outlining the body of work you hope to complete during your residency
  • Three professional references
  • Five photos of your work

National Artist-in-Residence Application

 

Regional Artist Residencies

The Regional Artist-in-Residence program at Contemporary Craft allows artists living within 100 miles of Pittsburgh, free access to fully equipped studios, CC staff support, and the opportunity to interface with the public while creating a body of work.  The residency will last between 3-6 months, depending on the mutual availability of the requested Studio and the resident artist interest.  In exchange for the free usage of Contemporary Craft’s state of the art studio space as well as a monthly materials stipend, the artist in residence will be asked to engage with the public while working in the studio.

Benefits

  • Full access to community studio space, equipment, and tools during all public hours
  • Private storage for personal tools and equipment
  • a $100 monthly materials stipend
  • Opportunity to enter into a relationship with CC’s retail Store to sell work
  • Free tuition for 1-2 Studio workshops based on the length of the residency
  • Opportunity to be a paid instructor in the Studio

Responsibilities

The Regional Artists-in-Residence are expected to:

  • Be present in the Studio at least 1-2 days each week for the duration of the residency
  • Volunteer for public events and be available to visitors
  • Give an artist talk/presentation to CC staff at the culmination of the residency
  • Attend a short weekly check-in with Studio staff
  • Maintain overall Studio cleanliness

Sessions

There are four residency sessions throughout the year.  Applicants may request one session or two sessions in their desired Studio.  Sessions are as follows:

  • January 1-March 30
  • April 1-June 30
  • July 1-September 30
  • October 1-December 31

Schedule

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and will be reviewed approximately 2 months prior to the start of each session.  Applications will be reviewed and notifications will be sent according to the following schedule:

Session Dates Applications Reviewed Notifications Sent
January 1-March 31, 2023 November 1, 2022 November 8, 2022
April 1-June 30, 2023 February 7, 2023 February 14, 2023
July 1-September 30, 2023 May 2, 2023 May 9, 2023
October 1-December 31, 2023 August 1, 2023 August 8, 2023

To Apply

Please have the following documents prepared:

  • Resume (optional)
  • Artist Statement
  • Letter of Interest outlining the body of work you hope to complete during your residency
  • Three professional references
  • Five photos of your work
  • Desired residency session(s) and choice of Studio (Metals, Fibers, or Mixed Media)

Regional Artist-in-Residence Application

 

Current Regional Artists-in-Residence

Dan Brockett

Dan Brockett creates handwoven baskets from willow grown on his 12 acre property, Foggy Blossom Farm, in Leechburg, PA. He began weaving in 2018 and has primarily focused on traditional techniques including stake and strand, Zarzo, and rib-style weaves. As a grower turned self-taught artist, there is an element of companionship with, and reverence for, his material that permeates every project. From choosing the willow varieties he plants to eventually harvesting and selecting each rod for a specific basket, Dan’s desire to be in relationship with all aspects of his craft is the driving force behind his work.

Dan’s Website

Amanda Stumpf

Amanda Stumpf is an American jewelry artist from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She attended Kent State University in Ohio, where she completed a BFA in Crafts with a concentration in jewelry and metalworking, along with a minor in Art History. Amanda continued her education in Florence, Italy where she attended Alchimia Contemporary Jewellery School and received her MFA in Contemporary Jewellery and Body Ornament. 

Amanda’s Website

Stefanie Zito

Stefanie Zito is a mixed media artist who draws inspiration from ecology. Her work is process-driven and materials-led, exploring ideas of home and the substance of time. She utilizes slow and traditional domestic practices like spinning, stitching, cooking, gardening, and weaving– deconstructing and reimagining both natural and commonly discarded materials, exploring what it means to inhabit space and cultivate growth. Stefanie lives in Pittsburgh, PA with her husband and two sons. She is a graduate of the New York Center for Arts and Media Studies and is a Certified Permaculture Designer. Recent exhibitions include Tenuous Threads in New York City, International Art Textile Biennale in Australia, and Fiberart International at Contemporary Craft in Pittsburgh, PA.

Stefanie’s Website

Past Regional Artists-in-Residence

Stefanie Zito, Fibers – January 2023-April 2023
Dan Brockett, Basketry – October 2022-April 2023
Amanda Stumpf, Metals and Fibers – October 2022-April 2023
Jamie Boyle, Fibers – January 2022-September 2022
Jennie DiBeneditto, Metals – July 2022-September 2022
Tressa Jones, Wood – July 2022-September 2022
Adeline Kubicsek, Metals – July 2022-September 2022
N.E. Brown, Wood – January 2022-June 2022
Andrew Thornton, Metals – January 2022-June 2022
Corey Drew, Metals – April 2021-July 2021
Taylor Fentz, Metals – November 2020-December 2020