RESIDENCY

Applications for the next cohort open October-December 2026.

Supporting Artists & Curators

The Chicago Artists Coalition Residency is a two-year, artist-centered program designed to support emerging and mid-career Chicago artists and curators through access, resources, and community. Offered at little to no cost, the residency brings together artists and curators in a collaborative cohort that emphasizes artistic development, professional growth, and meaningful engagement with Chicago’s arts ecosystem. Through exhibitions, studio access, mentorship, and sustained programming, the residency provides participants with the time, space, and support needed to build lasting practices and connections.

Current Residents

Sebastian Bruno-Harris

  • 2025 Cohort

Van Payne

  • 2025 Cohort

Skyler Simpson

  • 2025 Cohort

Rob Croll

  • 2025 Cohort

Gabriel Moreno

  • 2025 Cohort

Herman Aguirre

  • 2025 Cohort

Gunjan Chawla Kumar

  • 2025 Cohort

Leticia Pardo

  • 2025 Cohort

Pedro Montilla

  • 2025 Cohort
  • Curated group exhibition at the conclusion of your residency
  • Monthly 30-minute virtual check-ins with the residency cohort
  • Monthly professional development workshops
  • 6 studio visit opportunities by industry professionals
  • Bi-monthly career-building cafecitos/social activities
  • Bi-monthly exhibition opening receptions + artists’ talks/activations for corresponding exhibitions
  • Quarterly one-on-one coaching sessions
  • 2 social events: Resident mixer and Holiday party
  • 2 open studio events
  • Participation in larger Chicago art events, which may include Chicago Exhibition Week, West Town Art Walk, EXPO Chicago, The Other Art Fair
  • Emerging and mid-career artists/curators with a strong body of work.
  • Individuals looking to build community with other artists/curators, who want to network with the larger Chicago art landscape, and who want to learn practical skills for a sustainable arts practice.
  • Artists who want their work to be shown in galleries, museums, and other cultural spaces
  • Curators looking to expand their practice by working with artists to develop an exhibition
  • Artists/curators looking for mentorship through collective learning, shared resources and insight from industry professionals.
  • Artists who are looking for a space to expand on their current practice
  • Artists/curators who are looking to build lifelong connections
  • Artists who need a dedicated space in which to create and be open to visitors
  • Artists who can spend a minimum of 15 hrs per week on-site
  • Artists who want to be in community with other artists
  • Artists who work in non-toxic media, without need of heavy ventilation or equipment such as kilns, torches, etc.
  • Artists who are open to having their work and/or works in progress viewed by the public who visit CAC
  • Curators are chosen independently of visual artist applicants
  • Staff reads all applications and narrows them down to 100 people
  • List of 100 applicants then goes to 2 or 3 panelists, who whittle it down to 30 people (based on strength of work and fit for residency)
  • Final 30 candidates are given to curators, who will select their working pods
  • Curators choose top 6 artists
  • At that point, candidates will be interviewed and the studio selection process will begin

The BOLT and HATCH residency programs ran 2011-2024. In 2024, both residencies combined to be known as “CAC Residents” including past features of both BOLT and HATCH programs.

“During my time at CAC, I went from a graduate student with a few group shows on my resume to an artist with five solo shows, gallery representation, and a Special Project (Seep) seen by 30,000 people at EXPO CHICAGO in 2014. All a direct result of my time at Chicago Artists’ Coalition.”
Erik PetersonCAC Resident
“I am truly thankful to have been given the opportunity to exhibit at EXPO, I hope to continue to stay in touch. It is bittersweet moment knowing that EXPO was the culmination of my BOLT residency. I wish I could be a resident of CAC continuously, the amount of support that you all provide is truly integral in cultivating my artistic career, I am humbled and thankful.”
Yvette MayorgaCAC Resident
“BOLT allowed me to look at my career from various viewpoints up-close and far away, short-term and long-term. I definitely began to see my career as something much bigger and broader than I had before.”
Amina RossCAC Resident
“HATCH Projects gave me a valuable opportunity to work with artists outside of my immediate creative community. As a curator, I now have access to a group of artists who will do amazing work in the city and elsewhere. In addition to building my professional community, HATCH challenged what I already knew and expanded my capacity to generate thoughtful ideas and exciting exhibitions.”
Le Keisha LeekCAC Resident