Encore! Mt. Morris
Artist-in-Residence Application: Deadline February 10, 2018

Thank you for your interest in applying for Encore! Mt. Morris’ artist-in-residence program. This document will provide you with basic information about our region, the Encore! Mt. Morris organization, the residency program itself and the application. If you have any questions, please direct them to residency@encoremtmorris.com Please allow up to 48 hours for a response.

Description of Mt. Morris and the Region
Mt. Morris is a rural community (~3000) in northern Illinois, two hours west of Chicago and five miles west of Oregon, the Ogle County seat. For over 100 years, our community was best known for education (Mt. Morris College and excellent schools), printing (Kable Printing Co), publishing (Kable News, Watt Publishing) and agriculture. In recent years, the digital and global commerce world has fueled company mergers and big changes in the printing and publishing world. As a result, Mt. Morris is in the position of re-defining itself for the future.  The historic college campus and uptown, summer concerts, the Let Freedom Ring festival, and community pride, as well as the area’s state parks and the Rock River still exist to build upon! See photos and more information at http://www.mtmorrisil.net  and https://www.facebook.com/MMCommunityEvents 

Encore! Mt. Morris
In the spring of 2016, the Mt. Morris Economic Development Group (EDG) hosted 80 area residents and experts for a 3-day retreat to establish a plan for building on Mt. Morris’ strengths and assets to spur new economic development through the arts. The vision of “Encore! Mt. Morris” was born; six committees with specific goals were formed. Since that time, the committees have worked hard to create the Old Sandstone Gallery and host several art shows, evaluate uptown and campus properties for potential businesses or art venues, begin fundraising efforts, invent three new annual festivals (PorchFest, U.S. National Straw Sculpting Competition, JamFest), offer art classes, and sponsor this new artist-in-residence program. Mt. Morris is on its way to being an arts destination! See photos and more information at http://www.encoremtmorris.com 

ENCORE! Mt. Morris’ mission is to create a destination for the arts, education, creativity, innovation and a vibrant business community, building on our heritage and existing strengths, pursuing sustainable and scalable goals, supporting current and new businesses and inspiring the greater community to participate.

Artist-in-Residence Program

Focus
Encore! Mt. Morris is seeking artists with a particular interest in community-based artwork (broadly defined) for the Artist-in-Residence program. Specifically, the program will give preference to artists with an interest in:
•	Integrating your community development ideas through the arts with Encore’s vision and goals.
•	Designing art experiences for all ages, including younger citizens and families, the retired and all ages in between.
•	Contributing to arts-oriented community festivals, events and public art initiatives already on the summer Encore schedule.
•	Strengthening the “Color Me a Memory” initiative or other arts activities at Pinecrest Community.
•	Assisting Encore’s Steering Committee in structuring future artist-in-residence opportunities.

Logistics
The A-I-R program provides a full-time internship-like experience between June 1 and August 10, 2018. Scheduled hours may vary week to week, depending on the number and types of events going on, but will almost always include Friday commitments. Compensation includes a $500 stipend, as well as a studio apartment and meals at no cost. A modest budget will be provided for supplies and resources needed for the summer projects. 

Encore! Mt. Morris leaders will provide orientation to Mt. Morris, the Encore project, area resources for arts-oriented activities, and specific goals for this summer. Expectations for the artist include creating art in our community with the community, such as weekly hands-on art experiences, children’s art activities at summer festivals, art classes for all ages, partnering with other area artists and your ideas! Your personal interests and skills will be taken into account when developing activity plans and targeted outcomes. The Encore leaders will also provide supervision, support and feedback on progress toward those outcomes. A final evaluation of the experience and accomplishments will be completed at the end of the summer.

Artists who successfully complete a full application may be invited for an in-person interview, or if unable due to distance or cost, may use Skype or Facetime. Final selection is expected to be made by March 1st. 

Requirements/Criteria for Selection
This community-oriented experience for artists is looking for someone with:
•	Demonstrated interest in the visual arts and art education.
•	Ability to work collaboratively and independently.
•	Strong organizational skills, reliability and punctuality.
•	At least 2 years of undergraduate study or professional experience as an artist.
•	Consent to and passage of a criminal background check.
Other preferred criteria include:
•	Demonstrated interest in community development, organizational development or long-range planning.
•	Demonstrated additional interests in the performing arts or culinary arts.
•	Experience in digital marketing.

Encore! Mt. Morris Artist in Residence Application

All application materials are due by February 10, 2018  to residency@encoremtmorris.com . Please put your name and “Encore A-i-R” in the subject line of the email. Save text files in RTF or PDF format. You may enlarge the boxes below by a few lines to complete answers to broader questions in the application. The materials you send should include a: 
1.	completed application form (see below) Title of file: LastnameFirstname_App.pdf
2.	resume’—a simple and up-to-date resume (no more than 2 pages) Title of file: LastnameFirstname_resume.pdf
3.	cover letter addressing the following questions:
a.	What appeals to you most about this opportunity?
b.	Which experiences listed on your resume’ and application below have contributed most to your development as an artist? How?
c.	What strengths do you have which will most likely contribute to your success as an artist-in-residence?
d.	Are you available for the full 10-week experience? Only five consecutive weeks? (Which 5?) 
e.	Do you plan to live in Mt. Morris during the experience? (free)

Applicant Information	
Last name	First	Today’s Date	
Street Address	Apt/Unit	
City/State	Zip	
Phone/cell	Email	
How did you hear about our program?

Experience/Education and Skills	
Are you currently a full-time student?   Y   N	If so, where?	
Level:  Freshman  Sophomore  Junior  Senior Graduate Student	Area of study/major? 	
Favorite medium/media as an artist: 	
If you are not a student, describe your experience as a practicing artist.

Do you have experience with web design, graphic design, photo editing, marketing materials development? Advanced Internet searching? Describe your computer skills.

Describe your volunteer experiences (especially ones that have contributed to your learning, relevant to this position)

References (at least 1 should be a professional colleague or professor)	
Name and relationship to applicant:	Contact info: (phone, email)
	
Name and relationship to applicant: 	Contact info: (phone, email)
	
I certify that my answers are true and complete to the best of my knowledge.  If this application leads to an A-I-R opportunity, I understand that false or misleading information on my application may result in my release. 
__________________________________________________	__________________________
Signature					Date