Encore! Mt Morris

Painting Our Legacy on The Canvas of History
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Encore! Mt. Morris welcomes Megan Peterson as our Summer 2020 Artist-in-Residence. Megan has a bachelor's degree in painting and writing from St. Ambrose University and is interested in pursuing museum work and computer art. She is from Rockford, IL, has experience leading summer craft programs, teaching paint parties, helping at museum-hosted art camps, working on a city mural, and loves making art with lots of people! This time is strange and surprising right now, but Megan and Encore! are planning ways to keep making art fun this summer. She can't wait to meet you all soon! Whether it's through video or in person, you’ll be able to make beautiful art together AND stay safe and healthy!

Encore! (following current federal, state, and local guide lines, and safety protocols) will be offering weekly online art projects for students first grade through high school June 8th – August 7th, and safe social distance events this summer; including Plein-air sessions, fire hydrant painting, and more. There will be no gallery shows in June or July.

Encore! Mt. Morris
Artist-in-Residence
Applications Closed
for 2020

Encore! Mt. Morris
Artist-in-Residence Program
2020

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 hands-on 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 and other arts activities at Pinecrest Community (a multi-level residential community for senior citizens).
• 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 7, 2020. Some advance planning will begin via email/phone in April in order for Encore to do adequate publicizing of June activities and to order needed art supplies. On-site summer work 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 $750 stipend, as well as housing and meals provided. A modest budget will be provided for supplies and resources needed for the summer projects. A supply of extra materials from last summer is available. Retired art teachers on the Encore committee can assist with acquisition of additional art supplies at good prices, as needed. Bringing your own laptop computer and a car (relevant mileage reimbursed) would be helpful, but not required.

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 A-i-R 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 or hands-on, interactive art-building activities for all ages, partnering with other area artists, contributing to planning and brainstorming sessions with the Encore! Mt. Morris Steering Committee or Arts and Art Education Committee AND your ideas! Your personal interests, skills and summer goals 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, as well as accomplishments and recommendations will be completed near the end of the summer.

Artists who successfully complete a full application will be invited for an in-person interview, or if unable to attend 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.
• The ability to work collaboratively, independently and with good organizational skills.
• Experience with innovative group/community projects.
• At least 2 years of undergraduate study or professional experience as an artist using a variety of media.
• 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 with digital marketing.
The historic Mt. Morris College campus contains the oldest building in Mt. Morris, a beautifully preserved sandstone building used for science classes at the College and later converted to Watt Publishing Company. Encore! Mt. Morris has been able to acquire the use of the first floor as a multi-purpose art gallery space. Refurbished, painted and equipped during the summer of 2016 for art displays by volunteers, it has served as the anchor space for Encore! Mt. Morris to host numerous shows.

Regular shows are scheduled throughout the summer months, during the December holiday season, and less frequently at other times during the school year. The gallery is open during the summer Jamboree music concert series (Friday evenings) and Kable Band concerts (Wednesday evenings) and during other community events and festivals, as publicized.