Library Artist-in-Residence
This program invites visual artists to interact with one of the largest Jane Austen collections in the world and produce an exhibition based on that interaction.
The year 2025 marks the 250th birthday of Jane Austen. To honor her birthday, Goucher College Library seeks an Artist-in-Residence to creatively engage with the Jane Austen Collection in the Library’s Special Collections & Archives. The artist will produce an exhibition in Goucher College’s Athenaeum as well as provide two public presentations/student interactions. The exhibition area is the display case outside of Special Collections Department (measuring approximately 122 x 76 inches with movable shelves) with the option to extend around the 4th floor mezzanine walls.
Possible projects can include but are not limited to painting, photography, sculpture, digital media, or installation art. Artists will have access to the Jane Austen Collection at Goucher College which includes rare books, foreign translations of Austen’s work, and manuscript collections from renowned collectors of Austen’s work. For more information about the Jane Austen Collection please visit https://janeausten.goucher.edu/.
The Library Residency is from November 1, 2024- October 30, 2025. Applications are due September 20, 2024. Any questions please contact Alex Ebstein, Project Coordinator, or Kristen Welzenbach, Curator of Special Collections & Archives, at archives@goucher.edu.
Program Goals
- Connect the Jane Austen collection with the Goucher community and beyond in a creative and accessible way.
- Provide engaging and fresh ways to look at Jane Austen in the 21st century.
- Highlight the variety of materials in the Austen collection. The artist will have access to Jane Austen scholars as they work with the material.
Artist Responsibilities
- Produce an exhibition in the Athenaeum on work done during the residency. The exhibition runs from August 2025- June 2026.
- Select with the committee one finished work that will become part of the permanent collection of the Goucher College Library.
- Facilitate/lead at least two programs in the fall of 2025. Programs can include interactive sessions, workshops, classes, artist talks, or other forms of community engagement.
- Artist may recruit Goucher students to assist with the production of the exhibition and programming.
- Promote residency and exhibition on social media.
Timeline
The 2025 residency will begin November 1, 2024 and run through October 31, 2025. Applications will be accepted from August 20, 2024 through September 20, 2024. The award will be announced on October 15, 2024.
The exhibit will need to be installed by August 2025 and will run through August 2025-June 2026.
Artist Support
Goucher College Library will pay $8000 to support travel, materials, and related expenses incurred by the artist. One half of the payment ($4,000) will be awarded at the start of the residency and the remainder ($4,000) upon completion. This is considered taxable income. The work that becomes part of the Goucher College Library collection is included in the $8000 payment.
Artist may be currently living and working anywhere in the United States but must travel to work with the collection materials in person and must return to campus for the installation and programming.
Application Process
Applications due September 20, 2024
Interested artists should submit the following information:
- One page project proposal that addresses the conceptual approach of the project, what interests you about the Jane Austen Collection, and how the artist would engage the public.
- One Year proposed timeline (November 1, 2024 – October 31, 2024)
- Resume or artist biography
- Past work samples – 10-15 images and/or up to 20 minutes of time-based media
Applications can be submitted via https://goucher.libwizard.com/f/libraryartist. Applicants will be reviewed by a jury of Goucher faculty, staff, and students.
Exhibition Area Reference Photographs
Exhibit case outside of Special Collections & Archives in which main exhibition will be (glass shelves are removed in this photograph but are available and adjustable if needed).
Examples of the Mezzanine Wall Space (this space is available if needed/wanted)
