Arts/Industry Program Overview

Arts/Industry is often cited as the most unusual ongoing collaboration between the arts and industry in the United States. Hundreds of emerging and established visual artists have benefited from the Arts/Industry program at Kohler Co. since its inception in 1974.

Participants are exposed to a body of technical knowledge that enables them to explore forms and concepts not possible in their own studios as well as new ways of thinking and working.

Artists-in-residence may work in the Kohler Co. Pottery, Iron and Brass Foundries, and Enamel Shop to develop a wide variety of work in clay, enameled cast iron, and brass including but not limited to murals and reliefs, temporary or permanent site-specific installations, and functional and sculptural forms.

The Arts/Industry residency program is open to all emerging and established visual artists working in any discipline. Applying artists need not be trained ceramists or metal sculptors. However, they must have the capability of quickly mastering the industrial technologies. Artists may choose to work in either the Pottery or the Foundry/Enamel Shop or both. Not everyone who selects both areas may have the opportunity to work in both areas because of space and personnel limitations.

Although certainly not mandatory, artists interested in a residency are encouraged to tour Kohler Co. in order to aid them in understanding the possibilities and parameters of the program and in preparing an application.

For more information about the Arts Center, Kohler Co. and the Arts/Industry Residency Program, please see the the Residency page at the John Michael Kohler Arts Center’s website for a link to the Arts/Industry Program Brochure.    www.jmkac.org

Application Deadline

Applications for residencies in the calendar year 2013 are being accepted starting December 2011 with a deadline of April 1, 2012.  Submissions must be received by the end of the day on April 1, 2012 at 11:59pm MST.

Application Requirements

The following materials are required to apply:

1.) Twenty (20) digital images of your strongest previous work.  Images must be in JPEG format, and not exceed 1920 pixels x 1920 pixels, or 1.8 mb per image.

2.) Current resume and/or curriculum vitae.

3.) Brief summary of your proposal, 200 word maximum, and 1-3 correlating images/drawings/sketches.

4.) Preferred area of concentration: –Foundry/Enamel Shop and/or Pottery.

5.) Preferred length of residency, from 2 to 6 months.

6.) Four (4) references we may contact that know you and your work.

Resident Selection

The selection of artists-in-residence is based upon several criteria: quality of the artist’s work; potential impact of the residency upon the artist and his/her art; ability of the artist to work with Kohler Co. personnel and other artists-in-residence and within factory guidelines; and technical capabilities of the artist. Proposals are reviewed by John Michael Kohler Arts Center staff, past artists-in-residence, and others. In some cases, proposals are reviewed by Kohler Co. ceramic or metallurgical personnel. The review may include several discussions with the artist and the interviewing of references.

Residency Requirements

Artists-in-residence are asked to give one day per month to Educational Outreach,  such as lectures and tours of the artist’s work space, workshops, video interviews, and other activities in the region. Through these presentations, the John Michael Kohler Arts Center exposes the public, the arts community, and news media to the artists, their work, and the Arts/Industry program.

All of the artwork produced by artists during their residencies belongs to them. Artists are asked to gift two works: one to the John Michael Kohler Arts Center and one to Kohler Co.

Contracts are sent to artists who are selected for residencies. Upon arrival in Sheboygan, participants receive a thorough orientation to ensure a productive residency.