Emerging Artists of Color Residency

For Muskegon County artists of Color ages 16-20

Congrats to Nina Oliver of Muskegon Heights Academy, who has been chosen as the 2021 Emerging Artists of Color Resident!

As part of our goal to increase the diversity of our programming and with the assistance of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Consultant Tracey Robertson, we are proud to announce the first annual Emerging Artists of Color Residency. This paid residency will provide one artist with a studio space, art materials, a mentor, and up to 48 hours of dedicated time to work on a visual art project of their choice. 

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At the ACWL-Nuveen, only 4% of our current Artist Members identify as People of Color, while approximately 7% of area residents and 21% of Michigan residents identify as Black, Indigenous or a Person of Color, according to www.usa.com. This program, which we hope to grow in the coming years to include more artists working in a variety of mediums, is our first dedicated attempt to include diverse communities in our gallery and the broader White Lake community.

Program Description

Muskegon County artists who identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color, ages 16-20, are invited to apply for the first-annual Arts Council of White Lake-Nuveen Center (ACWL-Nuveen) Emerging Artists of Color Residency. Sponsored by an anonymous donor, this two-week program will provide one local artist working with 2-dimensional media a studio space, materials and up to 48 hours of dedicated time to work on a visual art project of their choice. The chosen artist will receive a $500 stipend and mentoring from ACWL-Nuveen Artist Member Lester White. The artist must present their project at an informal, public exhibition at the ACWL-Nuveen within one month of the completion of the residency.

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About Lester White - https://www.instagram.com/lawdesignz/

Lester White is a Grand Rapids-based artist of Color working in multiple mediums with

a special interest in still-life, portrait and abstract painting. He enjoys working with

aspiring artists – teaching them how to create a successful portrait and making abstract

painting approachable.

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Logistics

  • The artist will have access to studio space at the ACWL-Nuveen for up to 48 hours over the course of two

       weeks – Tuesday-Friday from 11:00am – 5:00pm.

  • The artist must volunteer at the ACWL-Nuveen for 6 hours, doing tasks of their choice. Options include

       organizing classroom/gallery space, assisting ACWL-Nuveen staff, working community events, or other 

      ideas the artist may suggest.

  • The artist must commit to 40 total hours of personal studio work at the ACWL-Nuveen. The 6 hours of

        volunteer time can be counted toward the 40 hours or can be in addition to the required time

        commitment.

  • The residency will take place in August of 2021. Specific dates will be determined by the artist, Lester White and ACWL-Nuveen staff.

  • The artist will receive $250 upon completion of the first 20 hours of studio work and the remaining $250 upon completion of the entire 40 hours of studio work.

  • ACWL-Nuveen staff will work with the artist to secure whatever supplies/materials they may need to complete their project, within reason.

  • If transportation to Whitehall is a barrier, it will be provided.

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Lester White, artist