ATLAS ARTIST
RESIDENCY-
RESIDENT TEACHING ARTISTS
The Atlas Teaching Artist Residency is a 120-day immersive experience for two professional artists who are passionate about mentoring young creatives while advancing their own artistic practice. Teaching artists play a pivotal role in guiding 10 high school students through a summer of exploration, skill-building, and storytelling centered on community identity and creative resilience.
Selected artists receive a $6,000 stipend, a $1,500 materials budget, studio space, and career development resources to support their journey. The residency is both a teaching opportunity and a chance for personal creative growth with access to workshops, professional mentorship, and exhibition opportunities.
The theme for our 2025 residency is HOL’ ON I STAY HERE, focusing on displacement and community identity, inviting teaching artists and youth to engage with Richmond’s history—particularly the legacy of Jackson Ward. Through multidisciplinary practices like sound art, graphic design, and photography, teaching artists will guide youth in exploring themes of storytelling, preservation, and transformation. This collaborative process culminates in the Atlas Residency Exhibition on First Friday, August 1, 2025, featuring works created by both the teaching artists and the youth cohort.
Teaching artists will also have time to deepen their creative practice, supported by ART 180’s network of resources and community partners. This residency is an opportunity to contribute to Richmond’s artistic legacy while shaping the next generation of changemakers.
Who Should Apply
We are looking for two highly motivated professional artists versed in artistic and media disciplines, including but not limited to:
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Passionate about teaching and working with young emerging artists (ages 14-19)
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Deeply invested in storytelling, preservation, and community history.
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Skilled in one or two multimedia practices:
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Audio & Sound Art Installations
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Music Production
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Podcasting
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Marketing & Branding
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Graphic Design & Digital Art
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Photography & Film
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Animation & Motion Graphics
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Why Apply?
The Atlas Residency is an opportunity for artists to develop their creative and professional growth. While supporting emerging artists, selected residents will also gain access to exclusive career-building resources, including:
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A 120-day studio residency at ART 180
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A stipend of $6,000
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A $1,500 material budget
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Free communal and career resources (grant writing workshops, exhibition training, financial literacy, and more)
Residency Responsibilities:
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250 service hours, including personal development, training, teaching, preparation, communication, and exhibition work
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Develop and instruct a highly engaging and educational curriculum to support aspiring young artists in creative careers intersecting with media.
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Expose students to artistic techniques and creative processes used by practicing artists
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Maintain regular communication and collaboration with ART 180 staff and community partners.
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Participate in the final exhibition, showcasing personal and youth-created works.
How to Apply
Interested artists should submit a completed application that includes the following materials:
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A CV or resume outlining relevant experience
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Profile Pic
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A portfolio of past work (5-10 samples) showcasing relevant artistic and media disciplines
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A brief statement of interest detailing your teaching philosophy, mentorship experience, and how your work aligns with the Atlas Residency.
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A proposed curriculum concept highlighting your approach to engaging young artists in creative and media-based storytelling
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Purpose: What will they be looking to accomplish, and how the residency will support their professional development.
Prospect candidates will be interviewed
For questions, email maurice@art180.org.
We look forward to receiving your application and welcoming new artists to the Atlas Residency community!