residency program
At QCC, your time can feel like a “Choose Your Own Adventure” book. With a fun and lively staff, you decide the direction that you need to take, and we are right behind you to support and mentor you in either one specific area or across every facet (pottery humor) of the business.
Our residency program is designed to allow emerging and established artists the space to develop work in a supportive and creative environment, foster innovative teaching concepts, provide support for new and exciting workshop ideas, and give residents the ability to “test drive” different clay career possibilities. The residency program at Queen City Clay is unique in that it emphasizes the development of the individual as part of a larger community in both the studio and in the greater tri-state area. Our residents benefit from the connections we have made over many years with local universities other arts organizations, non-profits, and countless businesses.
Qualified Resident Artists are accepted at both one year residencies (with the option to re-apply for a second year) and short term residencies (min. of 2 weeks, max. of 3 months)
You get a little bit of everything in the clay world at Queen City Clay:
Paid teaching opportunities
Artistic growth
Professional development
Learning the business of clay through our retail shop and gallery spaces
The ability to audit classes and workshops
Access to a well equipped community clay studio as well as private studio space
$50 monthly material stipend
Materials and firing at cost
Long Term residents have a work exchange requirement and stipend, listed in the Benefits and Responsibilites below.
Short Term residents do not have a work exchange requirement or stipend, but can lease our fully equipped Short Term Studio at the rate listed below (scroll all the way down). Scholarships may be available based on financial need.
The Space
Our facility is a 50,000 square foot teaching studio, supply house, exhibition gallery, sales gallery, and workshop space. We are equipped with:
50 Brent wheels
Multiple hand-building stations
2 extruders
5 slab rollers
1 massive clay mixer, capable of mixing 300lbs
Soldner mixer
Multiple pugmills
22 house cone 10 glazes
10 house cone 6 glazes
7 Skutt 1227 electric kilns
1 36 cubic foot wood kiln
1 12 cubic foot wood/soda kiln
1 20 cubic foot outdoor soda kiln
2 outdoor raku kilns
A wood fired pizza oven
Space for pit firing
Qualifications
You must be a ceramic artist, working either functionally or sculpturally. The work may utilize other materials, but must be primarily ceramic.
Knowledgeable of the routine workings of a clay studio, ie. loading and firing kilns, clay and glaze mixing, and regular studio upkeep.
Able to work independently while taking advantage of the interactive ceramics community and available opportunities at QCC
Energetic, responsible, and willing to work efficiently during the scheduled weekly work hours in the studio outside of your personal work time
Must not be enrolled either full or part-time in school, residency or educational program
Must be at a level of accomplishment, commitment, and growth in one’s artistic endeavors
Committed to fulfill the entire timeline of your residency obligation
Responsibilities for long term residents
Continuous pursuit of creative work (min 20hrs/wk)
On average, 8hrs/wk of studio teaching/technical support, ie. studio upkeep, kiln loading and firing, maintenance of kilns and kiln shelves, record keeping, mixing glazes, gallery installation, mixing clay, workshop assistant, teaching assistant, and so forth
Active participation in the studio community
Requirement of teaching one class per session after the 2 month training period at the onset of your residency
Donation of one piece of your body of work to the QCC collection
Year long residencies have a 30 day trial period and review. After 6 months an evaluation meeting will be completed to continue with the remainder of the residency.
Benefits for Long Term Residents
24 hour access to the studio and facilities
Private studio space equipped with wood shelving, table, plaster wedging board, and a wheel if needed
Exhibition and sale space in the Gallery Shop
Paid additional teaching opportunities beyond the one required class per session
Immersion in a large creative community
Opportunity to attend all QCC workshops at no charge
20 percent discount on purchases
Clay at cost
$50 monthly stipend
Access to a fully stocked glaze kitchen
Nearby attractions include artists’ studios, Cincinnati Art Museum, Cincinnati Contemporary Art Center, Carnegie Visual and Performing Arts Center, Taft Museum of Art, Cincinnati Museum Center, and a large selection of local galleries and historic sites.
to apply
Long Term Residencies
Long term applicaiton deadline: April 15th
Long term Residency begins August 1st
Long term Residency applications should include:
Current resume
Artist statement
Artist bio
A statement regarding what you wish to gain from this residency position; which area you would like to concentrate in- studio, education, gallery, or retail- and why; what you will bring to this resident position, what your short term plans as an artist are.
Three references with contact information
10-15 digital images with a corresponding image list. Digital images should be in JPEG format, 72dpi, with each file labeled with last name, first inital, and numbers indicating your preferred viewing order (ex: doej1.jpg)
Documents should be in pdf or docx format. Put your name on the top of every document. Files should be labeled with last name, first initial, _type of document (ex: doej_resume.pdf). All documents should be put into a FOLDER titled with your FULL NAME. Upload your folder at the link below.
Email any questions to Jon Stein.
Short Term Residencies
Applications for short term are accepted on a rolling basis.
Short Term Residency Applications should include:
Current resume
A statement of intent detailing what you wish to accomplish while in residence. A suggested timeline (2 weeks to 3 months) with proposed dates.
Three references with contact information who can speak to your ability to work independently in a community studio setting
10 digital images with a corresponding image list. Digital images should be in JPEG format, 72dpi, with each file labeled with last name, first inital, and numbers indicating your preferred viewing order (ex: doej1.jpg)
Documents should be in pdf or docx format. Put your name on the top of every document. Files should be labeled with last name, first initial, _type of document (ex: doej_resume.pdf). All documents should be put into a FOLDER titled with your FULL NAME. Upload your folder at the link below.
***THE SHORT TERM RESIDENCY differs in that there is no work exchange requirement or material stipend. The Short Term studio is leased for $650/month to each artist or group in residence.***
If the residency fee is a hardship for the artist they may also submit a statement of financial need to be considered for a scholarship