UMS Accepting Applications for 2017-18 Artists in Residence Program

The University Musical Society (UMS) announces the fourth consecutive season of the UMS Artists in Residence Program, whereby five artists (including visual, literary, and performing artists) will be selected to take "residence" at UMS performances, using these experiences as a resource to support the creation of new work or to fuel an artistic journey.

Residents will receive complimentary tickets to select UMS performances; a $500 stipend; gatherings with fellow residents and visiting artists; and behind-the-scenes access to UMS staff and artists, when available. In return, UMS asks that artists share their artistic journeys via residency entrance and exit interviews and social media, submit two short posts on UMS's blog (ums.org/blog ), and participate in select UMS education & community engagement events for the University of Michigan and the community at large. When possible, UMS Artists in Residence will also have opportunities to share artistic work generated during the residency with UMS audiences. Rights to all artistic work produced as a result of the residency will remain entirely with the artists.

"At UMS, we feel a profound sense of responsibility to support artistic endeavors in our region's creative community so we ensure that Southeast Michigan continues to be a place where artists thrive," said UMS president Matthew VanBesien. "Artists have the unique ability to create shared experiences, drawing people together from all walks of life and challenging us to explore how we are all interconnected, regardless of our vastly different perspectives. By providing access to resources that fuel and inform these projects, UMS fosters a community where artists continue to live, work, and inspire."

The previous three seasons of UMS Artists in Residence have benefited from the program's ability to connect them with other area art-makers and with UMS artists working on an international scale. As author and 2016-17 resident Qiana Towns stated, "The performances I attended as an artist in residence were a reminder that art does not need permission to exist and to affect lives. Each of the performances were bold and brave and imaginative. They will be forever in the forefront of my mind each time I go to the page to craft new work." To learn more about the previous artists in residence and how the program impacted their work, visit ums.org/blog.

APPLICATION DETAILS
Applicants should be at least 22 years of age and should be local enough to attend 2-3 performances of their choosing from the 2017-18 UMS Renegade Series, plus two required "No Safety Net" theater events for all Artists in Residence to attend together during January and early February. Artists in Residence will also be required to attend 2-3 related gatherings from January - April 2018. Applicants will be asked to provide a statement of intent, a 1-2 page CV, and a portfolio using the UMS Artists in Residence application form and guidelines at ums.org/artistsinresidence.

Application period: Tuesday, September 12 - Friday, October 13
Application form at: ums.org/artistsinresidence.