Herrick District Library is looking for West Michigan creatives for our new Maker-in-Residence program. We want to help artists, makers, and writers of all kinds share their expertise with the HDL community. Whether you’re a recording artist, a sculptor, a poet, or a DIY extraordinaire – the Maker-in-Residence program wants to help you reach new audiences and teach others about the thing you do.
The HDL Maker-in Residence program is an eight-week residency that includes drop-in studio time in Groundworks, hands-on workshops, and a stipend of $1,000 to help you keep making that thing you love!
Future Makers Will
- Deliver a minimum of 18 hours of publicly-visible work during drop-in sessions at HDL’s Groundworks location. These workshops will be scheduled with the Groundworks staff, and will not exceed an 8-week timeframe.
- Design an interactive element for drop-in sessions to engage the public, such as materials exploration, hands-on activities, or conversation prompts about the medium, etc...
- Provide positive engagement with a wide range of community members including children, teens, families, and older adults during drop-in sessions.
- Teach at least one public workshop about their craft to members of the HDL community (alongside library staff). Workshop(s) will not exceed 3 hours of the 18-hour minimum residency. Workshops can have a specific targeted age range.
- Collaborate with Groundworks staff to develop any handouts, table guides, or workshop plans.
- Arrive on time, consistently prepared to engage with the public at the previously agreed-upon times for drop-in sessions and workshops.
- Live within the West Michigan area and be responsible for all of their own travel costs to and from Herrick District Library’s Groundworks.
- Ensure that all information (maker bio, photo, W9, and background check form) are submitted PRIOR to the first scheduled drop-in session or workshop.
- Receive a stipend of $1000 upon the completion of their 8-week residency.
- Be allotted $150 for materials and supplies for the workshop(s) and hands-on activities during drop-in sessions. Materials and supplies for the Maker-in-Residence's own projects are their own responsibility.
Application Process
All interested potential Makers should apply online.
The application will ask for:
- Details about your artistry. (What is it? How do you do it? What is your experience with that particular medium?)
- What would you plan to work on during drop-in sessions?
- What hands-on/interactive elements would you propose to offer during drop-in sessions?
- Any ideas for public workshops you would like to present.
- A link to approximately five examples of your work (this can be as simple as photos).
- Details about any experience you might have informally teaching others or working with people.
- Permission to use photos and descriptions of you and your work on our website and in advertising for the HDL Maker-in-Residence program.
We will be interviewing and selecting candidates based on a set schedule. Applications will be open between:
- Dec 30 – Jan 31 for the Summer (June, July, August) and Fall (Sept, Oct, Nov) sessions.
Still have questions? Talk to Groundworks staff at the Main Library or email us at groundworks@herrickdl.org.
