About:

The Art in the Libraries Program at WVU Libraries, will expand the connections between the West Virginia & Regional History Center’s (WVRHC) West Virginia Feminist Activist Collection (FAC) and the public. This collaborative pilot residency program aims to expand the use of and build upon the archival collection by offering awards to support projects that use the collection in new and creative ways. 

The WV FAIR Program supports artists in the creation of artists' works, small exhibitions, publications, or other creations that imaginatively study, experiment with, and/or build upon the collection materials.  

The program is open to all artists, with a preference for WVU alumni, including visual artists, conceptual artists, dancers, writers, and cultural heritage practitioners, including curators.  Applicants whose proposals uncover hidden stories, and new voices will receive strong consideration. At this time, the residency is only open to residents of the U.S.A.

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Program Goals:  

• To engage creatives with the archival materials within the WVRHC’s West Virginia Feminist Activist Collection. 

• To support a contemporary artist with an honorarium, travel, and experience. 

• To engage with WVU students, faculty, staff, and broader community through creative programming. 

• To promote and build upon the FAC: 

• Enhancing public understanding and engagement with the WVRHC and the WVU Libraries, in the spirit of our land grant mission 

• Enrich teaching, learning and research both within WVU as well as in the broader state, regional, national, and international communities 

• Expanding the size, scope, and representation of the West Virginia Feminist Activist Collection 

• To promote and build upon Art in the Libraries: 

• Promoting discovery, innovation, and sustainability through art 

• Modeling diversity and inclusion in artistic endeavors 

• Demonstrating the collaborative power of art, libraries, students, and scholars in fostering community exploration, reflection, and discussion within WVU Libraries 

Timeline: 

• November 1, 2024: Application opens 

• November 30, 2024: Application deadline 

• December 1-7: Applications reviewed 

• December 7-30: Applicants notified, winner signs contract, funds for materials. 

• January: Travel plans coordinated with Art in the Libraries and the WVRHC with administrative assistance  

• February: Funds delivered to artist for materials purchasing 

• March 24-28, 2025: Residency: 2 days minimum exploring archives.  Promotion coordinated by WVU Libraries. Last day shall include the awardee’s presentation of their project with public program. 

• Honorarium and Reimbursement Funds awarded after residency 

Guidelines for Artist in Residence: 

• Commit to AIR for five working days. 

• Spend at least 2 days in the West Virginia & Regional History Center examining the Feminist Activist Collection. 

• Expect to follow all guidelines and procedures for researchers using the WVRHC collections and open hours. 

• Create a work in response to your research in FAC. Examples include but are not limited to: an exhibit with archival materials in cases1 and/or reproductions, create an artwork(s) inspired by/collaging reproductions in a unique way, write a publication about the collection or another experimental creation by that Friday (see more examples below) using designated workspace. 

• Present to the community that Friday about your process, creation and intention (20 minutes). 

• Attend a lunch and/or dinner with Feminist Activist Collection committee donors. 

Selected as Artist in Residence will be asked to provide: 

• Digital copies of select works to be used when promoting WV FAIR events 

• Links to any websites or social media pages they use for promoting their work, so that the library can tag posts and event co-hosts 

• Description of their project and assistance with marketing events 

• A W-9 form for tax purposes 

• Ownership of the completed final artwork or project will be with the artist. 

• Signed Contract. 

 

Funding: 

• $1,000 for art and/or exhibit materials and supplies awarded upon contract agreement.  

• Up to $3,500 for transportation, lodging and per diem meal expenses in reimbursements.  

• $1,000 honoraria for participating artist after completion of program. 

Application Process: 

The WV FAIR program is open to all artists, curators and creators, 18 and older, based in the United States.  WVU alumni and underrepresented artists are especially encouraged to apply.  Artists may work in 2D or 3D medium such as painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, collage, digital art, book arts, ceramics, fabric, or fiber arts, etc. Mixed media and interdisciplinary artists as well as curators are welcome to apply! 

Please submit the following to Sally Brown, sally.brown1@mail.wvu.edu by November 30, 2024: 

• A statement of interest in the program that includes a description of the proposed project, which archival collections within the Feminist Activist Collections propose to conduct research in to support the project, and a description of the public program idea. Additionally, describe how this Artist in Residency program would contribute to your development as an artist   (500 words) (Applicants are strongly encouraged to reach out to WVRHC Director Lori Hostuttler ( lori.hostuttler@mail.wvu.edu with questions about the collections.)  

• An estimated timeline and budget estimates for supplies and materials considering an up to $1,000 supply allowance (understanding project may change during residency) (up to 500 words) 

• An Artists’ Statement (200 words) 

• 2 page resume or curriculum vitae 

• Representative samples of  work in the form of digital photos (5-10 .jpgs 300dpi or larger) or links to work 

• Email as 1 .pdf with subheadings to sally.brown1@mail.wvu.edu 

 

 
Exhibit space:  

The space for the artwork or exhibit for this project will be the WVU Downtown Library Atrium. The Atrium is a central location to the main campus library featuring large glass ceilings. There are optional limited glass display cases, walls and windows to display 2-d artwork and easels available as well.   

Selection Criteria: 

Artist in Residence applicants will be juried by the WVU Art in the Libraries Committee in collaboration with the West Virginia & Regional History Center archivists. 

• Readiness to engage with and benefit from the residency experience 

• Artistic integrity of Work Submitted: aesthetic quality, creativity, and originality, including inventiveness, experimentation, conceptual ideas, evidence of thinking, decision-making, and personal expression. The quality of artistic composition and overall design of sample work reflects technical skills, mastery of media, understanding of design elements and principles, and compositional skills. The overall impression of the artwork considers whether it stands on its own as a complete and outstanding work of art, especially as it will be displayed individually in Libraries. The plan for the display addresses the feasibility of secure and effective presentation in DCL. Finally, the artist's organization and professionalism are essential factors in evaluating the artwork. 

• Artist experience (exhibitions, residencies, publications, presentations, performances, etc.) 

• Materials requests align with space use/funds available 

• Alignment with Program Goals 

• Relevance to Feminist Activist Collection 

For questions about this project, please contact Art in the Libraries’ Curator, Sally Brown, sally.brown1@mail.wvu.edu. 

Examples: 

Artists can find inspiration in archival collections, using historical documents, photographs, objects, and other materials to create works that reflect on or reinterpret the past. Here are some examples of what an artist might create: 

• Mixed Media Collages: Combining photocopies or digital prints of archival photographs, documents, and other ephemera with contemporary materials to create visually rich collages that juxtapose past and present. 

•  Historical Paintings or Drawings: Recreating scenes, people, or events from the past based on archival photographs or descriptions, providing a new interpretation or contemporary perspective on historical moments.  

• Photographic Series: Developing a series of photographs that respond to archival images, either by recreating them in contemporary settings or by drawing thematic connections between past and present. 

• Performance Art: Designing performances that are informed by historical events, documents, or personal stories found in archives, often blending historical reenactment with modern commentary.  

• Video Art: Producing video pieces that incorporate archival footage, interviews, and other historical materials, sometimes combining them with contemporary footage to explore historical continuity and change. 

• Textile Art: Creating quilts, tapestries, or other textile pieces that use patterns, images, or texts from archival sources, often to tell stories or highlight historical themes. 

• Digital Art: Developing digital artworks or interactive experiences that use archival data or imagery, allowing audiences to explore history in new and engaging ways. 

• Books or Zines:   Producing artist books or zines that compile and reinterpret archival materials, often including visual art, poetry, and personal reflections. 

• Reconstructed Letters: An artist might create a series of artworks based on letters from an archival collection, using these letters as a base to explore activist themes. 

• Memory Maps: Inspired by old maps, an artist could create a series of contemporary maps that overlay historical data with modern geographic information, exploring changes in the landscape and society. 

• Music or dance performances: In developing a musical or dance performance, artists might start by exploring rare books, letters, or diaries that reveal personal narratives and cultural histories. Music scores and recordings within the library can provide both inspiration and material for original compositions or choreographic pieces. Historical documents and archives offer a wealth of visual and contextual details that can enrich the narrative and aesthetic elements of the performance.