Post-Baccalaureate Resident Artist Program

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Mission

At the University of Arkansas, we understand the post-baccalaureate as someone moving through a transitional stage toward a pre-determined goal. For many this goal is admission into a top-tier graduate program, for others it may be the development of a body of work that launches a professional studio practice. The goals are varied, but whatever they may be, post-bac residents at the University of Arkansas are given the time and resources to ensure their goals can be met.

 

Program

Our program can accommodate residents for 1 or 2 years. Post-bacs work side by side with graduate students in our ceramics seminar course. The topics of this course vary from semester to semester, but it always give residents ample opportunity for critical feedback, theoretical development, and professional practice. Many also take advantage of opportunities to attend advanced undergraduate and technical ceramics courses, which are available to our post-bacs at no additional cost. Furthermore, there are opportunities each semester for one-on-one guidance from the ceramics faculty. A requirement of the program is to present a new body of work at the end of each semester, for review by your peers and the ceramics faculty as a whole. At the conclusion of the first academic year, residents who wish to continue for a second year must demonstrate through their portfolio that sufficient progress has been made in the preceding semesters. Total cost for the program is 950 dollars per semester. Images from current post-bacs can be seen here.

 

Studio Space

Our post-bacs occupy a generous group studio space adjacent to the graduate and BFA studios. The space is 650 square feet and is typically divided among four residents. Each post-bac has a dedicated table, shelving, ware cart, sculpture stand, and potter’s wheel (if needed). Residents collectively decide on the division and origination of their studio according to the needs of the group. There is easy access to kilns, mixers, raw materials, and all other studio equipment. Our studio is among the finest you will find at any university in North America.

 

Community

We expect our post-bac residents to be studio leaders, demonstrating a high level of commitment to their own work and also to the betterment of the studio as a whole. Active membership in our ceramics club (the Association of Ceramic Enthusiasts) is an important part of the post-bac experience, helping to place each post-bac at the center of the ceramics community. ACE organizes multiple events each year to help raise funds for visiting artists, offset costs for students who wish to attend the annual NCECA conference, and to help contribute to studio improvements. We also expect that each resident contribute 2-3 hours each week to the operation of the studio. This could mean managing kiln meetings, overseeing our critique space, loading kilns, or other tasks that help the studio run effectively.

 

How to Apply

Application materials must be submitted by April 15th and applicants will be notified by email no later than May 1st. We welcome interested students to visit the department firsthand or to speak with faculty about their interest in the program before applying. For more information please email Mathew McConnell at msmcconn@uark.edu.

The following materials will be required for applying:

  • A short letter stating your interest in the program and the immediate goals you wish to pursue

  • Ten images of your work

  • One-page artist statement

  • Resume

  • Two names of professional references

Applications will be accepted via Slideroom beginning on April 1st.