Encore! Mt Morris

Artist-in-Residence Application Form Link

Artist-in-Residence Questions

Artist-in-Residence Application: Deadline April 8, 2017

Thank you for your interest in applying for Encore! Mt. Morris’ first artist-in-residence program. This document will provide you with basic information about our region, the Encore! Mt. Morris organization, the residency program itself and the application.

Description of Mt. Morris and the Region
Mt. Morris is a rural community (~3000) in northern Illinois, two hours west of Chicago and five miles west of Oregon, the Ogle County seat. For over 100 years, our community was best known for education (Mt. Morris College and excellent schools), printing (Kable Printing Co), publishing (Kable News, Watt Publishing) and agriculture. In recent years, the digital and global commerce world has fueled company mergers and big changes in the printing and publishing world. As a result, Mt. Morris is in the position of re-defining itself for the future. The historic college campus and uptown, summer concerts, the Let Freedom Ring festival, and community pride, as well as the area’s state parks and the Rock River still exist to build upon! See photos and more information at http://www.mtmorrisil.net and https://www.facebook.com/MMCommunityEvents

Encore! Mt. Morris
In the spring of 2016, the Mt. Morris Economic Development Group (EDG) hosted 80 area residents and experts for a 3-day retreat to establish a plan for building on Mt. Morris’ strengths and assets to spur new economic development through the arts. The vision of Encore! Mt. Morris was born; six committees with specific goals were formed. Since that time, the committees have worked hard to create the Old Sandstone Gallery and host several shows, evaluate uptown and campus properties for potential businesses or art venues, begin fundraising efforts, and put plans in motion for upcoming festivals, gallery shows, art classes, and this new artist-in-residence program. Mt. Morris is on its way to being an arts destination!

ENCORE! Mt. Morris will focus on the ENCORE! vision to create a destination for the arts, education, creativity, innovation and a vibrant business community, building on our heritage and existing strengths, pursuing sustainable and scalable goals, supporting current and new businesses and inspiring the greater community to participate.

Artist-in-Residence Program 2017

Focus
Encore! Mt. Morris is seeking artists with a particular interest in community-based artwork (broadly defined) for the Artist-in-Residence program. Specifically, the program will give preference to artists with an interest in:

• Integrating your community development ideas through the arts with Encore’s vision and goals.
• Researching a regional community of artists to partner with Encore.
• Designing art experiences for all ages, including younger citizens and families, the retired and all ages in between.
• Contributing to arts-oriented community festivals, events and public art initiatives already on the summer Encore schedule.
• Strengthening the “Color Me a Memory” initiative or other arts activities at Pinecrest Community.
• Assisting Encore’s Steering Committee in structuring future artist-in-residence opportunities.

• Demonstrated interest in the visual arts and art education.
• Ability to work collaboratively and independently.
• Strong organizational skills, reliability and punctuality.
• Completion of at least 2 years of undergraduate study or professional experience as an artist.

• Demonstrated interest in community development, organizational development or long-range planning.
• Demonstrated additional interests in the performing arts or culinary arts.
• Experience in digital marketing.

Artist-in-Residence Application Form Link

Artist-in-Residence Questions