Maker in Residence Program
We’re seeking artists, makers, technicians, designers, and hobbyists of all types to apply for one of two four-week residencies in 2023!
What’s a “Maker in Residence?”
Do you make things for a living or for your personal satisfaction? The library’s Dabble Box makerspace is seeking artists, makers, technicians, designers, and hobbyists of all types to apply for one of two four-week residencies in 2023: June 5 to June 30, 2023; or November 6 to December 1, 2023. The goal of the residency is to create measurable change for people who may not have access to creative opportunities.
The Dabble Box is a space on level 0 of the downtown Eau Claire library where curious adults and young people ages eight to 17 can dabble in science, technology, engineering, art, and math activities. Younger kids are welcome with their responsible grown-up. It has equipment ranging from robots, to a sewing machine, to musical instruments
Through the support of the L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library Endowment Fund, selected Makers in Residence will receive a $750 stipend and supply reimbursement for up to $500. It’s also a unique opportunity to further your work in a public way. The Dabble Box encourages its Makers to embrace their creativity and think outside the box.
The “Maker in Residence” will:
• Teach three two-hour workshops, one of which must be for all ages.
• Hold regular in-studio hours during library open hours (four hours per week).
• Together with Dabble Box and library staff, work to ensure that materials used in both the Dabble Box and class hours are safe and appropriate.
The residency will culminate in one of the following options with the library’s mission, policies, and guidelines in mind:
• An option to exhibit work in the library.
• An option to initiate and collaborate on a Dabble Box community art project.
Current application deadline is March 31, 2023.
Any resulting artwork or product created by the Maker will become the property of the library. If the project is temporal in nature (i.e. a performance), the library will have the sole right to photograph or otherwise record the project. Following the public display, the library may decide to keep the finished project, return it to the maker, donate, or sell the work.
All Dates and Deadlines
• Application Deadline: March 31, 2023 at 11:59 p.m.
• June Residency Dates: June 5 to June 30, 2023.
• November Residency Dates: Nov. 6 to Dec. 1, 2023.
Required Materials
Email all required materials as a single pdf attachment to makerinresidence@eauclaire.lib.wi.us. If providing samples of your work necessitates video or audio clips, please include links to those samples on YouTube within that section of your pdf application.
Application Materials Checklist
Section I. Letter of interest addressing the following (maximum one page).
• What about this residency appeals to you, and how would you use this residency?
• What is the skill/knowledge/ability you’d like to share in the Dabble Box?
• What is it that you make?
• What medium do you envision yourself using in your personal practice at the library?
• Please describe the project you would like to work on during open lab hours in the Dabble Box.
• What are the tools, supplies, or equipment you would need to complete this project?
• Are there things you know you will have to learn to complete this project?
• What could Dabble Box staff do to help you learn these skills?
• What kind of workshops could you offer related to this project?
• The Dabbler in Residence requires three two-hour workshops, as well as four hours of personal practice in the Dabble Box weekly. Would you be able to commit to this schedule for your residency?
• Do you have experience teaching or leading workshops? Please explain.
• Would you be comfortable working with (choose all that apply)?
• Children (ages 12 and below)
• Teens (ages 12–19)
• Adults (ages 18+)
• Which residency do you prefer? June, November, or no preference?
Section II. Résume/CV with contact information.
Section III. 3–5 images of work (300dpi; 1200 x 800 pixels).
Section IV. Professional References.
• Include the following information about two professional references:
• Full name.
• Institution/company/organization.
• Position Title.
• Direct Phone number.
• Email
• Relationship to you.
• Number of years you have known the reference.
For questions or to submit all required materials in a single pdf document, please email makerinresidence@eauclaire.lib.wi.us.
We thank you and look forward to reviewing your application!
Not eligible: Employees of the L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library, members of their households,
and members of the L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library Board of Directors.
