Osage Arts Community

“The artist is nothing without the gift, but the gift is nothing without work.” – Emile Zola

 Application Process:

Osage Arts Community believes that our offer of admission is an award to you, the artist, so there is no residency fee charged.

Your submission will be reviewed by a panel representative of diverse artists and community members. They will select the resident from the applicant pool. All applications will be reviewed on the basis of: seriousness of purpose; harmony with OAC mission; creative use of the time, space and environment; and quality of proposal.

To being the process, please submit your application and residency contract for processing and review. And of course: Thank you for your submission and interest in OAC.

Applicants for the Osage Arts Community Visiting Artist Program must submit a written application and support materials. Residents are chosen by a selection committee of professionals in the arts. The major criteria for acceptance are the quality of work samples and an indication of serious commitment to one’s field of endeavor.

Because space allows for only a limited number of artists, all applications and support materials should be postmarked as soon as possible. We have no application deadlines, and applications are always considered on a space available basis.

OAC provides housing, studio space, Internet access, facilities, and program administration. With special request, OAC can provide limited transportation to and from the facility, although you will find having a car to be quite useful.

Artists must provide their own professional supplies. Artists are also responsible for participation in work exchange program, personal living expenses, health insurance, materials and supplies, telephone charges, and any other expenses relating to the cost of producing work artist-in-residence may incur while in the program. Travel and shipping expenses to and from OAC are also the responsibility of the artist.

No stipends or fellowships/awards are available.

 Residency Statistics

• Application Deadline: None
• Resident Season: Year-round
• Average length of residencies: 6 months
• Number of artists since 2004: 197
• Average number of artists present at one time: 8

Apply using the link below.  The following details will be required:

1. Uploaded copy of the completed Residency Contract  (link goes to google drive file) form.
2. Uploaded copy of the completed OAC Residency Application (link goes to google drive file) form.
3. Uploaded copy  of the completed Artists Handbook  (link goes to google drive file) form.
4. Uploaded copy of your professional resume/curriculum vitae.
5. Upload two professional and one personal written recommendations.
6. Provide a description of the work or project you wish to undertake while at OAC.
7. Upload or link a additional slides, manuscripts, or tapes if applicable.
8. Detailed requirements for working space, special needs, or materials.

APPLY HERE

 View the OAC Artist Handbook   (Link goes to google drive file).  Once you have been accepted and have been awarded space and time, a signed front page of the OAC Artist Handbook is required prior to arriving.  There are no exceptions to this requirement.

Additional Details:

OAC appeals specifically to those individuals who wish to take responsibility for themselves while they focus on their work and creative development. While at OAC, residents make up a small community, one that depends upon the respect and good intentions of all to make it work. Being able to work productively in an isolated, small town environment is essential.

Who Is Qualified?:

Emerging and advanced visual artists of all disciplines, as well as writers, and composers, are encouraged to apply for residency at Osage Arts Community. We also invite collaborative teams to apply. Bachelor’s Degree or applicable body of work and experience is required.  However, students without an existing Bachelor’s Degree are not eligible.

At this time, we do not accommodate for performance or production crafts due to the lack of facilities to accommodate these disciple.  

Our primary criteria is the quality of your body of work, your ability to be self directed in your work and located in an isolated rural environment.

Although preference is given to new applicants, we look forward to seeing artists at Osage on a regular basis as alumni! Feel free to update and resubmit your application for review.

 Facilities:

Studio 89: Located within throwing distance of the Gasconade River on the farm, this gorgeous space houses three artists at a time with a shared kitchen and facilities. Each artist has their own studio space.

The Residence: A two-person home on the farm, with a shared kitchen space for the Garage Studio space and studio next door, this gem is a spacious studio for visual artists with stunning natural light. In addition, the almost wrap around deck provides about 2000 sq ft of space for gatherings and celebrations by all residents.

The Garage Studio: A one-person home with private bath and large, air-conditioned, remodeled garage for studio space. Located next to the Residence on the farm.

The Art Center: Located in the heart of the small town of Belle Missouri and inside along with an art gallery, and a delightful studio with a private bath. The kitchen is shared.

Studio 100: This quaint house holds two artists and OAC’s ceramics studio, has a shared bath within, but artists walk across the street for a shared studio space and kitchen in the Art Center.

Studio 105: Located a few blocks off main street in Belle is this lovely, one-person house with all the accommodations and no sharing of facilities. A small second bedroom could be used for collaborative teams or families.

Studio 701 (the purple house): Just off Highway 28 is this two-person house. A large separate remodeled garage studio is for one of the artists, while the other has the large living room as studio space.

Studio 700: The backyards of this and the Purple House are shared, although each has its own kitchen and facilities. Two artists can stay in this space, with studio spaces in the finished attic and on the main floor.  The shared outdoor space is often a gathering place for in-town artists, communal garden area and maturing fruit trees.

 Studio requests will be considered but are not guaranteed.

Housing, Meals, Accessibility:

Staying in residence at OAC is free of charge – however a 10 hours of work exchange a week is required and is negotiated upon the first few weeks of your residency; spaces are all fully furnished and linens are provided. Laundry facilities are located at four of the residencies and shared by all residents. Spouses and significant others are welcome to visit, but not to stay for the duration of the residency, without special permission.  Pets are not allowed during your stay.

Artists are responsible for the preparation of their own meals and most food is provided for all meals. The pantry is stocked with groceries, basic staples, and seasonings for common use. Special food items can be purchased by the resident; the nearest convenience store / supermarket / pharmacy is 10 miles away. Community meals happen often!

Our facilities are located in a remote, rural area and the majority of the land which OAC has access to at the farm is accessible only through unpaved roads and dirt trails. Be aware that the terrain is rolling and sometimes rugged. Artists in wheelchairs or with vision-impairment cannot be accommodated at this time in selected spaces, however can be situated in some of the OAC owned properties in the town of Belle.