Artist in residence (AIR) Program

Sequoia Ascension’s Artist In Residence Program (AIR) awards artist & cultural bearers one year of completely subsidized housing and resources for artistic development. Premodern colonization and current-day gentrification continues to displace Black and/or Native peoples. Artists and culture bearers (especially full-time gig workers) are among the most vulnerable and impacted. We believe secure housing and resources are crucial to the interpersonal, economic, and artistic development of Black and Native artists. AIR intends to nurture artists and provide them with an opportunity to create and surve in thriving-mode as opposed to survival-mode. 

We are launching this pilot program in 2023 in which we’ll support a cohort of two artists. The artist residency will culminate in an annual Indigenous Peoples Day celebration (IPDC) in which the resident artist will have the opportunity to share their program developments with our community. The ARP is a 12 month program. Over the course of the residency, the chosen artist will receive 12 months of subsidized housing at Sequoia Ascension, Access to Artistic resources (Microphones, Speakers, Camcorders, Yoga Matts, etc). Artistic Development Sessions (101 and community learning sessions). 

Please thoroughly read through the program eligibility and requirements. If you have any questions or concerns please contact sequoiaascension@gmail.com. 

Eligibility: 

  • Identify as Black, Native American, and/or Afro-Native 

  • Based in Georgia 

  • Be an emerging or mid-career artist/culture bearer

Resident Artist Contribution (Requirements):

  • Primary residential occupancy at Sequoia Ascension over 12 month program period  

  • Attend all 6 Artistic Development Sessions (schedule tbd with chosen resident artist) 

  • Offer 3 classes/sessions to the Sequoia Ascension Community (schedule tbd with chosen resident artist) 

  • 12 Community Service Hours at Alternate Roots

Application Process:

  • October 2022

    • Applications Open 10/10

  • November 2022

    • Application closes 11/25 at 11:59PM

    • Finalist notified 12/01 

  • December 2022 

    • Orientation

    • Artist agreements  

  • January 2023

    • Residency Begins 

  • January 2024 

    • AIR 2023 cohort ends