SAAC
  • Home
    • More About SAAC
    • Board & Staff
    • Annual Report, Strategic Plan, and Public Disclosures
  • Calendar
  • Programs & Events
    • Art Education & Outreach
    • Creative Economy >
      • SAAC Artist Store
      • Spring Showcase
      • Starkville Sightings
    • Discretionary Grants & Awards
    • Fundraising >
      • Forks & Corks
      • "Arts & Eats" Cookbook >
        • Cookbook Products
    • Other Projects (Current & Past) >
      • Arts in Excellence Awards
      • Barn Quilt Trail
      • Join Hands
      • Music Trail
      • Untitled!
  • Blog & News
  • Donate & Help
  • Resources

Right in our backyard?

9/30/2017

Comments

 

John W. Bateman

Have you ever wondered what a residency program is? According to the Alliance of Artist Communities, there are more than 500 active residency programs in the United States alone. For more than a century, residencies have been an integral part of artist communities in the U.S., particularly as organizations like The MacDowell Colony and Yaddo Corporation helped lead the way and foster environments that, between just the 2 of them, has fueled Pulitzer Prizes, MacArthur Fellowships, a Nobel Prize, and a vast array of works, honors, and awards. Although those are two of the oldest programs in the country, they are far from the only ones.

Residencies can be quite extensive and significant, like the seven-month Fellowships at the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown, Massachusetts. Others can be short-term opportunities like two-week opportunities at the Vermont Studio Center, or the Yale Writers’ Conference every June. No residency is alike: some involve workshops and community service requirements, while others simply require artist focus and output. Some are funded, others aren’t. These different experiences offer a tremendous opportunity for emerging and established artists of all genre and media to build their craft and share it with the community.


Did you know there’s one down the road, right in our backyard at the Noxubee Wildlife Refuge?

The Artist-in-Residence at the Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge, created in 2013, was the first of its kind in the state. Artists who’ve participated in this 2-4 week program at the Refuge have included locals, as well as others from California, New York… even The Netherlands. Part of the draw for artists is the opportunity to learn about the wildlife and culture of Northeast Mississippi.

The benefit isn’t limited to the artist’s own curiosity. Lori Neuenfeldt, Gallery Director at Mississippi State University, seen the program shape the artist’s style and subject matter, such as
Caetlynn Booth, who continues to reference the cypress swamps in her paintings. Lori also relayed another benefit from exposure that the Noxubee Residency provides: “I’ve had artists comment on how much they love being here and how surprised they are. Some even mention how different Mississippi is from their preconceived ideas.” The impact extends beyond the artist’s individual experience, whether by their sharing of diverse stories and
culture that make up Mississippi’s gothic fabric, or carrying their experience back to their own communities.

In other words, the Noxubee Residency helps influence both art and the outside perception of life in Mississippi.


The Noxubee Refuge also benefits. Steve Reagan, Project Leader at the Noxubee Wildlife Refuge, describes how the Artist-in-Residence provides an alternative perspective on wildlife, the refuge, and the refuge system. Although staff approach their work from a scientific view, the artists approach the Refuge with an entirely different perspective and communicate that with the public in a very different way than trained scientists. He is amazed that, “although the artists connect the dots much differently, we end up at the same destination in regards to the importance and heart of the Refuge, its wildlife, and habitats.” With the help of artists, Steve notes “we can continue to show the public why wild spaces are an important part of our American heritage.”

“But how does the community benefit?”

It’s an important question, so I’m glad you asked! Residency programs create local access. It’s not simply about outside exposure or helping artists. For patrons and community members, particularly those unable to travel widely for the sake of art, the Noxubee Residency creates opportunities for the public to meet new artists, experience different works, and see perspectives they might not ever gain. For instance, the Noxubee Residency requires 2 public presentations by each resident artist.

Much of the programming for the Noxubee Program takes place on location at the Refuge. However, this October, SAAC, MSU, and Friends of the Noxubee Refuge are bringing the summer 2017 Artist-in-Residence to downtown Starkville.

Witness the influence of the Refuge and the residency on the arts community here. For free. On October 20, in the basement at 929 Coffee House in downtown Starkville at 6 p.m., Artist-in-Residence
Gillian J. Furniss will share about her work and experience at the Refuge. Her short presentation will be followed by a brief Q&A. Did I mention that the event is FREE?


Bring questions. Be curious.

Interested in the Artist-in-Residence program? Take a look here. Applications are accepted year round.
Comments
    Have a topic?
    Find a Call for Artists?
    Want to pitch a post?
    ​ Send us an email! 

    Archives

    March 2023
    January 2023
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    April 2017
    July 2016
    June 2015
    May 2015
    March 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    May 2014

    Categories

    All
    Blog
    Call For Artists
    Festival Circuit
    Letter To Legislators
    Press Release

    RSS Feed

Picture
Picture
122 E Main Street
Starkville, Mississippi 39759
arts@starkvillearts.org
director@starkvillearts.org
662.268.8374
Donate
SAAC is sustained by donors and sponsors. Donations amounts are flexible and can be recurring. Learn more by clicking the button above.
Picture
Our newsletter
Keep up with area arts news and events with our semi-monthly newsletter.
Click to Volunteer!
We need you - whether or not you're an artist! Our biggest 2 events (Art in the Park and Cotton District Arts Festival) require dozens of helping hands, so jump right in!
Picture
©2020 Starkville Area Arts Council. All Rights Reserved.
​#starkvillearts #starkvilleartscouncil #starkvilleareaartscouncil
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: SAAC is an equal opportunity organization. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, operation of programs, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for the public, all members of our staff, volunteers, vendors, and artist communities.
  • Home
    • More About SAAC
    • Board & Staff
    • Annual Report, Strategic Plan, and Public Disclosures
  • Calendar
  • Programs & Events
    • Art Education & Outreach
    • Creative Economy >
      • SAAC Artist Store
      • Spring Showcase
      • Starkville Sightings
    • Discretionary Grants & Awards
    • Fundraising >
      • Forks & Corks
      • "Arts & Eats" Cookbook >
        • Cookbook Products
    • Other Projects (Current & Past) >
      • Arts in Excellence Awards
      • Barn Quilt Trail
      • Join Hands
      • Music Trail
      • Untitled!
  • Blog & News
  • Donate & Help
  • Resources