2027 Artist-in-Residence Program
The Textile Arts Center of Madison (TAC) is pleased to announce the second cycle of its Artist-in-Residence (AIR) program. Applications open Monday, August 17 for Wisconsin based BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color*) and/or queer artists working with fiber.
Through this residency, TAC aims to actively foster a culture and community of inclusion that promotes, respects, and celebrates diversity. The residency will support an emerging artist with a well-funded opportunity for studio practice and meaningful community engagement. Read the full opportunity description below.
The TAC Artist-in-Residence program has been made possible through grants from Ruth Foundation for the Arts and the Endres Manufacturing Company Foundation.
About the Textile Arts Center of Madison
The Textile Arts Center of Madison (TAC) is a vibrant creative hub for fiber art, offering hands-on learning, collaboration, and inspiration in an inclusive environment through workshops, exhibitions of fiber art, on- and off-site free community programs, and sales of secondhand supplies. Programming engages fiber art makers and enthusiasts of all ages, backgrounds, and skill levels, and aims to foster a sense of belonging among its audiences as they explore new techniques, connect with others, and grow creatively.
About the Artist-in-Residence Program
Building on the success of its inaugural residency, TAC's Artist-in-Residence (AIR) program provides a nurturing environment for artists who are dedicated to advancing their creative practice while engaging meaningfully with the community.
The residency includes dedicated studio time, community outreach, and interaction with fellow makers at TAC, culminating in an exhibition, public presentation, or special event. During the 2027 residency cycle, TAC will select two artists from the submitted applications.
The selected artist will receive a $10,000 stipend, dedicated private studio space, access to TAC's equipment and tools, and funding to support community engagement activities. To accommodate a range of artistic practices and schedules, the residency offers a flexible timeline, typically lasting four to six months, with three-month residencies considered on a case-by-case basis. Artists will be expected to commit a minimum of 8-16 hours per week to the residency, depending on residency length. It is anticipated that the artist will devote approximately half of that time to their own work research, development, and creation, and the other half to community engagement activities.
Engagement activities might include connecting with community partners, planning programs, and leading interactive activities on-site at TAC and/or out in the community. The artist will present at least three community programs during their residency, at least one of which will be open to the public. Beyond this commitment, the artist will also have the opportunity to propose workshops to be taught at TAC for which additional compensation would be provided.
Program Goals
Welcome underrepresented artists, calling specifically for applications from emerging Wisconsin-based BIPOC and/or queer artists working with fiber.
Support resident artist’s studio practice and creative growth.
Showcase fresh, innovative approaches to fiber art materials and techniques that excite and inspire audiences.
Provide a platform for selected artist to initiate and direct art-based community engagement focused on reaching underrepresented audiences and amplifying underheard voices.
Engage broad audiences with accessible opportunities to engage with resident artist and with fiber art.
Provide meaningful compensation to an artist that is aligned with the value of their contribution to TAC and the community.
Timeline
August 17, 2026: Applications open
September 28, 2026: Application deadline
October 5 – October 30, 2026: Jury review
Week of November 2, 2026: Finalists notified and interviews/studio visits scheduled. Finalists will share a more detailed proposal and project timeline. * See below for more information
Week of November 23, 2026: 2027 Artist-in-Residence announced
January – December 2027: Residency period (12 - 24 weeks residency). The selected artists must be able to commit a minimum of 8-16 hours per week to the residency.
Review Process and Notification of Selection
The selection process takes place with the help of a jury of three community members and one TAC staff member. Community jurors for the AIR cycle are:
Dakota Mace (Diné), is an interdisciplinary artist who focuses on translating the language of Diné history and beliefs. Mace received her MA and MFA degrees in Photography and Textile Design at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and her BFA in Photography from the Institute of American Indian Arts. As a Diné (Navajo) artist, her work draws from the history of her Diné heritage, exploring the themes of family lineage, community, and identity. In addition, her work pushes the viewer's understanding of Diné culture through alternative photography techniques, weaving, beadwork, and papermaking.
She has also worked with numerous institutions and programs to develop dialogue on cultural appropriation and the importance of Indigenous design work. She is the photographer for the Helen Louise Allen Textile Center and the Center of Design and Material Culture. Mace was the 2026 Artist-in-Residence at the Textile Arts Center of Madison.
Her work is in the collections of the Library of Congress, Forge Project Collection, Whitney Museum of American Art, Everson Museum of Art, Amon Carter Museum, National Gallery of Art, Museum of Contemporary Photography among other public collections.
Henry Obeng is a professional photographer and visual artist whose work combines documentary sensitivity with conceptual storytelling. Trained at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, he brings a material-driven approach to photography that emphasizes authenticity, cultural context, and narrative depth. His work has been exhibited internationally and commissioned by academic and cultural institutions. Obeng collaborates with artists, organizations, and communities to create visually compelling, research-informed imagery.
Rae Senarighi / Transpainter (he/him) is your average non-binary cancer survivor inspiring self-compassion, activism and gender resilience via unapologetic portraiture of vibrant transgender and non-binary power. Rae is on a mission to spread self-acceptance and love, evident in his portraiture, typography and speaking engagements. As creator of the “You Are Loved” campaign, Rae’s message of compassion has found a home on billboards in thousands of locations across the U.S. and Canada and flags and merch across the world. He’s partnered with the likes of Schwinn, Nike and the Portland Trailblazers, GLAAD and Netflix.
Our jury will prioritize:
Artists who reflect the diversity of Wisconsin’s BIPOC and queer communities.
Creative risk-takers whose work showcases fresh, innovative approaches to fiber art materials and techniques.
Artists interested in engaging community members and developing community partnerships as a core component of their vision.
All notifications and communications will be sent via email. Finalists will be contacted to schedule an in-person or virtual meeting and studio visit.
Compensation
For the duration of the residency, the Artist in Residence will be compensated with:
A monthly stipend determined by the duration of the residency ($2500/mo for 4 months and $2000/mo for 5 months) totaling $10,000.
A private studio space at TAC (with daily access).
Access to the open studio space at TAC, including all equipment, tools, and supplies.
A budget to purchase residency-related supplies.
Access to other TAC resources, expertise, and infrastructure.
Possible additional paid contracts for workshops taught at TAC.
Application Requirements
Your application will be submitted online using TAC’s Airtable form. Submission link below.
1. Artist Information
2. Artist Residency Materials
Tell us about yourself as an artist. Share your artist statement and/or tell us about how your personal identities and/or experiences inform your work. – 300 word maximum
Tell us about your goals. What are the goals or intentions you have set for your art practice, and how might a residency at TAC align with those goals? – 300 word maximum
Tell us about what you’ll do. Describe your project and/or vision of completing a residency at TAC. – 300 word maximum
Tell us about who you’ll engage and how. What communities or individuals will you engage with through the residency? How will your project engage these groups? What will they do with you? – 300 word maximum
Tell us about any prior engagement work you’ve done. What types of community programming have you facilitated or been involved with in the past? Where? And, for what age groups? – 300 word maximum
As part of the residency, artists will create a self-guided community engagement project in TAC's entryway that invites visitor participation throughout the residency. Describe your proposed project, including how visitors will interact with it independently and how it connects to your artistic practice, residency project, or the community you hope to engage. -300 words maximum
3. Uploads
Share 10-15 still images or videos of your work.
Share up to 10 still images or videos that illustrate your community engagement work (optional).
Share your resume, CV, or personal slide deck (optional).
* Finalists will be asked to provide a more detailed project proposal, timeline of planned activities, and budget to discuss during the in-person interview process
Questions?
Please contact Heather Kohlmeier, Textile Arts Center Artistic Director, via email at heather@textileartsmadison.org
APPLICATION LINK
*This application uses the term BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color). We recognize that language is fluid, and the intersectional justice movement redefines terminology regularly. BIPOC includes, but is not limited to:
ALAANA (also ALANA) - African, Latinx, Asian, Arab, and Native American
AAPI – Asian American and Pacific Islander
Latino/a (also Hispanic) as well as Latine/x and Afro-Latino/a
Native American (Tribal and Urban) as well as Alaska Native, American Indians, Indigenous
MENA – Middle East and North African