Innovation Roadmap: Artist Residency in the Library
Image from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VvOGviPic8
What’s the Idea?
An artist residency program is an opportunity for libraries to create partnerships with local artists. In this program, the library will host artists to take over a space where they can focus on their craft. The result is a newly created artistic space that invites interaction and curiosity with the public. A residency can last from a few months to a full year. Artists will work with library staff to co-design a schedule that best showcases the artist’s work as well as create opportunities for them to collaborate and share with the community.
The goals of the program include:
- Opportunity for the community to explore unique mediums and disciplines
- Offering an open space for the public to learn, create, and share
- Providing professional development and support for current and interested artists
- Increasing the visibility of local artists by connecting those artists to the community
- Hands on learning through collaborative art making
Who are we helping?
The intention is to foster connection within the community. By centering the program on co-creation and collaborative opportunities, the program will connect with:
local artists, library branches interested in expanding their art programming, county residents of all ages, current artists, and those in the public already fascinated or curious with art and design.
The LA County Library system can benefit from having a long running program like this. When it comes to art programming, this library system has implemented larger events such as their Civic Art Passport for 2025 during their Arts Month and partnered exhibits that lasted multiple weeks.
Mission and Institutional Context
LA County Library Mission and Values
LA County Library Four Strategic Priorities
- Belonging to our Communities
- Advancing our Partnerships
- Rising to our Potential
- Telling our Story
Action Brief Statement
For the residents of the LA County Library system:
Convince LA County Library users that by participating in the new artist residency program within the LA County Library system they will gain unique opportunities to explore different art mediums and disciplines with local artists which will give them the chance to freely learn, create, and share within a collaborative space because our library values strengthening the relationships of the community through creative programming.
Inspiration
Image from https://www.madisonbubbler.org/about
- The Bubbler at Madison Public Library and its Artist-in-Residence Program
- library@orchard’s Resident Programs
- Los Angeles Public Library Creators in Residence
How will this work?
The Selection Process
Artists interested in joining the program will apply online. They must ensure that they can meet all the minimal requirements:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Participate in interviews and promotion for the program
- Be able to commit six months working on the artist residency
- The final project should be a physical or digital object that can be displayed in the library collection
Any additional requirements that may be necessary can be discussed among library staff members within the selected library branches.
The Workshop Space
Image from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VvOGviPic8
Artists are allowed to transform the workshop space into their own workspace. They are encouraged to bring in their needed tools, machines, and materials. Funding from partnerships will allow artists a budget to spend on needed materials to aid in the culminating collaborative project.
The Artist Residency
The residency itself will vary each session as the artist has a lot of influence in how they want to go about the program. Within the expectation of the program, it is important that there are some kinds of events taking place where the artist is able to share, create, or collaborate with the community. This can be done through mini-exhibits, activities, workshops, or panels. The other essential expectation of the program is that there is some kind of end project that can be displayed at the end of the residency and shared with the community.
Other than those two main features, artists are given the freedom to tackle the program however best serves them. Library staff will be collaborating throughout the program for any needed input or suggestions.
The Culminating Project
The ending project is a collaboration piece of some kind done with the library and its patrons. Depending on the time of the year the program takes place, each session can have a new theme that changes the overall story of the final project.
Policies
Partnerships with the LA County Department of Arts and Culture, the Los Angeles Public Library, and the LA County Library Foundation can help in the creation of clear policies for this new program. These organizations have past experiences with similar artist residency programs within the Los Angeles area and can provide valuable information toward the management and execution of this pilot program.
Timeline for Implementation
Marketing Goals
Image from https://www.instagram.com/p/C2OBJCBPLHc/
Share news and updates on the Artist Residency through existing social media pages, the main library website, and monthly city newsletters.
Encourage library staff to promote the Artist Residency during other programs, interactions, or events centered around art, design, and artists. Use word of mouth to bring in potential artists interested in signing up for the residency.
Promote the program throughout all LA County Library branches to find potential locations and staff interested in the program. Some staff may have backgrounds or interest in the arts and may want to contribute to the program (even if their branch is not participating). Organizations partnering with the new program can also help market through the sharing created digital flyers and online posts.
Staff Training and Readiness
Staff working alongside the artists within the pilot library branches will be trained in the management of the program space and on best practices for collaborating with the artists. It is essential that all levels of staff within the working branch are trained on the program itself and collaborating with the host artists. The chosen artists are selected to co-create with the selected library – not just the few staff members supporting them.
All library staff within the LA County library system will be guided to general information regarding the artist residency program to better promote it and answer any questions.
Evaluation and Future Expansion
Image from https://ipaintmymind.org/blog/library-art-programs-engage-community/
Evaluation and data collection will mainly happen during the artist’s residency itself. Participant observations during activities and interviews will make up most of the data collection. There can also be a focus on short post surveys for participants of any workshops, lectures, or events. Data regarding online searches and participant numbers will also be observed.
Evaluation will also occur with the artists themselves through regular check-in meetings, larger scale meetings between all participating branches, and additional interviews. Further discussion with the artists will help confirm if the initial goals of the program were met.
With thorough evaluation following the pilot artist residency, the program can gain better insight into improving and possibly expanding its reach throughout the library system.
References
https://www.madisonbubbler.org/residencies
https://www.madisonbubbler.org/about
https://blprnt.medium.com/an-artist-in-every-library-c0df05bf3c9
https://ipaintmymind.org/blog/library-art-programs-engage-community/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VvOGviPic8
https://www.instagram.com/p/C2OBJCBPLHc/
https://www.lacountyarts.org/experiences/creative-strategist-program
https://www.magazine.artconnect.com/editorial/organizing-an-artist-residency-program
https://www.lacountyarts.org/creative-strategist-program-evaluation
3 Comments
Katelyn A.
I love this idea, @alexis1barra! I think it’s not unusual for programming staff to sometimes feel stagnant in planning crafts and artistry, hence a lot of repeat programs each year. This is a great solution to bring in fresh ideas while supporting local artistry and encouraging new connections. Everyone wins with this concept!
Sue Donnim
Alexis, I love this idea too! it’s one that really caught my eye this semester and somehow I never wrote about it. Your seems to be well thought-out and your evaluation ideas seem like they’ll be effective. We already know it’s working in some libraries, as you’ve shown here with your examples. But I think you could make a good case for it with your plan in most libraries. I think space would be the biggest issue. Do you mind if I lift some of your ideas for suggestions at my library?
Amy Oxford
The artist in residency program was also very interesting to me. I’m not an artist of any kind, but I had never heard of a library hosting resident artists before and the possibilities excited me. I also learned that my library has a similar program that I never knew about so now I have to check that out.