During the summer months, space is a hot commodity at Ox-Bow. With a full academic program with courses in six studio areas, artists in residence are invited to engage with a dynamic discursive community. There are usually only one to two artists in residence during any given week. These artists are provided with a single room in either a small building called the Red or in a single in our larger dormitory space, the Ox-Bow Inn. All bathrooms facilities are shared in either the Inn or the Wet (the shower house, outfitted with 4 individual showers).
Summer artists in residence are given studios in a historic building, known as the Convent. The Convent houses 4 individual studios, each with their own entrance. Other artists working in the Convent may include students working on independent study, other artists in residence, and Ox-Bow’s Academic Director.
Fall artists in residence have priority on campus. Each artist is given a studio in either the Convent, the Lutz, or the Haas Painting Studio. Artists in residence who would like to work in a specific classroom studio are invited to apply, however studio availability is contingent on the level of experience of each individual artist. If there is significant interest by applicants to work in any given studio, Ox-Bow may hire a studio tech to help monitor the studio. Collaborative teams are invited to apply for the fall residency, though they should anticipate sharing a studio space.
The Convent
Individual spaces are 10’x 11’ and ideal for artists working in either 2-D or 3-D that does not require equipment or studio facilities. During the fall months, this studio is ideal for those working in performance, video, or music or for those who may need a quieter space.
The Lutz and The Haas
Ox-Bow is a community, its an important part of our history, and we are committed to upholding this tradition. Therefore, the Lutz and the Haas are structured as group studio facilities. Each Artist in Residence is given their own 10’x10’ space within a larger partially open studio facility. We understand and encourage each artists’ need to use the time and remove that Ox-Bow offers, so we do not require any specific engagement with the other residents on campus, artists are most successful at Ox-Bow when they participate in the larger community.
The Landcape
As much as Ox-Bow is a community and an experience, it is also a really engaging and specific site to create in. With 115-acres and over 22 historic buildings, artists in residence are invited to interact, install, and investigate the physical landscape. Artists, however, are not allowed to make any permanent changes to the landscape and are not allowed to use materials in the landscape that are not easily removed (ie concrete, paint). All residents are responsible for siting their projects with Ox-Bow’s residential staff and for removing all evidence of installation upon completion of their residency.
Ox-Bow is committed creating a community where artists can succeed in the projects they wish to complete. Upon acceptance, Ox-Bow staff will contact selected artists in residence about the goals and needs of the residency period to ensure that we can accommodate your proposals in terms of space and equipment needs. If scheduling allows, we try to place individual artists during weeks or with other artists in residence that will either complement or challenge a given studio practice.
Other facilities
Ox-Bow has a small woodshop available for use. Residents must consult with residential staff prior to using the woodshop and any equipment within.
Ox-Bow has limited technology. There are no copiers available for use, and minimal access to wireless internet. Additionally, there are no computers available for use by artists in residence.
The Ox-Bow kitchen is a famous part of life at Ox-Bow. We provide artists in residence with three meals per day. All meals are cooked by our residential kitchen staff, who cook with an emphasis on locally grown produce, international cuisine, made with healthy and wholesome ingredients. Ox-Bow is able to facilitate most dietary needs and allergies, however artists in residence should alert the office of any dietary requirements prior to arrival.