Artist-Organizer Residency Call

The Leadership Center for Social Justice and the Theology and the Arts Program at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities are excited to announce a call for applications for a 9-month Artist-Organizer-In-Residence position. This call is for an emerging or established artist and/or organizer of any discipline/medium who is looking to deepen the integration of their art and social justice work. 

Qualifications: Applicants must live in the Twin Cities metropolitan area and be actively engaged as an artist and/or organizer. Note: In an effort to connect with new communities, current United students will not be considered for this position.

Goals for the Residency

Goals for United

  1. Strengthen the relationship between the arts and social justice at United.
  2. Build and develop community relationships.
  3. Bring fresh perspectives into the seminary

Goals for the Resident

  1. Space to further develop art practices and social justice commitments.
  2. Establish and/or deepen connections with community organizations.
  3. Develop and exhibition to be put on display at the end of the residency.

Residency Details

The residency will run from Mid-August 2023 through Mid-May 2024 (exact start and end dates are flexible) and the resident will work approximately 5 to 10 hours per week.

Benefits

  • Pay: $7,500 (paid in four installments during the residency period), plus a budget for supplies.
  • Space: Access to space at United’s Saint Paul campus (including art space, United library, podcast studio, and an office space).
  • Supervision and Support: Monthly check-in and support from Center Director and/or Theology and the Arts Program Director

Responsibilities

  • Regularly attend LCSJ Events and Theology and the Arts Events. 
  • Guest lecture in at least one class, in consultation with faculty. 
  • Collaborate on three to four public facing events that engage the themes of art and social justice (workshops, public talks, etc.).
  • Work on a collective art project with the LCSJ cohort at group retreat in October.
  • Lead art lunches once a month with United students in consultation with the Arts Program Director.
  • Present an exhibition of work at the end of the residency.

Application process

Fill out the Artist-Organizer-In-Residence application.

Deadline: May 15, 2023 

Interviews will take place at the end of May through the beginning of June, and the chosen resident will be notified by June 15, 2023.

You will need:
  1. Resume/CV
  2. Two References
  3. Artist-Organizer Statement (one page)
  4. A brief reflection on how you understand the relationship between art and organizing for social justice and why you are drawn to participate in this residency program at this time. 
  5. Examples of your work 
    • For visual artists: four to five images of recent individual work in hi-res jpeg or png
    • For video artists: links to three YouTube videos
    • For musicians: three original songs (mp4 files)
    • For writers: five poems for poets; 20 pages maximum (double-spaced) sample of a fiction or nonfiction work for other writers

About us

United Theological Seminary of the Twin CitiesSD_R7346

When you come to United, you join a community that is intentionally open, socially aware, and theologically adventurous. Our passion is equipping leaders to make real, lasting change in the world—whether your vocation is in faith leadership, nonprofit leadership, academia, the arts, activism, or social entrepreneurship.

Founded as a welcoming, ecumenical school that embraces all denominations and faith traditions, United has been on the cutting edge of progressive theological thought leadership since it was established in 1962. Today, United continues to train leaders who dismantle systems of oppression, explore multifaith spirituality, and push the boundaries of knowledge.

Theology and the Arts Program

The Theology and the Arts degree program at United prepares students to explore theological questions through the lens of the arts. Students engage these questions in a broad and systematic way, drawing on art history, aesthetics, practical arts, creativity, and imagination. The program has an academic focus on exploring justice, spirituality, and the human condition through the lens of art and theology.

Hubspot - LCSJ(1)-1Leadership Center for Social Justice

The Leadership Center for Social Justice seeks to equip, inspire, and empower leaders to faithfully and reflectively engage in concrete, contextual ministry for social justice. In the spirit of faith, hope, and love, the Center supports leaders in developing skills in contextually-sensitive, creative, and effective leadership and social praxis.

In addition to the Leadership for Social Justice program—a nine-month continuing education program for pastors—the Center serves as a hub for critical conversations about a range of contemporary social and political issues, offering spiritual leaders and communities of faith a place for reflective and deeply engaged continuing theological education.