Call for Proposals: WVU AIR

WVU Libraries’ 2027 Artist in Residence Program invites artists and creators to explore West Virginia & Regional History Center archives and create projects honoring, reframing, and elevating West Virginia’s working-class heritage. The residency lasts 5–7 days in Morgantown in March or April 2027 and includes archival research, a project display or exhibition at WVU Downtown Library, and a public presentation. Support includes a $1,000 honorarium, materials funding, and travel, lodging, and per diem reimbursements.

Common Threads: Industry, Labor & Community

Open to U.S. and Canadian-based artists and creators ages 18 and older, at any career stage. Preference—not a requirement—is given to WVU alumni and projects focusing on underrepresented narratives, local working-class history, or the human impact of regional industry. The page also contains a conflicting generic Country of Residence entry stating that the program is only open to artists based in the country where it is located; the specific eligibility text twice includes Canadian-based applicants. Residency duration is 5–7 days in March or April 2027, including at least two full days of archival research at the West Virginia & Regional History Center. Participants must provide a project display/exhibition at WVU Downtown Library and a 20-minute public presentation. Artists retain full ownership of created work. The $1,000 honorarium is paid upon completion of the residency and presentation. Materials and supplies funding of up to $1,000 is paid upon contract; travel, lodging, and per diem expenses of up to $3,000 are reimbursed. Application and residency fees are both $0. Pets are not allowed; non-collaborating spouses/partners may accompany residents for the full stay. English is listed as the program language. Private off-campus housing is listed as ADA compliant, and a food stipend is provided. Eligible disciplines span visual art, writing, dance, performance, book arts, digital media, and cultural heritage. The discipline list includes art history, augmented reality, ceramics, choreography, costume/fashion design, digital fabrication, documentary, drawing, electronic arts, environmental arts and conservation, fiction, film, fine metals/jewelry, glass, graphic and industrial design, history, illustration, installation, interdisciplinary arts, journalism, landscape architecture, literary nonfiction, literature, mixed media, moving image, multimedia, music, new genres, opera, painting, paper arts, performance art, photography, playwriting, poetry, printmaking, public art, screenwriting, sculpture, social practice, sound art, storytelling, symphony, textile/fiber arts and weaving, theater, virtual reality, visual arts, woodworking, and writing.