Artist-in-Residence

The Two Harbors Public Library is a cornerstone of the community dedicated to lifelong learning, connection, and inclusivity. We are proud to serve as a gathering place for our community and launched a strategic plan in 2025 focused on arts, access, and atmosphere. We see the arts as a lens patrons can use to learn about themselves and connect with their local community. The Artist in Residence will lead workshops, host creative open studio hours, and design passive programs. The culminating event will be a community art show hosted at the Two Harbors Public Library through the month of May 2027 with work created by program participants. This project is sponsored through the generosity of the Two Harbors Area Fund.

Expectations for residency:
• The duration of the residency is early September 2026 through late May 2027. We envision monthly programs, in some combination of public workshops, open studio time, and passive programs. We are broad in our application materials to encourage applicants to design a suite of programming based on their unique processes and expertise.
o Public workshops could be classes, presentations, or workshops.
o Open studio time is a designated and unstructured time where patrons can interact with the artist and learn from their creative process. This can be a chance for the artist to work on a project in the library’s meeting room while patrons ask questions, a continuation of a project from a public workshop where patrons can continue their work with guidance from an artist, or another form of drop-in experience that makes sense for the applicant based on their artform.
o Passive programs are asynchronous opportunities for patrons to engage with the artist’s creative process. Past successful passive programs at the library include “take and make” kits with materials and prompts; in-library scavenger hunts; or working on a collaborative project like a community coloring book or community cookbook.
• The Artist In Residence will offer a variety of opportunities for engagement for patrons of all ages and abilities:
o The Artist is required to lead at least four public workshops at least 90 minutes each.
o The Artist is required to host three public drop-in open studio creation times at least 90 minutes each.
o The Artist is required to design and coordinate at least two passive programs to ensure equity of access with supplies for at least 50 participants per passive program.
o The Artist will work with library staff to schedule the opportunities throughout the duration of the residency.

Application is available at www.twoharborspubliclibrary.com
Application deadline: 5pm Monday, August 3, 2026
Please complete application and include two reference letters and three examples of your work.
Return applications via email to Madeline at madeline.jarvis@alslib.info; via mail to “Two Harbors Public Library ATTN Artist in Residence 320 Waterfront Drive Two Harbors, MN 55616,” or in person at the library’s front desk. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Applicants will be notified of committee’s decision by the second week of August.
Compensation: The Artist will receive a $4,500 stipend to compensate their time and expertise and $1,000 to purchase needed workshop supplies. The stipend will be paid over three payments throughout the duration of the residency.