Our artist residency is an internationally acclaimed program that serves as a catalyst for growth for artists at any stage of their careers. An artist residency at McColl Center is a moment to think big, take risks in the creative process, and explore ideas within the context of Charlotte.
Our program model functions as an interconnected “artist ladder,” designed to support creative practitioners at every stage of their development while fostering meaningful exchange across generations.
As an artist-led institution, this structure is shaped by working artists at every level - including our Artist Support Team - ensuring that the guidance, resources, and opportunities we provide are grounded in real-world creative practice.
At the highest level, Artists-in-Residence (including established and legacy artists) bring national and international perspectives into the community, contributing not only through their work but through mentorship informed by lived professional experience.
Fellowship Artists, based in the Charlotte-Metro area, deepen their practices within this environment, building visibility and engaging directly with both visiting artists and local networks.
Aspiring artists and arts professionals enter at the foundational Apprenticeship level, gaining hands-on experience, practical skills, and direct mentorship as they begin navigating the field.
Together, these tiers create a continuous, reciprocal system, where knowledge flows in multiple directions, relationships are sustained over time, and artists are supported as they grow from early exploration to established practice within a shared creative ecosystem.
Artists-in-residence receive private housing adjacent to McColl Center, a large-scale private studio in our historic building in Uptown Charlotte, curatorial guidance, marketing and PR support, and a generous stipend. While in residency, our artists have the freedom to fully focus on artistic research, exploration, and creation while also engaging with McColl Center’s Igniters community and the local creative sector.