ABOUT THE RESIDENCY PROGRAM
McColl Center's Artist-in-Residence Program is an internationally acclaimed program that serves as a catalyst for artistic growth for emerging and mid-career artists. We offer flexible residency terms throughout the year, with a dedicated summer session for parents and/or educators. During our annual application period, artists can indicate their preferred dates and duration, allowing for curated cohorts and adaptable residency lengths that meet their needs.
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 Charlotte-based creative sector. While in residence, artists also have access to our shared labs and studios including:
- 3D Lab (3D printer and laser cutter)
- Ceramics + Sculpture Studio
- Darkroom
- Media Lab with a large-scale printer
- Woodshop
Artists-in-Residence participate in a group exhibition and lead one to two community engagements centered around their practice.
An Artist-in-Residence at McColl Center is a moment to think big, take risks with your creative practice, and explore ideas within the context of Charlotte.
While McColl Center has proudly supported international artists, our current residency programs are limited to artists who reside in the United States. This temporary shift allows us to ensure a more equitable, secure, and supportive experience for all participating artists. We look forward to welcoming international artists again in the future.
The application period for residencies taking place between Summer 2026 and Winter 2027 has closed.
Applications will open Summer 2026, sign up to receive the McColl Center newsletter for updates .
The John O. Calmore Creative Activism Artist Residency at McColl Center is dedicated to supporting artists whose practices confront pressing social justice issues and envision new possibilities for equity and community. Named in honor of John O. Calmore’s legacy as a legal scholar and advocate for civil rights, the residency emphasizes the role of artists as catalysts for social action, problem-solving, and relationship building. Selected artists are provided time, space, and resources to deepen their work while engaging with Charlotte’s diverse communities. The residency culminates in a group exhibition at SE CLT Gallery, extending McColl Center’s mission beyond its Uptown campus and underscoring the transformative potential of socially engaged art in shaping dialogue and collective futures.
The Summer Parents + Educator Artist-in-Residence Program at McColl Center is designed specifically for parents and educators whose professional and family responsibilities often prevent them from participating in traditional residency models. This program provides artists the time, space, and resources to advance their practice while welcoming their families into the residency experience. By removing barriers of care and scheduling, this residency affirms McColl Center’s commitment to supporting artists at every stage of life and fostering an environment where creative growth and family life can thrive together.