The Dougherty Arts Center is now accepting applications for both established and emerging artists in ceramics for the 2027 Ceramic Artist Residency Program. If selected, artists will begin their residencies in January, 2027.  

Applications Open: Monday, August 3, 2026 at 12:00am Applications Close: Friday, September 4, 2026 at 11:59pm. 

The Dougherty Arts Center’s Ceramic Artist Residency Program provides ceramic artists with the space, facilities, time, and professional interaction that will foster their ideas, skills, abilities, and focus as practicing artists. This is a work exchange program where resident artists are expected to create outreach opportunities within the community such as teaching workshops, giving public presentations, critiques, and monitoring the DAC independent study program and open studio hours. 

Program Goals: 

• Support ceramic artists in developing their body of artwork as well as a career in the arts through opportunities for education, exhibition, and leadership. 
• Support the visual arts as an integral component of a vibrant community and thriving economy. 
• Enhance the presentation of, and diversity within, emerging and established ceramic artists in Austin. 

Residency Benefits

• Shared studio space, accessible during building hours with designated storage. Working during scheduled classes is allowed, provided that registered students have priority for space and equipment. 
• Representation on the DAC website and marketing including newsletters and social media 
• Participation in the DAC’s annual artists in residence exhibition scheduled for October/November 2027  
• Studio glazes and firing are covered under the residency. Dedicated firing schedules allow for consistent firing of resident’s work. 

Studio Space

The DAC Ceramics Studio is 1400 sq. ft. providing 12 Brent wheels (including standup and reverse options), 8 Shimpo Aspire wheels, slab roller, extruder, molds, cone 6 and raku studio glazes, two electric kilns, a raku kiln, and a gas kiln. 

Application Information:

Applications are submitted online, through the DAC’s submittable platform. Applicants are also required to submit the following:

• Artist Résumé (maximum of two pages, formatted as a PDF) 
• Ten Digital Images of your work including the title, medium, size, and date 
• Two Letters of Recommendation (formatted as a PDF)

There are two levels of the Ceramic Artist Residency: Emerging Artist and Established Artist. 

Emerging Artist - Artists in their foundational years that are committed to advancing their own work and exploring a potential professional career. We encourage applicants who would like to make art and creativity a continuing part of their lives, even if they have not pursued it in a post-secondary institutional setting. A college degree is not required to apply as an emerging artist.

Emerging Artist Eligibility: 

• Applicants must be visual artists over 18 years old who live in the Austin area (within Bastrop, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Hays, Travis or Williamson counties). 
• Applicants may not be a current City of Austin employee, contractor, or vendor; or become one during the residency. 
• Applicant should understand general ceramic processes and terminology. 
• Applicant should have some experience working in a ceramic studio setting. 

Established Artist- Artists who have developed a substantial body of work, have a history of exhibiting in solo or group shows, a presence in the art market, or teaching that is beyond the level of emerging. Ideal applicants have experience with studio operations, have developed a body of work and need the time and space to further develop as a professional artist, and have a desire to share their knowledge with the community. 

In addition to the Emerging Artist eligibility requirements, the following are the preferred qualifications for an Established Artist Residency: 

• Applicant has received a college degree within the field of application. 
• Applicant has experience with studio operations within field of application (loading/firing kilns, etc.). 
• Applicant has previous experience with leading workshops or classes. 

Selection Process:

After the application has closed, all submissions will be reviewed on the below criteria:  

• Artist Need 
• Clarity of Goals and Commitment to Plans 
• Relevant Experience 
• Overall Feasibility 
• Artistic Merit: Technique and Craftsmanship

Interviews will take place between September 14 October 2, 2026. Those selected will be notified in Early October. 

Implementation 

Following the applicant selection and approval from DAC Management, the selected applicant will be notified via email and will have 5 days to respond. If the applicant has accepted the residency, staff will move forward with the onboarding process and schedule an orientation. 

Tentative Start of Residency Term: January 11, 2027

Terms of Residency 

A Ceramic Artist Residency term is six months, renewable up to a total of two years. Residents will be evaluated midway through, and at the end of each term. As part of the term end evaluation, Residents will be given the opportunity to request a renewal of their residency. If DAC staff approve the request, residents will sign a new residency agreement at the beginning of a new term. 

This evaluation process will be repeated for each additional six-month term. The Artist Residency Program is not a funding program. The Dougherty Arts Center does not provide financial or domestic support including transportation, food/meals, or living quarters. 

Artist Commitment and Responsibilities 

The DAC Ceramic Artist Residency is a work exchange program. Residents agree to work approximately 6-10 hours per week at regularly scheduled times. Duties include: 

• Monitoring Independent Study or Open Studio hours 
• Assisting Instructors or DAC staff as needed 
• Loading and unloading kilns with reasonable accommodations 
• General studio upkeep as assigned 
• Assisting with workshops 

Additionally, Established Artists are required to offer an outreach opportunity to the public. Examples include facilitating a workshop, mentoring emerging artists, or leading critiques with students during open studio. 

Applicants should be comfortable: 

• Lifting, walking, carrying, or using a force equal to lifting to fifty (50) pounds
• Working in an open studio setting where the public can interact with the artist during public hours 
• Working independently yet cooperatively in a professional studio setting while maintaining self-motivation

Accessibility 

The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. For assistance please contact the City of Austin ADA Coordinator, David Ondich, at ada@austintexas.gov or (512) 974-3256