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Residency
How to Apply
Deadlines and Session Dates
Application deadlines are MARCH 1 and SEPTEMBER 1 annually.
- The March 1 deadline determines residency awards scheduled the following July – December.
- The September 1 deadline determines residency awards scheduled the following January – June.
Upcoming Session Dates:
- 2019 Session 2 : July 1 - Dec 20, 2019
- 2020 Session 1: January 6 - June 19, 2020 (application deadline September 1, 2019)
- 2020 Session 2: July 6 – December 18, 2020 (application deadline March 1, 2020)
When you indicate preferred dates in your application, be sure they fall within the session for which you are applying. If your schedule is flexible, you may note such in lieu of or in addition to exact dates in the application form. Be sure that your preferred arrival date is a Monday and your departure date, a Friday, as weekends between residents are used for cleaning and laundering of linens.
Guidelines
The following list gives general requirements for all applicants. Each item will be presented as a separate form for you to complete in our online application portal. Before submitting your application, download the SUPPORT MATERIALS guidelines (file links located bottom of page) for your discipline and follow the directions specific to your discipline to help prepare files. Guidelines are also noted throughout the online application process.
- Application information including your general information and requested dates of residency.
- Statement about submitted works (limit 200 words, ~1500 characters) and a statement of intent of what you propose to work on while at the Center including why the residency is important to you at this stage in your career (limit 200 words, ~1500 characters). Your name MUST NOT appear in the contents of either statement.
- Contact information for two professional references who are familiar with your work and your potential to be a positive member of our small community of residents.
- Professional history from your current resume or vita. Your name MAY appear in the contents of this information.
- An OPTIONAL outreach proposal. If you are interested in doing outreach in our community, you can provide us with information about the type of activity or event you would like to facilitate. This is NOT required for you to be considered for a residency.
- Support materials, or work samples, for your specific discipline. See the guidelines for your discipline below to help you prepare your materials. Your name MUST NOT appear in the contents of your support materials or in the corresponding file info entered in the online portal.
- Application fee of $35 paid via credit card through the online portal. The fee includes our base fee plus an additional fee for media upload. All fees are paid through the portal; check or money order cannot be sent to the Center.
SUPPORT MATERIALS: Click to download PDF of specific guidelines for your discipline. File links located bottom of page.
Application Fee
Applications for KHN residencies must be submitted through our online application process. A $35 application fee applies to online submissions and is collected through the application portal. Applications received via USPS mail or email will not be considered and exceptions will not be made.
Application Notification by Email
Acknowledgement of receipt of applications and notification of the results of the juried application process will be sent by e-mail from a "@khncenterforthearts.org" address. Be sure to adjust your e-mail filter to receive these important messages.
Notifications of the results for applications received by September 1 for a session 1 residency will be sent prior to or on the following November 1 and prior to or on the following May 1 for March 1 deadline applications.
Transitional Residencies
KHN gives special support to emerging artists by reserving a number of "transitional" residencies for recent masters degree graduates (within two years of application deadline). The application process is the same for all applicants, however applications from artists in transition following graduation from an accredited degree program receive special consideration.
Nebraska Residencies
The Kimmel Harding Nelson program provides special support to Nebraska artists by ensuring that a number of residencies are awarded to Nebraska artists each year. The application process is the same for all applicants, however applications from Nebraska artists receive special consideration.
The KHN Center defines Nebraska artists are those who are currently living and working in the state, grew up in Nebraska, or received their degree from a Nebraska university or college.
Travel
Residents should plan to arrive at the Center between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. (local time: CST or DST) on a Monday and depart on a Friday.
There are two airports about an hour away: Omaha Eppley Airfield (OMA) and the Lincoln Airport (LNK). To get from either airport to Nebraska City, residents can arrange for transportation with Nebraska City's Tree City Taxi at least 24 hours prior to their arrival or departure. The taxi fare ($90 per trip) will be paid for by the Kimmel Foundation.
Residents can also consider traveling by train or bus to Lincoln or Omaha. The same arrangement with the taxi service applies. The Kansas City Airport (KCI) is two hours away. However, taxi service will not be paid for from Kansas City to Nebraska City.
Re-applying
Applicants not awarded residencies may re-apply at the next deadline.
Former residents are eligible to re-apply for a maximum of two residencies within their lifetime. Alumni who are artists living in or from Nebraska, can re-apply ONE year after their original residency application. Non-Nebraska alumni can re-apply TWO years after their original residency application.
Jurors
Residency awards are based upon the recommendations of external jurors who independently review applicants work samples and support materials (without names attached). Jurors normally serve for one to two years.
Past jurors include the following artists, academics, curators, and editors.
Music Composition
Ken Bales, Ivan Elezovic, Cynthia Folio, Darlene Mitchell, Koji Nakano, Samita Sinha, Shazad Ismaily, Suzanne Sorkin, Janis Mercer, Keane Southard, Damon Lee, Filippo Santoro
Visual Art
Kimberly Cridler, Aaron Fine, Martha Horvay, Bonnie O'Connell, Gary Rattigan, Larry Roots, Amy Ruffo, Susan McGilvrey, Dave Beck, Deborah Zlotsky, Jesse Patrick Martin, Lauren Pakradooni, Ying Zhu, Matt Jensen, Corwin Levi
Writing
Liz Ahl, Royal Eckert, David Groff, Greg Kosmicki, Steve Langan, Jill Patterson, Lee Ann Roripaugh, Mary K. Stillwell, David Meischen, Evelyn Sharenov, Eric Kocher, Glenis Redmond, Novuyo Tshuma
Interdisciplinary
Dave Beck, Orit Ben-Shitrit, Elizabeth Stehling, Amanda Smith, Matt Jensen
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What the Artists are Saying...
My favorite aspect of the residency was the undistracted, solitary time to work! My studio (#2) was wonderful with both the natural and track lighting and the garage door.
Myszka Lewis
Visual Artist, 2018 — Madison, WI
There's so much I like! I like the intimate nature of the residency and how the very excellent alone time is balanced with just a bit of togetherness with the organized lunch and invites to some stuff in town. I love the Third Thursday open house.
Betsy Andrews
Writer, 2018 — Brooklyn, NY
I thought the number of residents was perfect. It was easy to get to know everyone, and feel comfortable here. Both my living and studio accommodations were very comfortable and welcoming.
Hannah Newman
Visual Artist, 2018 — Springfield, MO
The Staff was very supportive, it was easy to reach out and discuss anything. The facilities are also very comfortable, and the environment is great for working.
Jayoung Yoon
Visual Artist, 2018 — Beacon, NY
The open gallery night was especially wonderful. I really enjoyed the chance to share my work with the larger community and to hear their feedback and questions — as well as to see and hear the work of the other residents.
Sonia Scherr
Writer, 2018 — Norwich, VT
For me, the most valuable aspect was the open structure that allowed for plenty of time and space to make work, make friends, think, read, write and be. The apartment was beautiful, comfortable and inspiring. With the studio only a few steps away, it was easy to be productive.
Katy Mixon
Visual Artist, 2018 — Brooklyn, NY
This place is shockingly quiet. The welcome letter mentions that, but it's nothing compared to the actual silence on the grounds. The town itself aids to this, and it yields an excellent environment for creativity.
Kory Reeder
Composer, 2017 — Kearney, NE
The interdisciplinary structure is really beneficial and generates unique conversations while providing mutual inspiration for residents. The staff is engaged but is also very conscious of respecting the time and space of each resident. Nebraska City has excellent institutions but still provides a quiet and slow-paced setting. The apartment and studio are well equipped, clean, and well maintained.
Kari Varner
Visual Artist, 2017 — University City, MO
Facilities, staff, and the ease with which I was able to simply settle in and work all exceeded my expectations!
Lauren W. Westerfield
Writer, 2017 — Moscow, ID
I think the facility at KHN could not be more ideally suited for an artist residency program. I felt like I was staying in a very comfortable private home and I had everything that I needed to do my work, and having the private bathroom and spacious kitchen was wonderful.
Gary Peter
Writer, 2017 — St. Paul, MN
Peace and quiet. Beautiful facilities! Piano was great, staff was very friendly and helpful. And that Mexican place is EXCELLENT.
Jonathan Russ
Composer, 2017 — Brooklyn, NY
KHN is a wonderful facility in a beautiful space. It was great to have time to focus on my work, and I took advantage of the location to photograph several nearby prairies and natural areas.
Amanda Breitbach
Visual Artist, 2017 —Lincoln, NE
The staff was so helpful and accommodating. I couldn't believe how easy they made everything. They also were always ready to find things for me and share resources. This made everything so much easier since I had travelled from too far to bring a lot of extra items for my studio practice. I loved that there was a mix of writers, artists and composers. This mix made for great conversations and interesting meetings.
Julia Staples
Visual Artist, 2017 — Philadelphia, PA
The space and set up were great! This is one of my favorite residencies thus far. The location of the apartment wasn't too far from civilization but also in a good area for it not to be super noisy nor was there lots of traffic or other sounds. The middle school across the street wasn't at all a distraction. I also really loved the dessert spots and greatly appreciated the staff's flexibility and availability to help, answer questions, drive you to the store when needed. All the details were thought of right down to a bathroom mat and miscellaneous supplies available in its own closet.
Jennifer Baker
Writer, 2017 — Kew Gardens, NY
This was the first time I'd ever had my own living space and studio, and time to structure as I pleased, so everything was a revelation to me. The pace of Nebraska City was a welcome shift from New York and I found it to be very welcoming without being intrusive (and just pedestrian-friendly enough).
Rachel Peters
Composer, 2017 — Brooklyn, NY
I absolutely loved how carefully considered every detail of this residency is. The building itself is just a marvelous organization of rooms, I could be alone or together with other residents whenever I needed.
Kirstin Lamb
Visual Artist, 2017 — Providence, RI
I love my room, I love my studio, I love that the town is calm and peaceful and pretty. It's so relaxing here. No one bothers me, and I feel free.
Dan Fishback
Composer, 2017 — Brooklyn, NY
This has been such an incredible opportunity for me to have the space and time I needed to really develop my artwork. The facilities at KHN are wonderful; I appreciated the garage had tons of wall space, natural light, and was temperature controlled. It made it incredibly easy to just jump right into the work.
Katherine Bickmore
Visual Artist 2017 — Albany, NY
There is such peace and quiet in a shared home and town is lovely and very conducive to working. The planned trips the store are so helpful as well as transport to/from the airport!
Parini Shroff
Writer, 2017 — Los Altos, CA
I really love the combination of autonomy and support here--I can be self-directed, but there is so much warmth and community as well. The staff is welcoming and communicative, and the facility feels very much like home.
Megan Kruse
Writer, 2017 — San Marcos, TX
I love the combination of solitude and camaraderie...getting an extended period of time to do nothing but work on my fiction is a rare and much-appreciated gift, but I also love meeting the other residents and learning from them.
Jen Bergmark
Writer, 2012 — Los Angeles, CA
The time and space away from my daily routine, jobs, relationships and responsibilities allowed me solitude and focus. The residency provided an opportunity to work in an environment of serious, like-minded artists and writers, which has pushed my practice and provided a platform to build a new body of work. It was a great experience.
Christina Vogel
Visual Artist, 2013 — Omaha, NE
I was able to produce more in my 3 week residency than I can normally in half a year. The building itself was inspiration for me and I enjoyed the small number of artists present at one time. The staff was incredibly helpful with their time, resources and ideas.
Desiree Moore
Visual Artist, 2016 — Indianapolis, IN
The residency was flawless in all areas. Facilities were charming and clean, the program structure open-ended, staff talented and kind, Nebraska City vibrant and idiosyncratic. I truly cannot single out any particular facet, as all aspects complemented the others: the architecture promotes seclusion and community, the structure promotes exploration and collaboration, the staff promotes well-being and cohesiveness, and the town promotes discovery in digestible pieces. Perfecto!
Todd Robinson
Writer 2016 — Omaha, NE
