The Kimball Arts Center Artist in Residence program is for any emerging or established artist in Chicago. These artists are looking to exhibit their work in the hallways of our public multidisciplinary building, in effort to build their creative network, resources, sales and collaborative opportunities. They are also looking for shared studio space to develop their body of work as well as offer various public programming opportunities.

Our most successful AIRs have been individuals who are highly self-starting and motivated by connection and collaboration. This is a relatively young and experimental opportunity in that we have built a foundation for flexibility, adapting to the vision of each new artist.

See past AIR

• Space to exhibit your work publicly in our multidisciplinary building of over 30 independent creative businesses and artist studios

• Shared studio space in Suite 212 on the second floor for the duration. of your AIR session.

• Ongoing participation in our Artists Print Shop where you can sell archival prints of your work during and beyond your AIR session.

• Complimentary archival documentation and printing of high res files of your work to be included int he Artist Print Shop.

• Public Programming Opportunities (pitch your workshop, artist talk, other event to us, let’s make it happen!)

• $250 Stipend paid upon completion of installation. This is to aid in any material or transportation costs for the artist

• Opportunity to sell your work in exhibition, artists prints and other merch. KAC takes 25% of all sales made within your residency. This cut goes directly back into funding future AIR sessions. 75% is in your pocket

• Scheduled Studio Visits with various artists and creative entrepreneurs who work at the KAC

• Opening Reception for your exhibition. This is a flexible gathering and can be as casual or formal as you’d like!

• Access to the building at your convenience. The Plant Lounge on the 2nd floor is a great place to work and connect with the creative community at the KAC

• Complimentary artist portraits with photographer and KAC fam, Clayton Hauck’s, innovative “Keep it 100” system.

The Kimball Arts Center accepts any medium of artwork that can be hung on the walls of our public hallways.

Each session has up to 3 artists and approximately 60ft of wall space per artist on our first and second floors.

This is an ideal opportunity for artists that have an existing body of work to show. If you are making new work for the program, please submit drafts and examples of what you would exhibit.

We also accept mural proposals for the exterior spaces of the building!

PRICING

Minimum price $100

Maximum price $2,000

KAC takes 25% of all sales during your residency. This goes directly back into future AIR programming.

Each session is up to 3 months long, approximately 4 times a year. Each session we select up to 3 artists.

Winter / Spring 2026 (Mid January to Mid April) In Collaboration with ILA Creative. Link to apply coming soon

Spring / Summer 2026 (May to July)

Summer / Fall 2026 (August to October)

Fall / Winter 2026 (October to January)

• Space for artists to create their work. This is purely an exhibition residency. Exceptions for muralists who would paint on-site

• Full Installation Labor. Maddy, the AIR director, works to place the work and gives a hand in install. We offer nails, wire, hammers, measuring tape, levels, ladder. We encourage the artists to bring a friend for assistance

• Insurance for stolen or damaged work. The first floor exhibition spaces are fully open to the public from 7am-10pm. Our second floor spaces are accessed via security code. There are security cameras throughout the whole property, inside and outside.

• Services to mail or ship purchased work. All sales transactions are processed through our website and AIR Director. It is up to the artist to execute delivery of work.

AIR is a platform that is exploring the crossover of paying artists justly for their hard work (selling at 25/75 split in favor of the artist) and accessibility for a new audience to buy your art. We believe in circular economies and that art collecting should be for everyone!

With this is mind, the value of an original artwork is much greater and prioritized for exhibition. For accessibility reasons, we have developed our Artist Print Archive (online shop coming soon).

Avenues of circulation beyond just exhibition:

• Archival Prints of original works can be available on our website and in events for sale

• Good Things Vending- We have a machine on site and can connect you with Steph to sell!

• Stickers, Post Cards, various merch prepared for sale at Opening Reception or other public programming