Attention all artists and creatives! Apply for a special opportunity to become the next Artist-In-Residency
Surrounded by mountains and illuminated by sunshine, the Rogers Art Loft (RAL) is a safe haven for emerging artists. The fixture is part of a creative hub situated in downtown Las Vegas. The Loft holds space for artists seeking to freely explore, research and develop their craft without judgment.
Year Four of the (RAL) Artist-In-Residency program is now accepting applications until July 25, 2022. The program offers selected artists a place to live and work for two to eight weeks, depending on their art practice needs. The Artist-In-Residence stays at the institute’s first-ever creator community, The Lucy. The Lucy has evolved into a creative commune for artists from all over the world.
The Residency program includes access to an innovative workspace nearby at the Rogers Studio Gallery. The studio is a place for the artists to host special events, such as artist talks, performances, exhibitions and community workshops. Emerging artists and visionaries, both national and international, are encouraged to apply.
Artists interested in applying for the residency must submit a Las Vegas-specific project proposal, written statements, portfolio and biographical message to their online submission platform.
In 2019, RAL launched their first Artist-In-Residency at The Lucy. They accepted both virtual and in-person applicants with backgrounds from a multitude of different art specialities, including sculpture, painting, printing, performance art, collage and fiber arts. The residency prides itself on being an inclusive and empowering space for all artists.
Audrey Barcio, a former Rogers Art Loft resident, says in a statement, “Most residencies are not funded nor have clear goals for research and production. Many artists would love the chance to just dedicate their time and have end goals such as an exhibition, workshop and lecture such as Rogers Art Loft provides. I think this residency is best for the independent artist who has a goal in mind and ready to dive deep into their research. The community RAL offers is built in—in other ways that are very important to artists and I really appreciated the space to engage.”
This opportunity is funded by the The Rogers Foundation, a non-profit organization “dedicated to transforming lives through arts and education in Southern Nevada.” In fact, this year the non-profit also awarded over $3 million dollars in scholarships to 36 senior high school students in Nevada. This residency program comes from the mind of local philanthropist and arts advocate, Beverly Rogers.
“We have enjoyed working with some amazing talent over the years and have continually been uplifted by the creativity and passion they share with our community,” says Beverly Rogers, Chairman of the Board, The Rogers Foundation, in a statement. “We are excited about what’s to come as we welcome additional emerging artists and further elevate Las Vegas with the creation of art, dialogue, community engagement and new collaborations.”
Passepartout Duo also speaks highly of their experiences with the program. “If you are looking to develop your practice in a context that is supportive and challenging at the same time, while being completely non-judgmental, you should apply for this residency opportunity,” says the former RAL artists in a statement.
The Lucy complex, where the artists will reside, is close to the independent bookstore, Writer’s Block. It is in an area where local writers, entrepreneurs and artists gather frequently for community events revolving around the arts. Other noteworthy places within this area include: the Las Vegas Arts District, Fremont Experience, Neon Museum and the Smith Center for Performing Arts.
Lance L. Smith, Rogers Art Loft Director, says in a statement, “We consider the artist residency to be a place of research, development and creation for artists and an offering of time, space and support for exploration. Our mission is to support artists in all steps of their development.”
For artists seeking a studio where they may experiment with their creative concepts or a non-judgmental space to develop their artistry and research, this is it. We look forward to seeing more artists thrive in the Las Vegas community.
