2025 mary olson farm artist in residence

The residency lasts two months during June and July, providing the artist with a large barn as an indoor studio space, a stipend, and access to the 67-acre farm. As the Artist in Residence, the artist is responsible for leading a variety of free public programs, typically including a free community workshop, open studio days, an artist talk, and a performance at the Mary Olson Farm. Visitors to Mary Olson Farm will have the opportunity to meet the artist and experience an entirely new artistic perspective on one of Auburn’s most beautiful places.

Work developed during the residency will be presented in cooperation with The City of Auburn, in the form of a performance or concert at the Mary Olson Farm.

Expectations of the selected artist include:

• A minimum of ten hours per week times eight weeks, creating work on-site at the Mary Olson Farm “studio space”
• Two “open-studio” weekend afternoons for the public to view works in progress and talk with the artist (dates TBD between selected artist and city staff)
• One free artist-led workshop demonstrating techniques or inspiration to the public
• Participation in a final performance
• Artists provide their own materials, and transportation to and from Mary Olson Farm in Auburn, Washington

SELECTION CRITERIA & PROCESS:

The review process will be competitive and the selection process will be made by a jury including: the City of Auburn Arts Coordinator, the Mary Olson Farm and White River Valley Museum Director, at least one other City of Auburn staff person and a panel of local artists or arts professionals.

All applicants will be selected based on the following criteria:

• Artistic excellence as demonstrated in work samples
• Artist’s residency proposal: strength, creativity and originality in concept, material implementation, and engagement with the site as described in proposal
• Feasibility of artist’s ability to create innovative work during the residency, participate actively in all expected open studio days, artist talks, public workshop, final performance, etc.

Applicants should use the residency proposal to provide the selection committee with a comprehensive idea of the planned project, how the artwork created might directly or indirectly draw inspiration from the Mary Olson Farm or surrounding natural landscape, and why the proposed project should be the one chosen. To get an idea of what kind of experience you can expect at the Mary Olson Farm Artist in Residence, we welcome interested artists to make appointments to come visit the farm and meet with the City of Auburn staff.

Artist participates in residency in June and July of 2025 (including two open weekend studio afternoons and a free public workshop)