Costs and Scholarships

Residency is divided into 6 week-long groups.

In 2023 there is a flat participation fee of 300,000 yen.

Shiro Oni Studio Covers: artist support (bilingual staff members to help with anything from research to figuring out which foods are vegan at the supermarket),  a private bedroom, studio space, all building utilities, a bicycle, access to the wood shop tools and equipment, and flyer printing expenses.

Artists Cover: Travel expenses, food costs.

Artwork materials: artists are responsible for their own materials. There is an storage room of free artist supplies from previous artists – with things like paper, ink, tape and paint.

Age 25 and older
Can communicate in English
Attend meetings, engages in art workshops and interacts with faculty, students, and the community
Mounts an individual artist exhibition
Donate a piece of art to Illinois Wesleyan University (chosen by artist)

One residency in the fall 2019, and one in the spring of 2020 are available, each 6 weeks long. Long-term residencies help to develop a deeper connection to the area and the local people and to produce the strongest work.

Fall 2019 selection will be announced in August 2019, Spring 2020 selection will be announced in December 2019.

We provide each artist with their own studio space inside the Ames School of Art. The studio is 9’ x 21’ and has a north-facing window and a sink with running water. Easels and furniture are available if needed.

Artists are responsible for travel and meals; Illinois Wesleyan University will provide a studio space inside the Ames School of Art, a bicycle share program for local transportation, a private bedroom in a university visitors’ residence with shared bath, kitchen, and living spaces, and a $2,000 USD stipend. Campus dining is available for visitors. Artists will have access to the Shirk Center (Recreation).

The City of Bloomington and neighboring Town of Normal have a plethora of cultural, intellectual, and social events throughout the year.

Residents stay in the Wilder Guest House. The guest facility is an historic, two-story house containing a living room, dining room and kitchen on the first floor, with private sleeping rooms on the first and second floors.  All bedrooms are air-conditioned.  The living room has a television.  The bathrooms (one on the first floor/one on the second floor) are common areas which are shared between guests and are provided with locks for privacy.

Each artist will mount an artist exhibition toward the end of the residency. Exhibitions are a chance for residents to summarize their project in Bloomington and meet up with friends met during their stay.

Artists exhibit their work in the Merwin and Wakeley Galleries.