Call Description

Located in the heart of downtown Ashland Virginia, the Hanover Arts & Activities Center (the Center) has long served as a home for artists and cultural activity. In partnership with the Town of Ashland (the Town), the Center invites artists working in various media to apply for a yearlong studio residency program through a juried selection process that will provide affordable, professional studio space to local artists.

Through the Town’s support, a portion of each artist’s rent will be subsidized, allowing studios to be offered at a substantially reduced rate.

Program Goals

By providing studio space to additional artists, the Center and Ashland hope to accomplish two goals:

• Provide dedicated studio space to working artists to help take their practice to the next level
• Foster a core group of artists that will engage with the community through workshops, open studios and art shows

Selection Process
A panel of artists and arts advocates representing the Hanover Arts & Activities Center and the Town of Ashland’s Public Art Commission will serve as jurors. Selection will be based on:

• Artistic merit and quality of submitted work samples.
• Clarity of the artist’s statement and proposed use of the studio.
• Demonstrated commitment to community engagement.

No member of the jury may apply for or receive a studio.
Depending on individual space needs (solo or shared), three to five artists will be selected for the 2026 program year.

Residency Includes

• Studio space at the Hanover Arts & Activities Center from February 1, 2026 to January 31, 2027.
• Listing as a designated Arts & Culture Business in the Town of Ashland.
• Waiver of the Town of Ashland BPOL license fee for the residency year.
• Eligibility to participate in Center-led exhibitions, workshops, and programs, with opportunities for compensation.

About the Hanover Arts & Activities Center
The Hanover Arts & Activities Center, a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit located in Ashland, VA, has been a cornerstone of cultural, educational, and civic life for over a century. Originally built in 1859 as a church, the Center now serves multiple generations and diverse groups.

HAAC provides subsidized artist studios, accessible event space, and inclusive programming designed to welcome everyone, fostering arts, culture, and civic engagement while ensuring all community members can participate and feel represented.

About the Town of Ashland Public Art Commission
The Town of Ashland, through its Public Art Commission, is proud to launch an evolved version of its Arts & Culture Incentive Program. This new structure focuses on fostering artist residencies at the Hanover Arts & Activities Center, activating creative spaces in the heart of Ashland’s Arts & Culture District and expanding public access to the arts.

The Town of Ashland’s Public Art Commission is comprised of five appointed members, a staff liaison, and a liaison from Town Council. The Commission advises and makes recommendations to Town Council regarding the placement, support, and value of public artwork as a means to beautify the Town of Ashland and promote creative place-making within public spaces. 

Application Requirements

1. Resume or CV

2. Letter of Interest outlining:

• Artistic media(s)
• Years working as an artist
• How you would engage the community
• Preferred room type: shared ($200), solo ($300), either ($200/$300)
• Specific requirements/needs
• Current or past affiliations with the Hanover Arts & Activities Center or Town of Ashland Public Art Commission

3. Artist's Statement 

4. 2-5 images of relevant work
 

Eligibility Criteria

• Must reside within 30 miles of the Town of Ashland, with special consideration given to Town of Ashland residents.
• Must be 18 years or older and eligible to work in the United States.
• All disciplines welcome.
• The studio must be used a minimum of 3 days per week with the majority of the time spent in the studio allocated to artistic pursuits.
• Artists must participate in public programs such as open studios and art shows, to a reasonable degree.
• Artists must agree to pay the subsidized monthly rent of $200 for a shared studio or $300 for a solo studio.
• Artists are eligible to reapply in consecutive years but cannot be guaranteed selection in future, year-long, cycles.
• The studios are not ADA accessible at this time as they require the use of a staircase. We hope to have an ADA accessible studio for the next application period.
• The studios may not be used as a client-facing business location with the exception of displaying art to prospective buyers. For example, a musician may rehearse and record, but may not use the space to teach lessons; an artist may show their work to perspective buyers but would be required to host paid classes or workshops in another space which could be provided by the Center.