Current Opportunity | Circularity at Play

Overview

This Artist in Residency (AiR) opportunity gives visiting artists the space, support, and funds they need to complete a community-based project.

We are thrilled to introduce Circularity at Play, our AiR opportunity for 2025, illuminating the circularity in textile manufacturing in Western North Carolina.

Team up with The Industrial Commons to highlight our ecosystem partner Material Return (MR), a platform for textile sustainability, based in Morganton, NC. After site visits to MR, interviews, and a period of research, the artist will develop a series of five, fiber-based works of art to display in the MR facility. The resident will also demonstrate their technics and share their process with k-8th grade students through the TOSS afterschool, and school workshops. The work will be exhibited in our end-of-year event, Dec 5th, and then permanently gifted and displayed at The Industrial Commons.

The objective of this project is to communicate the vision of a circular economy to our region, impacting at least 2,000 individuals through the display and presentation of a creative, place-based project.

Circularity here is not just about environmental sustainability. It’s about systems change rooted in participation and possibility for people and the planet. It offers a compelling counter to rural brain drain by showing that meaningful, creative careers can grow right here.

Located in Morganton, NC, this residency experience is embedded in the Western Piedmont region, historically known as the textile capital of the world. Along with this rich tradition of furniture and textile production comes the steep decline of prosperity when NAFTA  was ratified in the 1990s; Rural, southern communities such as Morganton face many challenges including population decline and poverty due to disinvestment: The median household income in Burke County is $42,516, one in five people have not graduated high school, and our poverty rate is 18.1% (as compared to the 13.1% national average).

When challenges arise, opportunities for innovation are always present and we are thrilled to introduce this residency to illuminate the remarkable work being done in Burke County to introduce reinvigorate textile manufacturing, transforming our entire community.

Residency Details

Project Development

The artist is responsible for developing and creating five fiber-based works of art that describe “circularity” as practiced at Material Return:

  • The series must correspond to Material Return’s practice of circularity.

  • Art must be created with 90% recycled materials (available through Material Return and TOSS). See the full list here.

  • The series must be designed for an exhibition

  • Periodic and ongoing critics will be hosted with the Advisory Board; their suggestions and feedback should guide the development of this project. 

  • There must be thoughtful incorporation of Material Return’s branding motifs, colors, imagery. 

Community Engagement Criteria

The artist will develop and deliver a workshop to share their process and project with TOSS afterschool students and families during the end-of-year party. 

  • Correspond with the art installations

  • Follow a specific template TOSS will provide

  • Feature written instructions in English and Spanish

  • Remain accessible to parents/laypersons for instructional use in the future 

Installation & Display

Artist is responsible for leading volunteers in the installation of the art for the end-of-year event and in its final destination at The Industrial Commons.

Documentation Criteria

The artist will be responsible for documenting the project with the following:

  • 10 curated photos of the artist’s process 

  • 3 videos of the artist’s process

  • 10 curated photos of the final exhibition

  • 2 videos of the final exhibition 

Budget

  • $6,200 Stipend (4 weeks on-site, 1 week hybrid = 20 days- $31 per hour)

  • $3,260 Per Diem - Living/Travel Stipend

  • $300 - Material Budget

Timetable

  • Oct 27- 31: Orientation and prep (Hybrid - onsite and remote)

  • Nov 3-7: Work week #1 - Studio development, documentation (On-site only)

  • Nov 10-14: (On-site only): Work week #2 - Studio development, documentation, lesson development (On-site only)

  • Nov 17-21: Work week #3; Studio refinement, documentation, lesson development (On-site only)

  • Dec 1-5: Work week #4; Student demos, clean up, Exhibition (On-site only)

225 hours total

Application Details

Program Coordinator: Kathryn Ervin
Contact Email: kathryn@tosstudio.org
Call Type: Fiber art
Eligibility: International
Age: 21+
On-site/Virtual: On-site and remote
Location: Morganton, North Carolina
Application window: May 1st – June 1st
Selection Announcement: June 27th
Project timeline: Oct 27-Dec 5th

Application Requirements

  1. Cover Letter: In 500 words or less share a statement of your qualifications, project proposal, and three references (including their email and phone). This cover letter should demonstrate 1) Why you might be a good candidate for this residency based on our eligibility criteria and 2) How you would approach this project.

  2. Resume or CV including 3, professional references

  3. Portfolio of 10 works in fiber art

Eligibility
We are seeking someone with a passion for art, creative placemaking, rural communities, students, and teaching. A good candidate:

  • Must have a driver's license

  • Must pass a background check (for working with children)

  • Must have excellent, proactive communication and problem-solving skills

  • Must be able to manage project to completion

  • Must be motivated, open, and willing to share their art with others

  • The following would be a plus: bilingual in English and Spanish, 3-5 years of work experience, proficiencies in social media and documentation strategies.

TOSS does not discriminate in its programs and activities on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, religion, creed, national origin, age, and/or disability.

Selection Priorities
Selection will be made by the TOSS Advisory Board in accordance with our selection priority areas:

Student Engagement: Applicant has experience and enthusiasm for working with students

Values Alignment: Applicant expresses an affiliation with, deep care of, or advocacy for black, Indigenous, and people of color

Artistic Skill: Applicant deploys the methods and materials of an artistic medium to create visual art. Art should be accessible and relevant to audiences in our community

Organization: Artist demonstrates an ability to communicate effectively and organize information clearly

Work Ethic: Exhibits a strong work ethic and capacity to execute a complicated project