ACRE

An attentive group faces a speaker in front of a foggy lush green backdrop at the bottom of a sloping hill.

An attentive group faces a speaker in front of a foggy lush green backdrop at the bottom of a sloping hill.

Two rows of people face each other in the grass on a sunny day, each person stretches their arms in a different direction reaching out to the sides or up to the sky.

Two rows of people face each other in the grass on a sunny day, each person stretches their arms in a different direction reaching out to the sides or up to the sky.

View from the head of a long shared table in a screened-in kitchen flooded with daylight where several people facing one another eat and talk.

View from the head of a long shared table in a screened-in kitchen flooded with daylight where several people facing one another eat and talk.

A black person with a head scarf seated at a clay throwing wheel, shaping a ring of wet clay with their hands.

A black person with a head scarf seated at a clay throwing wheel, shaping a ring of wet clay with their hands.

A person with short, dark hair speaks and holds a block of clay in front of a group formed in a semi-circle around a table with several cone-shaped pieces of clay, a spray bottle, and a rolling pin.

A person with short, dark hair speaks and holds a block of clay in front of a group formed in a semi-circle around a table with several cone-shaped pieces of clay, a spray bottle, and a rolling pin.

A large group of people gathered at dusk sitting on tree stumps and log benches around a glowing fire pit.

A large group of people gathered at dusk sitting on tree stumps and log benches around a glowing fire pit.

Four people stand over a frame of handmade paper drying on a screen on the ground.

Four people stand over a frame of handmade paper drying on a screen on the ground.

ACRE

Steuben, WI, United States

ACRE’s Residency Program takes place every summer in the Driftless region of Wisconsin. Set on 1,000 acres of wetland, hills, and farmland, the residency hosts artists who live and work in a communal setting that includes expansive work spaces, kitchen serving three meals per day, performance stage, wood shop, art and tech facility, and sound, fiber, screenprinting, metalwork, and ceramics studios. Residents are encouraged to balance their time between producing work, contemplating their practice, and engaging with the community. The Visiting Artist program invites established artists to conduct studio visits and present lectures and other experimental programs. Studio staff also offer demos and in-depth workshops to residents. Each year ACRE welcomes approximately 60 emerging, often underrepresented, artists of all disciplines to attend one of three 14-day residency sessions. Residents are selected through a rigorous review process by respected panelists who work in the visual arts from Chicago and across the country.

ACRE practices a participatory leadership structure that enriches our operations and programs, by inviting participants to become key decision-makers for the organization, facilitating community-centered evaluation, soliciting feedback, and practicing a shared dedication to making iterative improvements. Every artist who has participated in the residency is invited to return as staff, serve on a committee, and ultimately direct the future of the organization.

Contact

48193 County Rd E
Steuben, WI 54657
United States

Year Founded
2010
Context
Rural
Residency Structure
Stand-alone
Residency Program Type
Studio-based (with housing)
Community-engaged
Experiential
Residency Length
2 weeks - 2 weeks
Languages
English
Average Number of Artists in Residence at a Time
25
Collaborative Residency
May apply as a team
Discipline
Drawing
Interdisciplinary Arts
Mixed Media
Painting
Printmaking
Sculpture
Visual Arts
Book Arts
Ceramics/Clay Arts/Pottery
Digital Fabrication
Installation Arts
Paper Arts
Textile & Fiber Arts/Weaving
Woodworking
Criticism
New Genres
Playwriting
Poetry
Writing
Choreography
Dance
Performance Art
Music
Animation
Augmented Reality
Computing
Digital Media
Documentary
Electronic Arts
Film
Moving Image
Multimedia Arts
Photography
Sound Art
TV + Radio
Virtual Reality
Graphic Design
Illustration
Environmental Arts
Public Art
Social Practice
Storytelling
Biology
Ecology
Environmentalism/Conservation
Science
Art Conservation
Art Education
Art History
Philosophy
Companions
Pets are not allowed
Country of Residence
Open to artists based anywhere in the world
Family Friendly
N/A
Stage of Career
Any stage of career
Emerging
Additional Expectations/Opportunities
Participate in open studio with fellow residents
Teach in studio
Lead workshop for fellow residents
Lead a skill share
How does your residency program support artists?
Opportunity to be in another context
Opportunity to travel
Unstructured time
Access to studio space to create new work
Access to equipment, specialized facilities and/or technical support
Access to training on new artistic techniques and/or apprenticeship
Inspiration from natural environment
Opportunities to collaborate with other artists/residents
Opportunities to develop relationships with other artists/residents
Opportunities to exhibit or perform new work
Additional Eligibility Information
Number of Artists Accepted in Most Current Year
60
Total Applicant Pool in Most Current Year
700
Artist Stipend
0
US Dollar (USD)
Travel Stipend/Material Stipends
Residency Fees
700
US Dollar (USD)
Fee Details

Subsidized $50/day residency fee, totaling $700 per 14-day session. 

Grant/Scholarship/other Funding Support
350
US Dollar (USD)
700
US Dollar (USD)
Grant/Scholarship/Other Funding Support Details

To qualify for a Scholarship, applicants must meet the following requirements:

  • All applicants must be at least 18 years of age.

  • Apply to the ACRE Residency Program by program deadline.

  • Indicate eligibility for Scholarship and complete the financial aid section on the ACRE application form.

Scholarships are not guaranteed. 

Visit our Scholarships page for more information on special scholarship opportunities. 

Application Fee
40
US Dollar (USD)
Application Type
Open application
What does your program provide during the residency experience?
Pre-orientation
Manual / handbook before arrival
Communication before arrival to discuss accommodations, medical conditions, or other health needs
Orientation upon arrival
Contact information and available accommodations for programs, events, and campus
Full description of accessibility on campus
Links to resources, effective practices, grievance procedures, etc.
Materials in large print
Written and or hard copies of text being presented
Accessible seating
Staff/volunteer reading information aloud
Staff/volunteer giving directions
Staff/volunteer providing guidance to help locate facilities or activities
Contact info for accessibility requests for event/programming
Is your campus wheelchair accessible?
Partially Accessible
Additional Accessibility Information

ACRE is committed to being open and accessible to all artists. We are eager to work with you directly to ensure we will be able to meet your needs. 

The residency is located on a 1000-acre farm in Wisconsin’s Driftless Region. Living, dining, and studio spaces are communal.

The residency is comprised of several main buildings and several outbuildings located around the residency property. Residents regularly travel between buildings for meals, to use facilities, or participate in workshops, performances, or other activities during the session.

While the main buildings are wheelchair accessible, the property's terrain and some of the farm structures and outbuildings may not be accessible to everyone. Specifically, a communal studio area and the looms for our fibers department are located on the second floor of a building with no elevator.

Each facility is managed by a volunteer artist tech who is able, to the best of their ability, to help with studio activities and projects that may require physical assistance. There is a volunteer staff person “on-call” at all times to provide assistance to residents including shuttles around campus, assistance with basic navigation, and emergency assistance if necessary. 

All of our sleeping accommodations and the majority of our facilities are ground-floor accessible. The majority of the common areas including our dining hall/kitchen, main lodge, and library are wheelchair accessible.

We are prepared to produce or facilitate accommodations such as large print materials, wheelchair ramps, travel assistance, adjusted or private sleeping accommodations, and any other actions that our volunteer staff are reasonably able to fulfill.

Service animals can be accommodated on a case by case basis. All service animals must have up to date paperwork and a current vet check and flea treatment. 

Environmental Irritants and Allergies Notice:

ACRE’s location is a rural farm, which means that there is increased exposure to the ample flora and fauna on our campus, including in our many open air buildings. In addition, a farm dog and a number of farm cats live on the property. Along with potential animal dander, those with moderate to severe allergies should be prepared to encounter insects, plants and grasses. 

The buildings at ACRE are constructed with a majority of recycled materials, primarily constructed with salvaged wood. When in combination with humid summer conditions some building spaces can become musty and may be uncomfortable for guests with strong sensitivities to dust and odors. Every room is cleaned before each session and has access to fresh air via screened windows. Additional cleaning supplies are available to use at any time. 

 

Caregiver/Aide/PCA
Housing available on campus
Accessibility Contact Name
Kate Bowen
Accessibility Contact Email
kate@acreresidency.org
Accessibility Contact Phone Number
Other Services/Aids Offered in Residency + Other Programming

We work with each artist to discuss one on one how we can best work together to ensure that their time at ACRE is a full experience. This is an opportunity to set expectations, discuss needs, and open communication. We aim to make necessary material changes to the space in advance and address needs as they arise in the moment. 

Please briefly describe the facilities and areas of the campus that are NOT accessible.

While the main buildings are wheelchair accessible, the property's terrain and some of the farm structures and outbuildings may not be accessible to everyone. Specifically, a communal studio area and the looms for our fibers department are located on the second floor of a building with no elevator.

Type of Housing
Shared bedroom
Accessible Housing
ADA Compliant
Housing for Companion And/or Caregivers
Housing available
Accessible Communal Spaces
ADA Compliant
Common/Communal Spaces Information

Most residents stay in the sprawling Steuben Lodge, which houses around 30 people and contains a large central area that includes a library with limited wireless internet, breakfast area, computers, printers and scanners for everyone’s use.

The lodge contains 12 two-story rooms that can sleep two-three at a time, each with its own bathroom and kitchenette. Each room opens onto a porch that can be used for outdoor studio space. 

All of our sleeping accommodations and the majority of our facilities are ground-floor accessible. The majority of the common areas including our dining hall/kitchen, main lodge, and library are wheelchair accessible.

All common restrooms and a selection of private restrooms within sleeping accommodations are wheelchair accessible. Additionally, all common restrooms are gender-inclusive. 

**If you are interested in learning more about ACRE's COVID protocols and how we are safely operating, please email info@acreresidency.org for an informational document.**

Additional Housing Information
No laundry access
WIFI available in housing
Meals Provided
All meals
Some meals (at least 2 meals provided)
Additional Meals Information
Vegan meal options can be requested
Vegetarian meal options can be requested
Gluten-free meal options can be requested
Food allergies and restrictions can be accommodated
Snack and beverage provided
Computer/Internet Access
Computer and internet connection provided in common area (shared)
Wireless Internet (WIFI)
Studios/Facilities Details

ACRE Residency Program Informational Brochure

The majority of ACRE studio facilities are outdoors or partially outdoors and communal. The facilities, equipment, and tools have been purchased, donated, gathered, and/or built over time by the evolving and rotating community that produces the residency each year. The residency staff are volunteers who are alumni of the program. These artists manage, maintain, operate, and curate the residency's technical areas, kitchen, and programming. The staff changes each session and each year. Each area has a basic (or introductory) set of tools and materials in addition to more specialized tools and materials depending on the expertise and experience of the artists who have contributed to the department over the year and during each session. This model produces opportunities to collaborate, exchange, and experiment with new materials and processes. Artists seeking "state of the art" facilities for finished production may find our offerings limiting or insufficient for their needs. 

Studios/Special Equipment
Shared Studios
Dedicated Studio/Shop Technicians - Full Time
Performance/Presentation Facilities
Ceramics Workspace
Electric Wheels
Slab Roller
Clay Mixers
Raku Kiln
Electric Kiln
Soldering Workspace
Lighting Studio/Green Screen
Printers + Scanner
Photo + Video Editing Suite
Music/Media/Recording Facilities
Easels
Printmaking Workspaces
Drying Racks
Hot Plates
Silkscreen Studio
Large Exposure Unit
Washout Room
Textiles Workspace
Floor Looms
Fiber Arts Workspace
Padded Screen Print Tables
Dedicated Wood Shop
Woodworking Tools
Tablesaw
Bandsaw
Router Table
Jointer
Planer
Wood Vises And Wood Working Table
Studios/Facilities Accessibility
ADA Compliant
Partially Accessible (50% or more)
Studio Support/Tech
Studio/facility orientation provided
Studio support provided by staff
Studio support provided by dedicated tech
Tech hours