Atlantic Center for the Arts Mentoring Artist-in-Residency Program
ACA is offering FULL scholarships to all accepted artists. All residency fees, room, and board are waived; this does not include travel, transportation, and artist materials.
The three-week Residency Program brings together three “Mentoring Artists” from different disciplines, such as the visual arts (painting, sculpture, photography, film/video, and multimedia), architecture, music (composition and performance), literature, choreography, dance, performance art, and theater. Each Mentoring Artist determines the requirements and basic structure of their residency, and through an online application process, they each may select up to eight “Associate Artists” to participate in the three-week program. The essence of the program is to provide a collegial environment for artists of all disciplines where they can engage in meaningful interaction and stimulating discussions, while pursuing individual or group projects. It is an ideal setting for the exchange of ideas, the inspiration for new work, and the cross-fertilization of disciplines. The programs can include formal classes, discussions, individual meetings, individual and group critiques, collaboration, and studio time. The award-winning Leeper Studio Complex provides residents with resources such as a painting studio, sculpture studio, digital media studio, dance studio, music/recording studio, writers’ studio, black box theatre and library.
1414 Art Center Ave.
New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168
United States
Residency Program Information
Residency Program Summary
Application Information
Applicants must be over the age of 21 and must speak English.
ACA is waving the residency fee of $900. All residency fees, room, and board are waived; this does not include travel, transportation, and artist materials.
Accessibility
Of the 28 rooms, four are designed to be handicap accessible suites with required accessibility features as well as an extra bed for a caretaker. Please notify an ACA staff member if you require the use of one of these units during a program, or if you have further questions about housing.
Much of our studio complex, restrooms, and housing is accessible with limited mobility, including handicap parking. We don't have handicap-operated door openers thought our complex.
Going into remote areas of our property is not accessible.
Housing & Accomodation
Studio & Facilities
The Doris Leeper Studio Complex include the following:
Joan James Harris Theater: The 2,500 square feet black box theater acts as a functional work and performance space for artists-in-residence. The design concept is to provide a space that can be manipulated to fit the changing needs of each residency. Events and performances are held in the round, as well as in a traditional theater-style seating arrangement. The theater is equipped with a professional lighting grid that can also be customized for each residency and performance.
Charlotte Battle Everbach Painting Studio: The 1,885-square foot Painting Studio is fitted with large northern exposure windows and light monitors that can be opened to provide natural ventilation and light. Replaceable homosote panels let artists attach or mount many materials to the walls. Work tables and portable walls make the space extremely versatile and accommodating. Typically the painting studio is organized into a collegiate style arrangement of 6-8 cubicles with multiple clamp lights for each space.
Jim and Alexis Pugh Sculpture Studio: The 1,233 square foot Sculpture Studio gives artists-in-residence the space and equipment required to undertake ambitious projects. The space is the only concrete studio in the complex, which is symbolic of the enduring materials used by sculptors. The roof is designed with a long overhang that shelters an outdoor work patio. With its three roll-up doors opened, the space flows easily from interior to exterior. Large glass windows and louvers maximize working light, while wind scoops provide ventilation for an active studio. There are many tools in this studio for working with wood, metal, and many other materials. Other specialized tools can also be requested during ACA Residencies.
Helene B. Roberson Dance Studio: The 2,609 square foot dance studio is outfitted with a sprung wood floor and an expansive, wall-length mirror. The space also features magnificent sliding glass doors, which offer a great view to the lush landscape, access to a semi-private deck, and options for controlling the climate of the studio. The sides of the studio adjacent to more public areas are built with sand-blasted windows to provide privacy and diffuse lighting for dancers and choreographers.
Ruth Scorgie Hubbard Music Studio: The 1,000 square-foot Music Studio was designed to be both insular and uplifting. The tall, vertical space is outfitted with a large skylight that connects the musician to the Florida sky. Permanent and mobile sound panels are installed to reduce reverberation and to allow musicians to control the aural qualities of the room. Another smaller, isolated recording room allows multiple musicians to work on multiple projects simultaneously.
The Music Studio is equipped with a Steinway Model B Grand Piano and a wide range of recording equipment for musicians and multimedia artists. For a complete list of audio equipment, please contact Residency Coordinator Ivan Riascos iriascos@atlanticcenterforthearts.org.
Jean and Fredrick Raffa Writing Studio: The Jean and Fredrick Raffa Writing Studio was named in honor of longtime ACA friends, members, and supporters Jeanie and Fredrick Raffa in 2013. The studio was remodeled and includes all the amenities needed for writers of all disciplines. The 540 sq ft room features a 12 foot tall window overlooking the nature of ACA, a coffee bar, reading loft, conference table with seating for 10 and equipment for research and printing materials.
Wilkinson Resource Library: Overlooking Turnbull Bay, the 876-square foot library, provides a large reading room surrounded by shelves of books, periodicals, scores, CD’s, and videos. A spiral staircase leads to a loft that provides comfortable seating and a view of the tranquil bay. The library also contains a computer and wireless internet for online research, as well as a video viewing station. The library’s collection is continually growing through generous donations from artists in residence and members of the ACA community.
Thompson Field House Media Lounge: The Field House is one of the original working and living spaces of artists in residence. After the construction of the Leeper Studio Complex, the Field House has evolved into a media lounge that offers a 50” HDTV connected to popular streaming services allowing artists to share their multimedia projects and favorite films in a comfortable setting.