The Leather Archives & Museum announces the inaugural Emerging Artist in Residence Program for 2025. A stipend of $2,000 will be awarded to one visual artist who will have prioritized access to LA&M’s unique archival collections in order to create new work. Up to an additional $2,000 of travel reimbursement will also be provided to cover costs associated with visiting LA&M for research and consultation. A small studio space will be offered at the LA&M during your visits. The award is available to new and emerging artists who are without gallery/professional representation and have limited experience of exhibition on a national scale. Applicants must have a specific project that can be supported by the LA&M collections.
LA&M seeks proposals which will use its archival and research collections to create new works related to the history and culture of leather, fetish, kink and BDSM. Artists must be prepared to create original work that can be completed during the time frame of the program and submitted for exhibition.
Important Dates
- January 20, 2025 – applications begin
- March 7, 2025 – application deadline
- April 18, 2025 – notification of award
- May 1, 2025 – April 30, 2026 – work conducted, completed and prepared for exhibition
Application Process
Your complete application package in the form of a single PDF by the deadline and must include all of the following:
- Cover letter to include applicant name, mailing address, phone number and email address.
- 10 work samples, in image or video format. Video or video excerpts should be 5 minutes or less and shared as a link and film still in PDF. One video will count as 2 image submissions (ie. 5 videos = 10 images)
- Project Relevant Experience. Provide a brief description (1-2 sentences) and date for 3-4 artistic, personal, political, professional, or social change-based experiences relevant to this project. This is not a traditional resume and should reflect defining moments for you as an artist or cultural producer.
- Brief narrative responses to the following questions:
- What is your interest in the LA&M Emerging Artist in Residence Program?
- Will your work build on an existing project or will you begin something new?
- How would this experience benefit your development as an artist?
- What specific LA&M resources do you anticipate using?
- What is the anticipated outcome of your work?
- How will your work speak to, inform, or give voice to marginalized individuals or communities?
- How did you hear about the Emerging Artist in Residence Program at the Leather Archives & Museum? (This is for planning purposes only, and will not be used to evaluate applications.)
The application packet must be emailed to online@leatherarchives.org. An email verification will be sent upon receipt of your application. All application materials must be received by 5pm central time, March 7, 2025. The LA&M Emerging Artist Program selection panel is composed of board members, artists, activists and LA&M staff.
Selection Criteria
- Applicant’s demonstrated experience in creating compelling work, as evidenced by work samples submitted.
- Subject of work strongly supported by LA&M collections.
- Proposed work connects with an underrepresented or marginalized individual or group in a meaningful and intentional way.
- Evidence of anticipated reliability and authenticity as supported in a letter of reference to be submitted by applicants who move beyond the first round for final consideration.
Program Requirements
- Visit LA&M during the one year term of appointment to consult with materials.
- Consult with the LA&M archivist prior to and during the visit to coordinate access to materials.
- Participate in at least one public program (virtual or in person) to share findings to date, progress, and work concepts.
- Participate in a virtual conversation with related professionals to discuss completed work to be scheduled at mutually convenient times.
- Public sharing of progress and images on Instagram during residency.
- Residency, research and work completed by April 30, 2026.
- Exhibition of final work within 3 months of end of program, to be coordinated and managed by LA&M staff.
Program Commitments
- We understand racial history and the trauma it has caused and acknowledge its presence throughout systems, norms, practices and policies.
- We focus on solutions that build power (political, economic, civic, community) for the most sharply impacted communities and people.
- We shift and share power, program, & resources.
- We adopt anti-racist and racial justice language, protocols & practices.
- We shift culture and narrative.