The Resident Artist Program

UPDATE 4/26/2021: District Clay Scales Back 2021-2022 Resident Artist Program

Unfortunately, as the Center plans its emergence from the COVID era, we have had to cut back our Resident Artist program because we are losing two of the three resident artist studios at the Center. 

The remaining artist slot has been reserved for Ara Koh, who will continue as a second year resident artist at District Clay. 

The reason is complicated but we need to combine four studios into a new larger wheel room once social districting measures are relaxed. This includes studios currently being used by resident artists and by private studio artists.  Doing this will allow us to restore our gallery and library space which was turned into a second socially distanced wheel room during the pandemic. 

The key point for us is that maintaining a second wheel room is  essential to District Clay's financial success in a post COVID world.

We are hopeful that in the future new space will open up in our building that would allow us to again devote studio space to visiting artists and regret that we cannot be more accommodating at the present time.

To see our past resident artists, click here.

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Sharing the Knowledge

Resident Artists are expected to be collaborative in nature, to work with DCC artists,  give a lecture to our students on their work and they will also have the opportunity to hold an exhibition in the DCC Gallery at the end of their session.  Teaching specialized classes or creating a workshop are an option if income producing activities are of interest. 

Ceramic Artists from Everywhere

DCC encourages resident artists from both the US and internationally to consider applying.

Why consider Washington DC as a place to be a resident artist?

1.  We have lots and lots of art:  

Washington DC is the home to more museums per capita than any city in the world.  Of special note for ceramic artists, DC offers the Smithsonian's Renwick Craft Museum, the Sackler and Freer Galleries and the National American Indian Museum, all of which house important ceramic collections.  Other major museums include the Hirshhorn Museum, the National Museum of Art and the American Art Museum, the Portrait Gallery, the Kreeger Museum and the Phillips Collection. The DCC has established a special collaborative relationship with the Sackler Gallery.

The DCC is also within driving distance of Baltimore Clayworks and the Clay Studio in Philadelphia.  Both cities also house major art museums.  New York City is a 4 hour drive and Seagrove in North Carolina is a five hour drive.  The Washington DC metro area, particularly Northern Virginia and the Charlottesville area, is home to many potters and ceramic artists, including woodfire artists.

2.  DC is one of the most "bohemian" cities in the country.  (Who knew?) 

According to the "Bohemian" index, DC ranks third in the country for working artists, musicians, writers, designers and entertainers.  We have literally dozens of theaters, amazing Jazz clubs, several symphonies and a beautiful new baseball stadium, though a truly lousy baseball team.

3.  DC is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the country.  

With dozens of embassies, more than ten universities and colleges, a thriving downtown scene, dozens of interesting historical sites and one of the most dynamic restaurant locales in the country, there is lots to see, learn, do and EAT!

4.  Getting around is easy.

A car is nice but is not essential.  DC has a first class subway system, an extensive bus system and is a bike friendly city with a bike share program and many bike paths.  Best of all, its mostly flat.