Residency at the Museum
2025 Residency Applications
Open January 30, 2025 – February 28, 2025
2025 APPLICATIONS ARE OPENED
There is an application fee of $25.00 to be paid at the time of submission. Applications will not be accepted without payment.
Review the details below about accommodation and expectations before applying.
About the Residency at the Museum (RATM) Program
Launched in 2023 by the Imperial Calcasieu Museum (ICM), the Residency at the Museum (RATM) program is a nine-month artist residency designed to foster a creative incubator space. This program provides artists with a funded studio space and monetary resources to develop their artistic endeavors while immersing them in a supportive and collaborative community. In turn, the artists receive a unique opportunity to gain exposure, make connections with the community, and help educate the public about art.
RATM artists are given the unique opportunity to engage with arts professionals, partner organizations, and other supporters of the arts within the Lake Charles community. Located in the heart of downtown Lake Charles, RATM offers its resident artists an exceptional platform to connect with the public and inspire creativity.
Throughout their residency, artists are spotlighted through advertising campaigns tailored to their specific niches. In addition to these benefits, artists participate in two group exhibitions held the year following their residency: one at ICM and another at Historic City Hall. These exhibitions allow the artists to showcase the culmination of their work and reach a broader audience.
Eligibility is currently only open to Southwest Louisiana or Southeast Texas-based applicants.
Residency Outline
April 1 – December 31, 2025
Residents are granted studios located at 726 Ryan St., Suite C, Lake Charles, LA 70601.
Resident Artists that are accepted will receive a one-time bonus of $500.
Resident Artists are granted a stipend of $600 per month.
Residents are self-directed and self-sufficient in the studio without technical or production needs from the residency.
Qualifications
Applicants must identify as a visual artist and showcase a portfolio of work commensurate with a serious commitment to artistic practice and live in the Southwest Louisiana or Southeast Texas area as their primary residence. Applicants must be able to pass a background check before being admitted into the program.
Applicants must be 21 years or older.
Selection Process
Artists are selected to attend the residency by the RATM Jurors. The jurors review all applications submitted to the program. Initial selection is based on the merit of the artist’s portfolio, proposal, and other application questions. After the initial selection is complete, qualifying artists will be invited to conduct virtual interviews with the Jurors. The final selection is based on a holistic review of each candidate.
Program Requirements
As part of the RATM program, artists are expected to meet the following requirements:
- Studio Hours: Commit to 20 studio hours per month, during which artists will be available for public interaction.
- Public Workshop/Presentation: Prepare and deliver one public workshop or presentation/lecture. These events will be held at McNeese State University, courtesy of the Visual Arts Department. Dates to be announced.
- Saturday Open Houses: Participate in at least five of the nine monthly Saturday Open Houses, providing visitors the chance to engage with the artists and their work.
- Participation in Specific Programming:
- Culinary Canvas (May 1, 2025): Resident artists will collaborate with culinary chefs to design visual elements for the featured dishes of the evening.
- Lighting of the Oak (October 24, 2025): Attend as guest luminaries at the Museum’s annual fundraiser.
- Art in the Parks: Participate in community-centered art initiatives. Resident Artists can choose 4 out of 9 Art in the Park programs to participate in.
- Palette and Pour: Each resident artist will participate in one of the three Palette and Pour events hosted by Historic City Hall. Event dates: May 14, August TBD, and November 5.
- Conduct Clause: The Resident Artists agree to uphold the conduct standards of the Imperial Calcasieu Museum, including:
- Avoiding actions that could bring disrepute, scandal, or negative publicity to the Artist or ICM.
- Abiding by all Federal, State, and Local laws.
If the Artist violates this provision, ICM reserves the right to terminate the residency immediately, without notice or payment of the remaining stipend.
- Copyright and Promotion: Resident Artists will retain all copyrights to their work. The artists grants ICM permission to photograph and promote their work for non-commercial purposes, including marketing and documentation. The artists will be credited as the creator and copyright owner of all works in any promotional materials.
Timeline
January 30: Application window opens.
February 28: Application window closes at midnight.
March 3 – 14: Applications reviewed.
March 18: Notifications sent out.
March 20: Interviews with candidates.
March 25: Notifications sent out.
March 28: Public announcement.
Meet the Selection Jurors
Timothy Bush, Chief Marketing Officer, Visit Lake Charles
Timothy Bush is the Chief Marketing Officer at Visit Lake Charles, leading destination marketing, brand management, communications, research, and creative services. With over 20 years in the tourism industry, he has held leadership roles at OneSpartanburg, Inc., Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Tourism, Visit Macon, and Experience Ruston. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism with a concentration in Public Relations from the University of Louisiana at Monroe. A passionate foodie, Timothy enjoys discovering new culinary experiences.
Gerri Hobdy, Principal Consultant of Pleroma LLC
Gerri Hobdy is a dedicated leader in arts, culture, and community transformation, with a career spanning nonprofit leadership, government service, and advocacy. She has championed equity and justice through roles at the Power Coalition for Equity and Justice, Baton Rouge Community College, the Baton Rouge Area Foundation, and the Louisiana Office of Cultural Development, where she spearheaded initiatives like the African American Heritage Trail and Louisiana’s Percent for Art program. With expertise in grantmaking, disaster response, and cultural preservation, she continues to drive systemic change as principal consultant of Pleroma LLC, supporting organizations committed to justice, equity, and empowerment.
Lynn Reynolds, Department Head of Visual Arts Department, McNeese State University
Lynn Reynolds is a Professor of Visual Arts and Chair of the Department of Visual Arts at McNeese State University. He also serves as the Director of the McNeese National Works on Paper Exhibition. A recipient of the Louisiana Artist Fellowship, the Robert Jones Endowed Professorship, and the Juliet Hardtner Endowed Professorship, Reynolds has been recognized for his contributions to the arts. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Visual Arts from McNeese State University and a Master of Fine Arts in Photography from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
Lauren Kelp & Leslie Westendorf, Midnight Gallery
Lauren Kelp and Leslie Westendorf are the dynamic duo behind Midnight Gallery, a vibrant, womanowned contemporary art space based in Cincinnati, Ohio. Lauren, a seasoned creative force with decades of experience working with brands like Martha Stewart and Kendall Jackson, combines her artistic vision with a knack for strategic storytelling. As an artist and mom, Lauren’s passion lies in connecting people through the power of art.
Leslie brings over 15 years of expertise in interior design and digital strategy to the table, along with a deep appreciation for handmade, collectible works. A devoted art collector herself, she’s passionate about forging meaningful connections between artists and buyers. Together, Lauren and Leslie have crafted Midnight Gallery into a haven for modern collectors, celebrating bold colors, rich tones, and playful compositions while championing living artists who see the world through a vivid lens.
Kelsey Livingston, Director of Exhibitions, Baton Rouge Gallery
As an artist, Kelsey earned her MFA in Studio Art from Louisiana State University and her BFA from California State University Long Beach. Her artwork has been exhibited internationally and she has been awarded grants and scholarships through the Joan Mitchell Foundation, the Louisiana Division of the Arts, CERF+, and others. Prior to joining BRG, Kelsey served as the Director of Visual Arts at the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge. Kelsey also has a record of service with area nonprofit organizations including The National Alliance on Mental Illness.
At Baton Rouge Gallery, Kelsey is the Director of Exhibitions, and further develops the quality, engagement, and reach of the gallery’s monthly exhibitions and year-round cultural programming.
Meet our RATM Project Coordinator
Robbie Austin
Robbie Austin has over three decades of experience teaching and exhibiting art. He has spent the last twenty years at St. Louis Catholic and McNeese State University where he serves as the Art Department Chair and Visiting Lecturer, respectively. Robbie is represented by Mont Art House in Houston, TX; Mix Haus Gallery in Comfort, TX; and Midnight Gallery in Cincinnati, OH. He holds an MFA in sculpture from UCLA and a BFA from CalArts. Robbie’s art has been reviewed in the NY Times and featured in BranD Magazine: Hong Kong Design. He has been a Visual Art Fellow with the Edward F. Albee Foundation in Montauk, NY, and a two-time Resident at the Imperial Calcasieu Museum.
Testimonies from previous RATM Artists
Camille Vizena, 2023 Resident Artist
As an emerging artist who recently graduated with their bachelors, the opportunity the Residency at the Museum provided was highly influential. The residency provided me with a local studio space, a monthly stipend, and a creative environment that allowed me to push my work in new and exciting directions. This all motivated me to establish a hard-working creative practice and to reach for new prospects even after the residency concluded.
I was able to expand the scale and complexity of my printmaking work, creating 2 ft x 3 ft reduction woodcuts, which I would not have been able to do without the ample space provided. The community connections I made during the residency were also invaluable, meeting a wide variety of people not only through the research for my body of work but also with the exposure during and after. The exhibition space provided for showing the Cohort One work at the completion of the residency was a truly exciting and unique experience for an emerging artist, and I hope that many other younger artists just starting out are also selected for this opportunity.
Bit Thompson, 2024 Resident Artist
The Residency at the Museum was everything I needed as an artist. Having a space to create and share with other artists and a stipend to help offset costs sparked so much joy and freedom to experiment and explore. It allowed us to work within the community and create some great connections. I experienced so much growth as an artist in the last nine months, and I’m excited to continue to build on everything this residency gave me.
Lyd Walls, 2024 Resident Artist
As my residency comes to a close, it has me thinking about how much has shifted these past nine months. This time has been full of growth- not just as an artist but as a person.
I’ve learned to express myself with more honesty and courage, to trust my creative instincts and to allow myself to take risks in my work and in how I show up in the world. I’ve pushed myself to step outside of my comfort zone, and in doing so, I’ve found new ways to express myself through art.
This experience helped me reconnect with my spirit on a deep level and that connection has given me more strength, courage and a deeper sense of being grounded in who I am- in art and in life. The time spent with Robbie Ausin and Bit Thompson has been truly special. The connections we’ve made, the support we’ve shared and the inspiration we’ve given each other will have a permanent place in my heart. I’m walking away transformed and excited for what’s next.
Residency at the Museum
2024-2025 Submissions Open: February 1, 2024
Deadline to Apply: February 29, 2024
Winners Announced: March 2024
Number of winners: 3
Apply here: Residency at the Museum Application
Founded in 2023, Residence at the Museum (RATM) is an artist residency program administered by the Imperial Calcasieu Museum of Lake Charles, Louisiana. We’re a program that fosters a creative incubator space for artists where they are afforded time, space, and monetary resources to develop their artistic endeavors over the course of a nine-month residency. Our residents will have opportunities to engage with arts professionals, partner organizations, and other supporters of the arts in the community. These residencies are project-based and engagement-driven, so prospective applicants should be aware that they will occasionally be forward-facing to the public.
Artists selected for this program are at all stages of their careers and work in media including drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, sculpture, film, video, new media, mixed media, book arts, and graphic design.
RATM fosters creativity through opportunities for residents to examine their own artistic practices in close proximity to other creatives. Impromptu studio visits, discussions, critique sessions, and an overarching approach with cooperation at the forefront serve to imbue our spaces with a creative energy and enthusiasm infectious to the community at large.
Located in the heart of downtown Lake Charles, RATM finds itself nestled in an area primed for creatives to take advantage of the space. Our studios are within walking distance of food, entertainment, and other cultural resources, and will serve as a fulcrum of Lake Charles’ artistic cultural development.
9 Month Residencies:
1 April 2024 – 31 December 2024
$600/month stipend
$500 up front payment to help offset the cost of supplies etc.
If you have any questions, please email residencies@lcicm.org
Qualifications
Applicants must 1) Identify as a visual artist and showcase a portfolio of work commensurate with a serious commitment to an artistic practice, and 2)live in the Lake Charles area as your primary residence. Applicants must be able to pass a background check before being admitted into the program.
Applicants must be 21 years or older.
Application Process
Applicants will be required to submit a minimum of 10 images of recently completed works. Pieces that belong to a unified body of work are preferable but not required. If beginning a fresh body of work, be sure to offer a robust plan of action explaining your approach and include images (planning phase sketches, maquettes, references, etc) to further explain your ideas.
Selection Process
Artists are selected to attend the residency by the RATM Selection Committee. The committee reviews all applications submitted to the program. Initial selection is based on the merit of the artist’s portfolio, proposal, and other application questions. After the initial selection is complete, qualifying artists will be invited to conduct on-site interviews with the Selection Committee. Final selection is based on a holistic review of each candidate.
Interviews will be conducted in-person at the Imperial Calcasieu Museum. Applicants may request remote interviews and/or rescheduling and will be considered on a case-by-case basis, but it is strongly encouraged to make yourself available to be in-person for this stage of the selection process. Please be prepared to spend the entire day on-site with the Selection Committee for this portion of the process.
Studios & Accommodations
RATM provides studio space. Each artist will be assigned their own space in which to work for the length of the residency. Artists may choose to exchange spaces with one another at their own discretion depending on specific needs. Studios will be very lightly furnished, so artists are expected to bring their own equipment into the spaces.
No living accommodations are available at this time, so it is vital that artists have living arrangements in place prior to acceptance into the program. Artists are expected to provide their own food, though RATM studios are located within walking distance of multiple restaurants and other markets in the heart of downtown Lake Charles.
Residency Terms and Expectations
Artists must provide their own transportation. A vehicle is required during the residency stay. Artists selected must be able to attend the entire nine month program. Exceptions will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis, but these are generally reserved for emergency situations only. Artists are welcome to have visitors during the residency. Visitors are not permitted to spend the night in studio spaces. We cannot accommodate family members, partners, or pets. Artists must notify hosts and each other of planned visitors.
Artists will be involved with multiple avenues of community engagement over the course of their nine months in the program. No less than 9 Art in the Park (free-to-the-public art making events at recreational sites) events will be administered by RATM residents. Workshops, lectures, studio visits, and formal critiques are all potential events that will be provided by our residents, and these will be arranged on a case-by-case basis and discussed thoroughly during the assessment and selection process.
Residents will be expected to make themselves available for members of the community seeking to hold appointments.
Residents will be expected to attend at least half of opening receptions/cultural events that take place in Lake Charles over the course of their time in the program.
Artists chosen for the residency will be required to donate one completed work to the RATM program.
Trimester Reviews
Artists will share their works-in-progress with the board members during review sessions at approximately three and six months into the program. These will serve as opportunities to discuss progress or issues with completing projects.
Final Exhibition
Artists will have a group exhibition celebrating their efforts at the Imperial Calcasieu Museum imminently following the completion of their residency. Artists will have an additional exhibition at gallery space at Historic City Hall in Lake Charles, Louisiana. This exhibition’s date will be in the year following their stay at RATM.
Timeline
1 February 2024 – Application window opens
28 February 2024 – Application window closes
March 2024 – Applications reviewed, notifications sent to interviewees
March 2024 – Interviews complete (Exact date TBD)
March 2024 – Winners notified
1 April 2024 – Residencies begin
