Opportunities at CAD

Thank you for expressing interest in opportunities at Chicago Art Department. Through exhibitions, artist residencies, and community building, we are dedicated to cultivating voices, ideas, and practices based in the field of contemporary art. Check out our current opportunities below:

EVENTS/EXHIBITIONS PROPOSALS

Are you interested in installing an exhibition at CAD or hosting a workshop or public program? Our 2025 applications are now available here.

CAD RESIDENCIES

Chicago Art Department’s Studio Residency Program is a subsidized initiative that supports 12-month growth opportunities for artists, with an option for a second year. During the application process, artists identify goals for their practice, strategies for intention and engagement, and plans for exhibitions and public events. At the end of each term, Resident Artists revisit their goals to identify areas of growth and define next steps for their practice.

Requirements for Resident Artists

Develop new works through 12 months of studio practice.
Show new works in exhibitions and interact with a public audience.
Participate in monthly meetings, professional advancement opportunities, and critical discussions.

Why Become a Resident at CAD?

Join a community of civically-focused artists bridging the space between art and justice in Chicago!
Propose exhibitions and programs. Submit your ideas for exhibitions and public programs in our two gallery spaces and shared community areas.
Participate in CAD’s Spring Studio Visiting Program, running from February through May, and engage in one-on-one studio visits with a dynamic cohort of arts professionals from Chicago and beyond.
Peer-to-peer feedback. Receive constructive feedback on your work during monthly meetings with fellow residents.
Connect with the public through monthly 2nd Fridays, Open Studio Events, and CAD MRKTs, which support artists who are also makers.
Collaborative arts community. Be part of a larger arts community in Chicago, collaborating with other galleries on resident exhibitions, organizing field trips, educational workshops, and more.
Exclusive access. Enjoy front-row access to all the incredible exhibitions and experiences hosted at CAD.
Studio benefits. Benefit from 24/7 studio access and subsidized residency fees ranging from $250 to $350. Residents keep 100% of exhibition sales.
Being part of CAD isn’t just about having studio space—it’s about being part of a community that expands visibility and connects you with professionals from all sorts of fields across the city. It’s a place where you can grow, collaborate, and make meaningful connections.

2024-25 Admissions Timeline

Deadline for submissions: July 5, 2024, 11:59 PM
Review committee reviews submissions: Week of the 8th 2024
Committee meets to finalize July 15th, 16th or 17th, (early online or after work online or in-person)
Selected residents are notified: by July 22, 2024
Residents move-in date/receive keys: August 1st, 2024

For more details, please review the Sample Resident Agreement and the Review Committee Rubric. If you have any questions or need support with the application process, email the Programs Manager at carlos@chicagoartdepartment.org. Public tours of the studios will take place on June 25 and June 28, from 6:00-6:45 PM. To RSVP, please email our Programs Manager. Apply HERE!