Artist-in-Residence - FAQ

The Newberry considers research projects that utilize the Newberry’s collection to advance artistic project. The Newberry’s collections should be vital for the success of the proposed project.

For artist-in-residence fellowship applicants, the Newberry determines eligibility for individual fellowships by project match with individual artist-in-residence fellowships. 

• If you've had a short-term or artist-in-residence fellowship in the past, you may apply for a long-term fellowship. The long-term fellowship may be for the same project or a different one.
• If you've received a short-term or artist-in-residence fellowship before, you cannot apply for another short-term fellowship to work on the same project.
• If you’ve received a long-term fellowship before, you cannot apply for a second fellowship (long-term or short-term) for the same project.

Yes! We are free and open to all researchers. Learn about how you can use the Newberry collection in person.

The Newberry considers three primary criteria for fellowship applications:

1. The significance of the proposed project
2. The applicant’s ability to complete the proposed project
3. The appropriateness of the proposed project to the Newberry’s collection

For artist-in-residence fellowships, criterion #3 takes on an added significance; the Newberry’s collections should be vital for the success of the proposed project.

We highly recommend prospective artist-in-residence applicants to contact a Newberry librarian at least a month ahead of the application deadline of January 3 to discuss the suitability of the Newberry’s collection and the proposed project. 

We have a small staff that answer a large number of inquiries from researchers all over the world. Response times can vary and may take up to two weeks, depending on the number of requests in the queue. If you reach out less than one month ahead of the application deadline, Newberry staff may not be able to get to your request before applications are due.

During reading room hours, you can contact a Newberry librarian at (312) 255-3506. You can also submit a question using this online form.

Applicants may only submit one project for artist-in-residence consideration each year.

No. Application materials from previous years may not be reused. Updated materials are required, including new letters of reference.

The Newberry uses SlideRoom to collect application materials and letters of recommendation. You'll sign up for a SlideRoom account in order to submit application materials and request letters. After creating a SlideRoom account, you can login to SlideRoom and view a list of the Newberry’s fellowship programs.

SlideRoom automatically saves your progress and will alert you if a required field has been left blank.

After an application has been submitted successfully, you'll see a confirmation screen with a confirmation number. An email confirmation with the same information will also be sent from SlideRoom. Please check your spam folder if the confirmation email doesn't arrive right away.

The Newberry will not accept revised materials after an application has been submitted. However, SlideRoom allows applicants to save an application in progress and modify answers at any time before you submit your application.

SlideRoom offers technical support hours to applicants Monday through Saturday from 9am to 9pm Central Time. Please visit this page on the SlideRoom website for assistance.

You can ask anyone familiar with your project to write a letter of reference. The most successful letters address the significance of the proposed project, the value of a Newberry residency for the applicant, and the qualifications of the applicant. Letters that speak to the applicant’s project in specific, current terms are more effective than general letters from a dossier.

No. SlideRoom will prompt applicants to submit contact information for references. SlideRoom will then send referees an email containing a link where they can submit a letter.

Yes.

SlideRoom will send applicants a confirmation email after a referee submits a letter. Please check you spam folder if this email is not received. Applicants can also view the status of letters in SlideRoom and send reminders to references.

In SlideRoom, click on the “edit” link next to the recommender you wish to edit. Reference nformation can be updated or removed and new information added. Once a reference has submitted a letter, they cannot be removed from your application.

Please log in to SlideRoom and confirm that the reference’s contact information is entered correctly. If the reference is still not receiving the SlideRoom email, ask them to check their spam folder, add notifications@slideroom.com as a contact, and add SlideRoom as a trusted email domain.

No. Updated letters are required.

Applications are reviewed by an interdisciplinary committee of scholars and artists from a broad spectrum of fields and periods. We seek to establish committees that reflect the disciplinary, geographic, gender, and status diversity of the applicant pool. Due to the wide range of the Newberry’s collections, this committee might not include a scholar or artist familiar with the applicant’s particular area of work. Therefore, successful applicants are those who articulate their project and its significance in terms that are clear to non-specialists.

The number of fellowships awarded depends on funding sources and varies slightly from year to year. The Newberry typically awards three artist-in-residence fellowships per year.

Artist-in-Residence fellowship applicants will be notified in late April/early May.

Artist-in-Residence fellows may begin their residency during any month of the year, with orientation sessions on the first and third Tuesday of the month (exceptions are made for holidays that fall on a Tuesday). When planning your dates, please keep in mind that the Newberry is closed on Sundays and holidays. Fellows are also welcome to stay in residence beyond their fellowship dates at their own expense. 

No. Fellowships must be taken during the academic year for which they are awarded. For short-term fellowships, this includes a 15-month window from June 1 to August 31 of the awarded academic year.

No. Artist-in-Residence fellowships at the Newberry require continuous residency. In rare circumstances and cases of special need, we will consider a request to divide the months awarded, as long as they are taken during the same fellowship year.

Artist-in-Residence fellows are expected to be in residence at the Newberry for their entire fellowship period without any major interruptions. Fellows should be at the Newberry at least four days per week. Exceptions are made for conferences and family obligations, but lengthy (beyond a day or two) or unexpected absences will need the approval of the Newberry.

Yes. Fellows are welcome to extend their Newberry residency; however, the amount of the fellowship stipend cannot be increased. Foreign scholars, however, must comply with US Department of State regulations regarding their visas.

Artist-in-Residence fellows are welcome to use other Chicago libraries and archives during their fellowship provided that they sustain residency of four days per week at the Newberry.

Yes. The Newberry is authorized by the US Department of State to issue DS-2019 forms that can be used by foreign scholars to secure a J-1 visa for the period of their fellowship. However, the Newberry cannot provide any additional funding for visa fees, which are the responsibility of the fellow.

Fellows must arrange their own housing during their residency. The Newberry can offer suggestions for nearby accommodations, including neighborhood apartments, hotels, and other housing.

Stipends are available to fellows upon arrival to the Newberry. Stipends can be processed through a fellow’s home institution.

No. Fellowship stipends can only be used for salary and fringe benefits paid to an awarded fellow. They cannot be used for overhead or indirect costs.