Akron Soul Train is an artist residency program connecting and empowering the community and artists by granting fellowships that provide resources for all creative disciplines to foster a more vibrant downtown Akron.  AST announces their residency applications for the 2021 season are now open!

Artists of all disciplines including visual arts, music, theater, dance, filmmaking, and literature  are invited to apply for an Akron Soul Train Residency Fellowship.  Residencies are typically offered for one month but can be shorter or longer depending on the artist’s preference and the proposed project.  Artists will receive a stipend to complete their project, and they can work in their own studios.  Exhibitions of new work will be displayed at the Akron Soul Train gallery located at 191 S. Main Street, and performances will be executed in collaboration with a partner organization.

There is a community engagement component as part of a residency at Akron Soul Train where artists are asked to create a special presentation or workshop to enrich the lives of those living in the Akron area.  

The benefits of a residency at Akron Soul Train is summed up by Micah Kraus, “I was able to collaborate with Floco Torres, NCCAkron, and Stephen Tomasko. Having the exhibition after the residency pushed me to make a cohesive body of work, which has led to artistic momentum as well as many art sales. Additionally, I have been invited to exhibit in other shows because of the exposure of the residency and exhibit.”  

Residency selection criteria is based on the applicant’s artistic excellence, ingenuity, professionalism and emergence.