The COMP Magazine ACRE (Artists' Cooperative Residency and Exhibitions) Interview 2015

Since the inception of ACRE (Artists’ Cooperative Residency and Exhibitions) in 2010, this non-profit organization has hosted numerous artists from around the world in their facility located in Steuben, Wisconsin, and produced hundreds of exhibitions in a wide array of spaces in Chicago. The COMP Magazine recently caught up with Emily Green, ACRE Director, to discuss the growth of this artist’s centerpiece in the city, the challenges of running a residency program, the growing interest in their efforts, and what exciting new plans they have for the future.

ACRE (Artists’ Cooperative Residency and Exhibitions), Steuben, WI, 2015

ACRE was founded in 2010 with a residency site in Steuben, Wisconsin, and exhibition space in Chicago. ACRE has recently moved into a new space. This transition appears to be an exciting time for the organization. Can you provide an overview of how the residency has evolved since its inception?

When we started ACRE, it was with a group of artists united by a desire to create the foundation for a supportive creative community and to provide opportunities to our peers. That sentiment really has not changed and the residency program has only changed in so far as we’ve updated it regularly to best meet the needs of emerging artists. Over the years we have improved and added facilities such as our ceramics studio, new as of this past summer. We’ve experimented with different lengths of the residency sessions and different numbers of staff and residents. Where we’ve evolved the most is probably in regards to our programming, specifically in the ways we work with the visiting artists that are invited to the residency each year. It has been important to us to create an environment for our residents to meet and work closely with established artists from all over the country. We’ve shifted away from traditional ways of fostering that type of engagement through things such as artist lectures to encouraging a more experimental approach to programming such as interactive performances, community projects, collaborative installations and resident-led workshops. We’ve also begun to incorporate visitors from fields outside of the arts, such as politics, food and agriculture.

ACRE (Artists’ Cooperative Residency and Exhibitions), Steuben, WI, 2015

What are some of the challenges in running a non-profit organization of ACRE’s size?

The obvious answer is funding. With arts funding being challenged on all levels and our communities being over-tapped for their support, it is a struggle to get the financial support we need in order to operate without charging a fee for the program. That challenge is not exclusive to ACRE, however. ACRE has seen rapid growth since its inception in 2010 and it can be a challenge at times to keep up and manage that growth. With a predominantly volunteer staff, it can be difficult to meet the demands of running an organization that has grown from receiving a little over 100 applications in its first year to over 730 applications for 80 slots in 2015. We are fortunate to have seen a lot of generosity from our staff and supporters that propels the organization forward.

ACRE Projects, 1345 W 19th Street, Chicago, IL, 2015

In recent time there has been an increase in terms of the quality of proposals and number of applications. Can you provide a summary of the highly competitive selection process?

ACRE’s admissions process has evolved somewhat over time. Currently it is administered by a committee that selects a jury of 30 people made up of artists and arts professionals from inside and outside of Chicago and a selection of ACRE staff. There are three rounds of reviews, the first two take place online and the final round is an in-person panel. Panelists are asked to score applications on the strength of the written responses to 2 questions about the artist’s practice and their work samples. The stage of the artist’s career and their potential contribution to the residency community are taken into account when scoring. An average of each application’s scores determines a final rank.

ACRE (Artists’ Cooperative Residency and Exhibitions), Steuben, WI, 2014

In addition to American artists, ACRE has had residents from around the globe. Can you offer insight into the growing interest in the residency?

Interest in residency programs in general seem to be on the rise. They offer further resources and career training for artists who are increasingly dissatisfied with cost prohibitive academic institutions. ACRE in particular offers a unique model that includes an exhibition opportunity, but the feedback we hear the most from previous residents is that the residency experience itself is what sets us apart. It has been primarily through word-of-mouth that the majority of our residents hear about ACRE, which I think says a lot about the strength of our program. The ethos of generosity stemming from the hard work and dedication of our volunteers is contagious. The summer program strikes a balance of being both challenging and nurturing. The intimate, communal atmosphere allows for artists to connect with one another and develop deep, meaningful relationships that last beyond the residency.

ACRE (Artists’ Cooperative Residency and Exhibitions), Steuben, WI, 2015

In addition to the residency and exhibitions, are there any additional programs that ACRE provides?

In the next year we hope to improve our online flatfile, which acts as a database of all the artists who have come through the residency. Each resident is given a page to upload their work to. It can act as a website for those who may not have one, or as a place to post new work or special projects. ACRE uses the flatfile to share resident work with interested curators or collectors and to organize special exhibitions we participate in on occasion.

ACRE (Artists’ Cooperative Residency and Exhibitions), Steuben, WI, 2014

What are the future goals for the residency site in Steuben, Wisconsin and your exhibition space in Chicago?

I am really excited about the potential of our new building in Pilsen. Over the next few years we hope to set up artist studios and work shops in the basement and garage and possibly a kitchen. ACRE has collected a lot of equipment over the years, and we are developing plans for how we can provide access to it outside of the residency period. In addition to the gallery, the building also features a mixed-use space, which we plan to utilize to expand our scope of programming throughout the year. It will allow us to host lectures, screenings and workshops more regularly. It will also be a resource in itself for our staff and alumni in need of a place for informal projects and gatherings. My hope is that additional programming and activity will further activate the space and that it will move toward feeling more like a community center than just a contemporary art gallery.