A program of UVA Library’s Division for Culture, Engagement, and Community. Generously supported by the Aric Lasher Art Fund.
The AiLS Community Artist-in-Residence program features a practicing Charlottesville area artist whose work is research-based, includes work connected to the Library’s collection, and/or is related to the Library’s sites themselves (all located on UVA’s campus in Charlottesville, VA). This residency uniquely situates creative work within communities of knowledge production, supporting artists whose practices are based in research, involve primary source materials, and/or are site-specific to this location.
This residency formed as a dedicated way to present work by community artists, putting into action a core value of the University of Virginia Library: the library is for everyone. The UVA AiLS Community Artist-in-Residence program provides educational opportunities for the University community to learn about a Charlottesville area artist through a public artist talk and artwork(s) on loan at UVA’s Shannon Library through a mounted exhibition, while optionally providing UVA Library access to the artist.
Previous recipients
- 2026 Artist: Somé Louis. “Home” (poetry) and “Untitled (Storybook Gestures)” on view through early 2027.
- 2025 Artist: MaKshya Tolbert. “Esteem Map: A Choreography” (with Kellyn Kusyk) and “An Atmosphere Akin to Freedom”
Eligibility
The AiLS Community Artist-in-Residence honorarium, $2,000, will be given every spring to one practicing artist local to Central Virginia. Please note: UVA staff, faculty, and students are ineligible for this residency but are welcome to apply to the UVA Arts Prize.
Artist support
Upon selection, the Community Artist-in-Residence will be given the opportunity to receive full access to UVA Library’s collections, space, and resources like The Scholars’ Lab. The $2,000 award will be paid in two disbursements: half at the beginning of the residency and half when the work is installed in May and is intended to cover all costs associated with exhibiting the art on loan (framing, etc).
Artist responsibilities
This residency is self-directed. During a period of inquiry (January-April), the artist will create a body of work connected to the Library’s collection, and/or is related to the Library’s sites themselves (all located on UVA’s campus in Charlottesville, VA).
In May, the exhibition of work created during their residency will be installed in Shannon Library and remain on display for the rest of the year. An artist statement and gallery labels will accompany the work. This work will be displayed on two walls in the northwest corner of the third floor of Shannon Library. In the early fall, the artist will give a talk on their period of inquiry and exhibition of resulting work. In the late fall, the artist will serve on the jury to select the following year’s AiLS Community Artist-in-Residence.
The resident artist will meet with the Library’s communications team for an interview that will be used in a blog post, news article, and/or other promotional materials.
In collaboration with the artist and facilities management, Library staff will install the exhibition and labeling, produce all required exhibition materials, and welcome the community to view the exhibition. The work will be returned to the artist when the exhibition ends.
Please note: At this time, the work(s) cannot include durational pieces (performance, film, music) because the UVA Library does not have equipment including projectors and headphones that can support the display of this work.
To apply
Application deadline: November 2, 2026.
Work that seeks to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, or any other reason will not be considered.