The Alabama State Council on the Arts (ASCA) has awarded a $10,000 grant to Troy University’s Department of Art & Design to support the 2027 Spring Arts Series, the fourth year of a program that brings working artists and researchers to campus and the surrounding community each spring.

Each year the series hosts one longer residency, called the artist-in-residence stay, which usually lasts three to four weeks, along with several shorter visiting artist stays of about three to six days. Artists use the time for their own research and creative projects, and they share that work through public talks, workshops, studio visits and time with students and local schools. The artist-in-residence returns the following spring for an exhibition at the International Arts Center (IAC), which partners with the department on exhibitions and workshops.

“Four years ago this program was a good idea and a small budget,” said Will Jacks, director of the Huo Bao Zhu Gallery and co-director of the series. “Thirteen artists later, it is part of how our department does research and how our students and neighbors meet working artists. The Council’s support for 2027 tells us that work is worth building on.”

Since the program was revived in 2024, 13 artists have come to Troy: three as artists-in-residence and ten as visiting artists. Student ambassadors, a partnership with the Alabama Contemporary Arts Center’s Museum Without Walls and visits with local elementary, middle and high schools have been added along the way.

This year’s call for applications closed Nov. 1. Artists from around the world applied for either the artist-in-residence stay or the Visiting Artist stay, with priority given to artists with strong Alabama ties. A panel of faculty, students and arts professionals is making selections this month, and the 2027 artists will be announced after they have accepted their invitations. The 2026 artist-in-residence, Lauren Frances Evans, will exhibit at the IAC in spring 2027.

“The residency works because artists, students and the community all learn from one another,” said Sara Dismukes, professor of art and co-director of the series. “This grant lets us plan a fourth spring with confidence, and our volunteer faculty and student ambassadors are ready to welcome the next group.”

“Art & Design students see working artists make real research out of a creative life, right here in our building,” said Greg Skaggs, chair of the Department of Art & Design. “We are grateful to the Alabama State Council on the Arts for investing in that, and in the region our graduates come from and go back to.”

The Spring Arts Series is also supported by in-kind contributions from Art & Design faculty and students, along with community partners.

About the TROY Artist Residency
The TROY Artist Residency, part of the Spring Arts Series, brings working artists to Troy University and the community and region around it each spring. Housed in the Department of Art & Design, which partners with the International Arts Center for exhibitions and workshops, it gives artists time, studio space, financial support and access to the department’s facilities, and gives students, faculty and neighbors across the region the chance to learn from them. Learn more at troyartistresidency.com.