After much contemplation, we have resolved to temporarily pause our usual jury process this year. Instead, we plan to extend invitations to waitlisted artists from our 2023 jury process whom we could not accommodate due to space constraints.
Last year’s unprecedented number of applications presented us with a difficult situation: an exceptional pool of talent and far too little space. This led to many tough decisions, though our jurors’ discernment and hard work helped us identify a wealth of artistic potential.
We’re committed to supporting artists who may not have the opportunity to engage in longer residencies, striving for a selection process that strikes a fair balance between competitive excellence and accessibility. While tough decisions are inherent to jurying, last year’s overwhelming volume of applicants tested our ability to maintain this balance.
We do not make this decision lightly, and know many of you had planned to apply this season. We sincerely regret any disappointment this decision will cause, and encourage you to consider applying again when we resume our standard open application process in 2025.
Thank you for your understanding as we navigate these decisions with care and consideration for our artist community. It’s our hope that this approach will allow us to more fully recognize and celebrate the breadth of artistic excellence represented in last year’s applicant pool.
Your thoughts, questions, or concerns are very important to us, and we welcome any feedback you may wish to share. Please don’t hesitate to contact Executive Director, Marc Mewshaw, at info@hewnoaks.org.