Basic art supplies and workspace, slop sink, toilet, electricity, heat, basic concrete floor, and overhead track lighting. It’s nothing fancy, but we love it and hope you will too!

There is no wifi currently, but if a resident artist chooses to, they can have internet installed for the duration of their residency. Monthly internet costs would be paid by the artist.

The residency is 11-months, with the opportunity to extend the residency for another 12-months.

Yes!

The application is currently closed.

The artist will receive a $7,500 stipend per year along with the free studio space. Additional compensation in relation to community engagement and programming will be discussed. The artist is responsible for acquiring a business insurance policy.

The selected artist works with targeted community groups to run, at a minimum, a monthly program during the residency. The Bubbler at Madison Public Library, with experience in running public residencies and connecting artists to the public, works with the artist to make connections and support them in facilitating these outreach opportunities.

The artist works with the City of Madison’s Arts Program Administrator to connect with stakeholders in the community related to the public art piece. This installation is a permanent, commissioned piece by the City of Madison. Through meetings and discussions, the artist will mock up a plan, which then goes through an approval process before fabrication begins.

The Trachte Bros. building that is now the Thurber Park Artist Residency studio space previously housed the offices of the Waunona Sanitary District and years ago, acted as the Town of Blooming Grove’s first-ever town hall. With LOTS of elbow grease and collaborations across City departments, the space was re-envisioned and fully outfitted as an artist studio between 2018 and 2019.

Trachte buildings are unique, steel-paneled, round-roofed sheds with a legacy that goes back more than a century in Madison. From 1919 until 1986, these sheds were made right here in Madison at a factory located on E. Mifflin and N. Dickinson, before the company moved just up the road to Sun Prairie in the late 1980s. They were originally produced as inexpensive garages during the era when people were first buying cars, but these prefabricated metal buildings quickly became seen also as a versatile option for larger utility buildings and warehouses

Trachte buildings can be seen all around the city of Madison in a variety of forms, however, due to both decay and redevelopment, this piece of local history is quickly disappearing. It is incredible to have this artist residency be a part of preserving this piece of Madison history.

The building was lovingly restored with new insulation, electrical, and plumbing in partnership with local contractors and with the involvement of youth at Operation Fresh Start. The front door of the building was also upgraded to create a welcoming entrance for all abilities. As it is located adjacent to Thurber Park, there are expansive opportunities for community engagement in the park’s shelter, green spaces, and playground when the seasons allow.

Please get in touch! Contact Trent Miller at tmiller@madisonpubliclibrary.org.