ABOUT ANCHOR

Chicago Park District’s Anchor Curatorial Residency is an 18-month paid residency that culminates in a collaborative exhibition on park district land. Anchor engages artists and community members through a unique creative process aimed at deepening connections and building new relationships. 

Moving away from traditional art spaces, the residency is “anchored” by a commissioned outdoor exhibition, designed in consultation with park staff and community. A selected Curator-in-Residence will be given space, time, and resources to deepen their curatorial practices by producing a collaborative and responsive community-based exhibition, grounded in experimentation, local knowledge, and everyday experiences. 

Anchor amplifies existing local creativity, working with Chicago Park District Cultural Centers to support neighborhood artists and connect audiences to culturally relevant, high-caliber arts experiences. 

To activate the park, the Curator-in-Residence will develop a community engagement framework. The resident is encouraged to create a community focus group of park staff, stakeholders, and local leaders to support this process. Culturally relevant programming such as performances, workshops, and events will also be produced through the curatorial and artists' lens and in conversation with the community focus group.

TIMELINE

The residency begins on April 1, 2026, and concludes on October 31, 2027.

Assemble the Team | Apr-May 2026: Onboarding with CAN Staff & Ellis Park Staff 

Assemble the Dream | Jun-Oct 2026: Research, Relationship Building, Community Focus Groups 

Proposal | Nov-Dec 2026: Present Curatorial Premise & Plan, Feedback from Park Staff

Red Tape Time | Jan-Mar 2027: Park Enhancement Committee Proposal & Feedback 

Build Out | Apr-Jun 2027: Contract Exhibition Artists, Activation Planning 

Programming & Promo | Jun-Aug 2027: Marketing & Promo, Activation Contracting 

Exhibition & Wrap | Sept-Oct 2027: Exhibition

CURATOR FEE + PROGRAMMING BUDGET 

2026-2027 Anchor Curatorial Residency offers a curator fee of $20,000 and an additional budget of $10,000 for exhibition and program expenses. The residency is designed for one lead curator, with support from a Cultural Liaison for the Chicago Park District.
 

ABOUT ELLIS PARK CULTURAL CENTER

Located in the historic Bronzeville neighborhood, Ellis Park Cultural Center is a vital community space that honors its deep roots in Chicago’s Black history and culture. Since opening its modern Arts and Recreation Center in 2016, it has served as a hub for sports, arts, wellness, and community gathering—especially for many elders who remember the neighborhood’s golden era. There is a strong desire and exciting opportunity to program the beautiful outdoor terrace with visual arts, musical performances, and cultural events that connect contemporary creative practices with Bronzeville’s rich artistic and musical legacy.

As Ellis Park Cultural Center approaches its 10th anniversary, the park’s leadership aims to solidify its status as a cultural landmark—highlighting Bronzeville’s historical significance through political, artistic, and musical presence. The park seeks a curator who can elevate its visual arts programming, honor its history, and help foster a stronger sense of identity and visibility within the neighborhood, ensuring Ellis Park remains a beloved, recognized, and celebrated community space.

PROGRAM GOALS FOR CURATORIAL RESIDENCY 

1. Support the Growth of Emerging to Mid-Career Curators: Provide meaningful opportunities for curators to deepen their community practice, develop new skills, and expand their professional networks within Bronzeville and Ellis Park.
2. Foster Diverse Perspectives: Actively invite and incorporate a wide range of neighborhood voices and expertise, ensuring the exhibition and programming reflect the neighborhood’s rich cultural diversity and history.
3. Develop a Cohesive, Themed Exhibition: Collaborate with community stakeholders and Ellis Park staff to create an engaging, site-specific outdoor exhibition that thoughtfully explores Bronzeville’s past and present, serving as a centerpiece for community reflection and pride.
4. Build Community Connections and Support Networks: Facilitate partnerships with local residents, organizations, and stakeholders to deepen engagement with the community and enhance the relevance and impact of programming.
5. Maintain Focus and Manage Scope: Ensure the project stays aligned with the core goals of community engagement and cultural relevance.  Execute an impactful program and exhibition within the bounds of Chicago Park District policies and procedures, staff and curator capacity, and programmatic resources. 

RESIDENCY DELIVERABLES

While deliverables are variable for each unique project, we recommend a residency plan that organically combines your creative interests and expertise with generous opportunities for authentic relationship-building with the park community. Your residency plan should center on building healthy relationships and thoughtful and culturally relevant creative engagements.

1. Relationship Building 

• Develop and deepen authentic relationships with park staff, community leaders, neighborhood organizations, local artists, youth, and seniors.
• Foster connections that can extend beyond the residency, supporting ongoing community engagement and cultural exchange.
• Introduce and expand cultural competency among park staff and community stakeholders through collaborative dialogue and shared activities.

2. Creative Engagements and Programming 

• Design and implement culturally relevant programs that highlight Bronzeville’s heritage—such as visual arts, musical performances, workshops, or community conversations—centered around the neighborhood’s history and identity.
• Utilize Ellis Park’s indoor and outdoor spaces, centering the second-level outdoor terrace, for programming that is accessible and engaging for diverse community members.
• Incorporate youth and senior participation, ensuring intergenerational dialogue and community inclusion.

3. Community and Space Activation 

• Produce a culminating outdoor exhibition that reflects community narratives, history, and resilience, serving as a landmark symbol of Bronzeville’s legacy.
• Activate Ellis Park’s outdoor spaces with visual arts and performances aligned with the cultural themes, creating dynamic public experiences.
• Support community-led initiatives and amplify local voices through outreach, collaborations, and shared programming.

4. Capacity Building and Sustainability 

• Facilitate opportunities for park staff and community groups to sustain and build upon the relationships and programming developed during the residency.
• Share resources, knowledge, and cultural insights that enhance the park’s role as a cultural and community hub.

SKILL SETS REQUIRED

• Collaborative & Innovative Program Development
• Effective Project Management
• Community Connection & Engagement
• Outstanding Communication Skills
• Cultural Competency & Sensitivity
• Curious, Adaptive, and Open-Minded
• Budget Planning & Management

NOTES ON ELIGIBILITY

Applicants must reside in Chicago. The application begins by requiring a current address for applicants to ensure eligibility. Applicants must also be eligible to work in the United States and agree to these terms before beginning the application. This requirement is to ensure eligibility for payment. 

ANCHOR INFO SESSION

Join us on Wednesday, November 5th at 6:00-7:30pm for an Anchor Info Session at Ellis Park (3520 S Cottage Grove Ave) to learn more about the residency, meet the park staff, and ask questions.

PAST ANCHOR SEASONS:

If you’d like to explore what Anchor has looked like in its first and second seasons, check out these videos by Colectivo Multipolar and by Martin Hernandez.