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DI Creatives-in-Residence Program

The Design Innovation (DI) Creatives-in-Residence (CIR) Program is a unique opportunity for Kent State University students and Northeast Ohio community members to immerse themselves in a semester-long residency focused on exploring the intersections of artistic practice and emerging technologies.

This program supports visionary creatives who are ready to push the boundaries of interdisciplinary design, experimentation, and collaboration. CIRs receive the tools, space, mentorship, and resources to bring bold, innovative ideas to life, while actively engaging the community through public events and exhibitions. The CIR program is graciously funded by Ken Robinson and an ArtSTART grant from the Ohio Arts Council.

Applications for Fall 2025 will be accepted August 4th – September 7th, 2025.

 

Benefits

  • $800 Materials and Supplies Budget for project development.
  • $400 Stipend to support time and labor on your project upon completion of the residency.
  • Access to DI Hub Resources: Maker environments, tools, and specialized technologies, with training as needed.
  • Dedicated Workspace within the DI Hub.
  • Mentorship & Facilitation from DI staff and faculty tailored to your project needs.
  • Public Exhibition Opportunities in the DI Gallery and at DI’s annual DI Day (late spring semester).
  • Community Visibility through DI’s website, campus digital signage, and other promotional channels.

 

Responsibilities

Selected residents will:

  • Commit approximately 5–10 in-person hours per week to the residency during REACTOR open hours.
  • Attend regular check-ins with program mentors and peers.
  • Participate in a DI Hub Orientation session to become a DI Collaborator.
  • Lead at least one community-facing event (workshop, artist talk, etc.).
  • Collaborate with other residents in developing a public exhibition of their work in the DI Gallery during spring semester.
  • Present their work at DI Day, the annual celebration of innovation at Kent State (occurring late in the spring semester).
  • Submit a final portfolio including project documentation, an impact statement, and reflection on the residency experience.

 

Application

Why Apply?

Becoming a DI Creative-in-Residence is more than just a residency - it’s a platform to explore new possibilities, connect with innovators across disciplines, and share your work with the public. Whether you want to prototype an idea, explore new creative tools, or build community around your art and technology practice, this program provides the support you need to make it happen. Applicants are encouraged to connect with other DI collaborators, makers, and community partners as part of their project development.

Who Can Apply

The program is open to:

  • Kent State University students in any major (undergraduate or graduate).
  • Northeast Ohio community members engaged in creative practice.
    No formal training in art or technology is required, diverse perspectives and experimental approaches are encouraged.
Application Process

Applications for Fall 2025 will be accepted August 4th – September 7th, 2025. To apply, you will need to submit:

  • A personal statement describing your interest in the residency and your approach to integrating art and technology.
  • A project proposal outlining objectives, methods, and alignment with program goals. Projects should be scoped to be achievable within one semester, though they may serve as part of a longer-term creative vision.
  • A basic project budget for materials, tools, or other resources.
  • Examples of Creative Work: Up to 5 supporting files that illustrate the project concept or examples of your previous creative work (documents, images, video, audio, or links).
  • A resume or CV.

Applications will be evaluated by DI staff based on originality and clarity of vision, feasibility within the semester and available resources, potential for community engagement, openness to interdisciplinary collaboration, and how well the proposed project leverages the technologies available in the DI Hub.

 

Program Timeline

While specific dates vary by semester, CIRs can expect to:

  • Begin Residency: Early in the academic semester.
  • Host Public Event: Mid- to late semester.
  • Participate in Public Exhibition: Near the end of the semester.
  • Present at DI Day: End of spring semester.
  • Submit Final Documentation: Within two weeks after semester’s end.

Questions? Contact DI@kent.edu for guidance before applying.

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