The TechArtista Foundation (TAF) Artist Accelerator offers emerging creatives a pathway to commercial success while fostering relationships within the vibrant local art community in St. Louis, Missouri. Anchored by a 12-month artist-in-residence experience, this program provides a comprehensive array of resources, such as access to dedicated studio and gallery spaces, financial support, complimentary legal and accounting assistance, and curated mentorship. Pending financial support, we aim to accept two (2) accelerator participants per year: once cycle beginning in the winter, one in the summer.

Throughout the residency, artists are expected to immerse themselves in the TechArtista and Greater St. Louis art communities. Activities encompass studio visits with fellow artists, dialogues with gallery representatives, and engagement with artist support organizations. While our Advisory Board and Foundation team stand ready to facilitate introductions, the motivation lies with the artists to pursue these connections.

Additionally, selected artists are required to curate and present a gallery show approximately halfway through the program, hosted at a distinguished TechArtista venue. This presentation serves as an opportunity to solidify the relationships fostered throughout the program.

Moreover, we kindly request participating artists “pay it forward” by contributing one piece of artwork to the TechArtista Foundation. Collectively, these contributions will be utilized for fundraising endeavors, aiding future participants, and further enriching our mission.

We seek enthusiastic and committed artists, creatives, and makers who are ready to dive into planning or pivoting their creative business using the following media: Painting, Photography, Printmaking, Digital Art, and other media including 2D & 3D work. Creative business is a broad term and can include plans for gallery/exhibition, wholesale, teaching, online sales, and many others.

We encourage a diverse selection of artists to apply! Creatives, artists, and makers from historically excluded communities like creatives from rural communities, emerging artists, BIPOC communities, LGBTQIA+ communities, and self-taught makers.

We welcome applicants regardless of citizenship status, color, familial status, gender identity or expression, religious observance, sex, sexual orientation, and sources or levels of income.

All applications are reviewed and scored by our Arts Advisory Board, a group that includes past program beneficiaries, local art advocates, and esteemed leaders from the art industry. Final recommendations from the Arts Advisory Board are subject to approval by the TAF Board of Directors. Selection criteria is based on artistic merit, alignment with program resources, and mission fit. Demographic information is collected solely to enhance our understanding of the diverse communities we serve and does not influence the application evaluation process.

Selected program participants will be granted access to studio space within TechArtista Studios*, a location within the TechArtista networking of collaborative work environments and coworking space. Nestled within the dynamic Forest Park Southeast neighborhood of St. Louis, this beautifully repurposed historic church offers a host of amenities, including private studios, round-the-clock accessibility, communal kitchen spaces, storage facilities, gallery exhibition opportunities, and more.

*PLEASE NOTE: TechArtista Studios does not include residential accommodations. Selected participants are required to secure their own lodging. We are actively exploring offering need-based living stipends in the future.

Eligible program recipients (as determined by need) will receive a $3,000 cash stipend to offset the costs of participating in the accelerator. Funds may be used for supplies, transportation, meals, or other related expenses.

Application Window Opens: Wed, Oct. 25, 2023

Application Deadline: Wed, Nov. 29, 2023 @ 12pm CST

Applicants Notified: Week of Dec. 11, 2023

Residency Dates: January 3, 2024 to December 2024

You can read about our prior recipients (scroll down) on the TechArtista coworking website.

Interested candidates can apply for the TAF Artist Accelerator by submitting an application before the deadline. Questions about the process/program? Email Matt Menietti, Executive Director, at matt@techartistafoundation.org.