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Artist in Residence

Bringing the art world to our doorstep.

The Artist-in-Residence program creates a rich dialogue between an international artist and our community.
 
Every other year, the LFC's Artist-in-Residence (AIR) program welcomes a creator who wishes to develop an artistic project in a school setting. All artistic disciplines are welcome: architecture, visual arts, performing arts (music, theater, dance), digital arts, comics, film/animation, design, graphic design, literature, photography, murals/street art, etc.
 

The next call for applications will open February 1, 2024, for the 2024-2025 residency. The project must reach the entire LFC community and actively involve students from pre-K to Grade 12.

Apply Now

2023 AIR Project

The 2022-2023 residency tackled Homer’s Odyssey and, more specifically, the story of the Cyclops, through silent film, thanks to a partnership with artists from the Lookingglass Theatre Company and the Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival. Watch the documentary above about the making of Cyclope: The Movie or read more.

History

Since the school’s inception, arts and culture have been given a valued place at the LFC. Created in 1997 by parents Nancy Lerner Frej and Mary Jane Jacob, with the support of former Lycée Arts Director Jean-Brice Wallon, the Artist-in-Residence Program (AIR) enriches each student's journey and exposes them to new artistic approaches.

The LFC has had the pleasure of welcoming numerous artists since 1997:

  • Christian Boltanski (France/photography)
  • Ery Camara (Senegal/language arts),
  • Sheila Hicks (USA/sculpture),
  • Laurent Baude (France/sculpture),
  • Périphériques Architecture (France/architecture),
  • Jim Vincent for the Hubbard Street Dance Chicago (USA/dance),
  • Beate Gütschow (Germany/photography),
  • Donald Fels (USA/architecture),
  • I.C.E. – International Contemporary Ensemble (USA/music)
  • Nicolas Henry (France/photography)
  • Joël Degbo (France-Benin/photography)
  • Phil Smith and Louise Lamson from the Lookingglass Theatre Company and Tom Lee from the Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival (USA/theater)

The selected artist is invited to develop an original and collective project in collaboration with the students, teachers and parents of the LFC. The final art work—the result of a rich dialogue between an international artist and our community—is showcased at a public exhibition and becomes part of the LFC’s art collection.

Artist-in-Residence Criteria

The call for applications for the 2024-2025 residency will be open until April 15, 2024.

For the 2024-2025 residency, the LFC is particularly interested in a collaboration with a musician/lyricist, but will consider any artistic projects, choosing the most promising. All artistic disciplines are welcome: architecture, visual arts, performing arts (music, theater, dance), digital arts, comics, film/animation, design, graphic design, literature, photography, murals/street art, etc. 

Terms and Conditions
  • The artistic output shall be the property of the LFC. 
  • The duration of the residency is generally 4 to 12 weeks, depending on the nature of the project itself. However, it must be finished before the end of the school year (see school calendar).
  • The project must reach the entire LFC community and actively involve students from pre-K to Grade 12.
  • The public exhibition at the end of the residency is an integral part of the project.
  • The artist will work with LFC’s pedagogical teams and, in particular, the art department. 
Funding & Support
  • The artist will receive a total stipend of $15,000 from the LFC to cover all expenses: housing, airfare, materials and supplies necessary for the residency (other than those available at the Lycée).
  • A work space will be made available at the LFC for the duration of the residency during the school's normal hours of operation.
  • The LFC will support the artist in his/her networking with local organizations, partners and other stakeholders who may participate in the development of his/her project (cultural and academic institutions, etc.).
Criteria for Eligibility

The artist must: 

  • Be a working professional
  • Speak French and/or English 
  • Have previous work experience in a school (preferred) 
  • Clear a background check.

If you have any questions, please contact air@lyceechicago.org.

Apply Now

Artist-in-Residence News

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Students posting with their Artist-in-Residence creations.
Checking in with the 2022-2023 Artist in Residence Program

If you peeked into LFC’s art rooms these days, you would see them filled with a whale, snail, jellyfish, cave, cyclops eye, boat and plenty of fish. As part of the 2022-2023 Artists in Residence program, students of all ages have helped create the set for their upcoming silent film, which will focus on the famous passage from Homer’s Odyssey detailing Odysseus’ journey to the island of the Cyclops.

Four people pose with puppet Cyclops, fish, and sailboat. To the right, a woman poses.
LFC’s Artist-in-Residence Program Welcomes the Lookingglass Theatre Company

This year’s residency, a beloved biennial LFC program, will tackle Homer’s Odyssey and, more specifically, the story of the Cyclops. The visiting artists will work with students to create a silent film, inspired by the work of French director Georges Melies, as well as a documentary about the making of the film.

2019 Artist-in-Residence exhibition.
A Beautiful Exhibition to Celebrate Joël Degbo's Residency

On Tuesday, April 9, the LFC community was thrilled to explore the work that Joël Degbo, our 2019 artist in residence, has done in collaboration with our students and teachers. His exhibition, entitled "Various Lights," highlighted our students' relationship to their urban environment in a vibrant showcase that featured voices, videos and pinhole photographs.