Room in the House Fellowship

About Karamu House

In 1915, Oberlin College graduates Russell and Rowena Jelliffe opened the Playhouse Settlement in a Cleveland area called The Roaring Third. The Jelliffes wanted to build an environment where people of different races, religions, and social and economic backgrounds could come together to seek and share common ventures through the arts. Karamu House was established as a gathering place for racially diverse members of the surrounding community at that time. As the community became predominantly African American, Karamu responded with programs geared to their needs and interests.

Today, Karamu has been reborn as a beating heart for the entire community, regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identification, or age, as it embarks on its second 100 years, retaining its historical identity as “a place of joyful gathering.” Core programs include a five-performance, sociallyrelevant and professional quality theatre season; arts education in drama/theatre, music and dance for all ages; and community programming, such as a lecture series, and spoken word and music performances, that invites participation and engagement, reflection, and a re-commitment to cultural values.

Room in the House Program Information

With generous support from Cuyahoga County residents through a grant from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture, Karamu House will offer 16 artist fellowship awards in 2022 – eight (8) visual arts; eight (8) performing arts. Fellowships will be awarded in December 2022. The goal of Room in the House is artistic growth and empowerment. To this end, Karamu is excited to provide a financial award to support artistic growth, and a platform for exposure –digital and in-person.

Application for the fellowship is open to artists who currently reside in Cuyahoga County with demonstrated commitment to their visual arts or performance-based practice. Each selected Room in the House artist will receive a monetary stipend ($5,000) and the opportunity to exhibit/perform – virtually and/or in-person based on Karamu availability.

Residency Timeline

Application Deadline: October 31, 2022
*Applications due by 11:59 PM

Award Distribution: December 15, 2022

Award Details

Visual Artists:

• Eight (8) visual artists will be selected. Each will receive an opportunity to showcase work in Karamu’s digital exhibition platform.
• Each resident visual artist will receive $5,000 to support their artistic practice.
• Upon request, Karamu will work to identify partners to provide artist professional development workshops such as tax preparation, business and financial plan development, grant/proposal writing, marketing/media/PR.

Performing Artists:

• Eight (8) performing artists will be selected. Each will receive an opportunity to showcase work in Karamu’s digital exhibition platform.
• Each resident performing artist will receive $5,000 to support their artistic practice.
• Upon request, Karamu will work to identify partners to provide artist professional development workshops such as tax preparation, business and financial plan development, grant/proposal writing, marketing/media/PR.

Selection Process + Criteria

A selection committee comprised of members of Karamu’s leadership staff, board of directors, and community artist/stakeholders will comprise the selection panel and make the fellowship award decisions. Only completed applications will be reviewed. The chosen resident artists will demonstrate artistic rigor, ability, and intent, as well as align to Karamu’s vision of honoring the Black experience through culturally and socially relevant work.

Applying artists should submit a completed application with all support materials to submissions@karamuhouse.org. Please include ROOM IN THE HOUSE in the subject line to ensure that applications are received. If not selected, artists are invited to reapply.

Application Materials

Submission of the following in narrative form (unless specified) constitutes a COMPLETE application:

1. Artistic Statement
2. Answers to the following questions:
   1. Demographics: Name, Address, Cell Phone Number, Email Address
   2. How does your artistic philosophy align to Karamu’s vision (see above Selection Process + Criteria section)?
   3. Describe how the residency stipend will support your creative practice.
3. Link to an example of your art or 3 web-quality work samples
4. Any additional information or supplementary material the selection panel should have to support your application?

Note: Completed applications must be received in Karamu House’s business office (2355 E. 89th Street, Cleveland, OH 44106) or via email at submissions@karamuhouse.org by 11:59 PM on the deadline date. Applications received after this time will NOT be considered.