Interested in The Oakley House?
The Oakley House is a community centered art space. There are only a few guidelines to be considered, but they must be met:
Must be an amateur artist pursuing excellence in their craft
We do not require an extensive portfolio or to have a vast understanding of the craft in which you are interested. And the respective interest in art does not need to fit into the traditional bucket of painter, photographer or musician. But we do require a relatively singular artistic focus. One which an artist can see themselves devoted to during their year long stay. Or a particular artistic project with a goal.
We also understand that excellence and growth in the arts can mean many different things, and we require an open mind for artistic discussion and positive and effective criticism. If you have no clear goal, but a deeply rooted passion in your art, we can help to discover what a successful path for you might look like.
Must be available for a weekly House meeting
A focus on community is a mainstay at the Oakley House. Whether its a small town community, a larger network of connectivity which spans the country, or a positive house environment. The weekly meetings are our opportunity to practice building the kind of community we would like to see and be a part of.
A weekly meeting at The Oakley House is not meant to be a stagnant event or the same thing every week, but rather a collection of experiences and community building practices. Gallery visits, film and book recommendations, art parks and inspirational outings, house dinners with discussions on art and artistic process. It should be a time to both reflect on our own art with other members of the house as well as an opportunity for inspiration from others.
Finding a collective time for a house full of artists can be difficult, and schedules vary greatly. We understand that not every event and house meeting can be attended and will work on ways to maintain the community involvement within the house.
Must be clean
The opportunity to work and live with artists who all support each other is a privilege and we would not have this privilege without the house. And though it can be your home for a year, it will be your housemates home as well. Living and working with other artists, sharing studio space and common areas; a sense of organization and cleanliness is a must.
The Oakley House is located on a horse farm outside of Boulder on a beautiful stretch of land, populated by numerous songbirds who enjoy the view of the mountains just as much as we do. Cleanliness and respect for such a beautiful space and house might be in the form of helping to tend the gardens, making sure walk ways are shoveled in the winter, and regular cleanliness of common and shared areas.
We ask that you respect the space of others and respect the house. Maintaining a healthy respect for the shared art experience will make for a better overall experience.
If you feel The Oakley House is for you
If The Oakley House sounds like the right fit for you, please contact us. Residency is based on a 1 year lease agreement.