Frequently Asked Questions
applications:
Applications will open December 1st and close December 31st, 2024.
WHEN ARE YOUR APPLICATIONS OPEN?
WHen will artists be notified of their application status?
Applicants will be notified by May 1st, 2025.
Applicants must be 18 years or older.
For our Individual Artist Residency, artists may reside anywhere nationally and/or internationally.
For our National Emerging Artist Residency, artists must reside in the US, identify as emerging or early career artist.
For our MN BIPOC Artists Residency, artists must reside in the state of Minnesota, and identify as Black, Indigenous, Latinx, AAPI, SWANA-Arab American, and artists of color.
For our Artist Educators Residency, artists must currently teach at a K-12 or higher education institution or identify as a freelance teaching artist.
For our Family Artist Residency, parent-artists must reside in the state of Minnesota, identify as a parent artist with children between the ages of 6-13.
WHO CAN APPLY?
Our goal is to balance introducing as many new artists as possible to TLC while remaining an artistic home for our alumni. If you were awarded a residency in 2024, please know that priority will be given to new applicants and artists who did not attend the previous year.
IF I HAVE BEEN TO TLC BEFORE, CAN I RE-APPLY?
Can I apply for more than one residency program?
Artists should choose one residency program to apply for in any given season.
What questions will I be asked on the application?
Our 2025 applications will be available soon - stay tuned!
Should collaborators submit one application or two?
Collaborators only need to submit one application. (If you did submit two applications, we will note that on our end.)
Are artists with families welcome to apply and bring their families?
We have a Family Artist Residency dedicated to parent-artists interested in bringing their child/ren or family to TLC.
accessibility:
How accessible are the grounds at Tofte Lake Center?
Tofte Lake Center (TLC) strives to be as accessible and accommodating as possible for all individuals and recognizes that this work is ongoing. TLC has one cabin that is wheelchair accessible, including a ramp to the building, two first floor bedrooms, and an accessible bathroom (toilet and shower). Our performing and visual arts studios have ramps as well. TLC sits on a rustic campus and therefore there are some physical challenges to be aware of for those with limited mobility, most notably uneven ground and rugged terrain (gravel paths and some hills). We provide reasonable accommodations upon individual request to the best of our ability. If you have specific access needs or questions please contact our managing director, Riley Burns, at riley@toftelake.org.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT:
is there any financial support for the residencies?
Lodging is provided for all of our artist residencies and we hope to provide additional artist stipends when possible.
transportation:
TLC is 4.5 hours North of Minneapolis. While you do not need to have a car with you in order to participate in our residencies, you will need to secure your transportation to and from TLC.
Do I need to have a car with me?
Are there any opportunities to carpool to tlc?
Yes - carpooling is an option. For those flying into the Minneapolis airport from out-of-state, we will do our best to coordinate carpools with local artists. If local rides are not an option, TLC will help with alternatives.
facilities:
What equipment/materials are available?
Read more about our spaces here.
WIFI is only available in the Roadhouse, our communal building. There is (intentionally) no WIFI access in the cabins.
Does the facility have WIFI?
No - laundry can be done at one of the two laundromats in town.
Is there laundry service on site?
Yes, Liz Engelman, TLC’s Executive Director and dramaturg, resides on the property and is there to respond to your needs. If she is away from the property, our local Artistic Programs Coordinator, Karina, will be available to respond to your questions/needs.
Will there be someone available for questions and needs during our stay?
It’s a little ways away! TLC is located 15 miles from the small town of Ely which includes the stores and services you may need.
How secluded/remote is TLC?
RESIDENCY EXPERIENCE:
TLC residencies are typically self-directed. Each residency has its own personality, which is determined by the make-up of the group. You are free to create your own balance of solo/group time as well as work/play time. Some optional activities are offered and often artists self-organize group activities such as hikes, water activities, sharing of work.
What is the nature of a TLC residency?
Are there expectations from artists to share or produce something at the end?
We leave it up to each artist if and what they want to share at the end of the week. On the final day of the residency, we typically coordinate an ‘Art Crawl’ to share artists’ work and process with one another, followed by a potluck, clean-your-fridge dinner together. Participation is optional, though encouraged!
TLC provides a welcome dinner for your first night and provides snacks and beverages for the near-daily Dock O’Clock optional gatherings in the late afternoon. Otherwise, artists are responsible for their own meals.
How are meals handled?
wHAT IS YOUR PET POLICY?
TLC is a dog-friendly campus! If you’re interested in bringing your dog, please contact us with details. If approved, a $50 pet fee due upon arrival.
We are taking every precaution to ensure that you are safe. Please reach out with any questions or concerns you may have.
What about COVID safety?
community:
What are the ways we might connect with the other artists in residency before and after attending the residency?
When artists are accepted, we will connect them to their cohort as we get closer to the residency date. Artists will also receive the contact information for their cohort at the end of their time together.
WILL there be opportunities to engage with the local Ely community while in residence?
We often host dance and music performances and works-in-progress, and would happily entertain any other ideas. Upon acceptance, we will reach out to ask about artists’ interest in engaging with the Ely community.
For any other questions, you can email info@toftelake.org