“Request for Proposals: Roman Witt Residency Program at the University of Michigan”
# The Roman J. Witt Residency Program: Fostering Artistic Innovation at the University of Michigan
The **Roman J. Witt Residency Program** is a prestigious and dynamic initiative that epitomizes the University of Michigan’s commitment to supporting artistic growth and innovation. Open to both emerging and established artists and designers, the program offers a unique opportunity to create new work in collaboration with the vibrant academic and cultural community at the University of Michigan. Over the years, it has grown to become a coveted residency that provides a platform for groundbreaking artistic exploration and public engagement.
## Mission and Vision
The mission of the Witt Residency is to facilitate the **production of new, original works** by talented artists and designers. It offers a collaborative environment where creators can push boundaries and reflect on contemporary issues through art and design. Throughout each academic year, the program hosts one resident artist, chosen for their unique perspective and the potential impact of their proposed projects.
The residency enables artists to engage meaningfully with students, faculty, and the broader university community, creating opportunities for shared learning, dialogue, and artistic experimentation. By providing access to resources and institutional support, the Witt Residency fosters innovative and timely works of art while encouraging deep reflection upon critical social, cultural, and historical issues.
## The Witt Residency 2025–2026: Themed Around the U.S. Semiquincentennial
In anticipation of the **United States Semiquincentennial** in 2026, which marks the 250th anniversary of the country’s founding, the 2025–2026 Witt Residency has been crafted as a thematic exploration of national identity, memory, and commemorative practices. The residency is organized in partnership with the **University of Michigan Museum of Art (UMMA)**, shining a spotlight on artists engaged with the complexities of the U.S.’s past, present, and future.
This unique focus on the **Semiquincentennial** invites artists who work in **social practice, performance art**, and other interdisciplinary forms to conceive of projects that delve into **issues of national identity**, the construction and interpretation of collective memory, and future visions for the United States.
## Key Focus: Social Practice and Performance Art
For the 2025–2026 residency, the program places a special emphasis on **social practice and performance art** — genres that encourage interactive, participatory, and socially engaging forms of expression. Artists with existing commitments to **community engagement, critical history**, and explorations of the human experience across time, memory, and identity are particularly encouraged to apply.
The selected artist for the 2025–2026 residency will work closely with UMMA and its curators to develop a thoughtful, immersive project reflecting these themes. Whether through a performance, public activation, or artistic intervention, this residency aims to unsettle established narratives and offer new interpretations and commemorations of the U.S.’s 250-year history.
### A Landmark Collaboration with UMMA
The **University of Michigan Museum of Art (UMMA)** will serve as the physical and conceptual space through which the Witt resident artist will bring their work to life. Specifically, the project will be executed in the museum’s **Lizzie and Jonathan Tisch Apse** in Fall 2026. The Apse will undergo a significant renovation, and the reopening in 2026 coincides with the culmination of the artist’s project, creating a moment of renewal and re-engagement both for the space and the wider public attending the exhibit.
By transforming the Apse through artistic ingenuity, the Witt artist will contribute to a conversation that spans art, history, and social change, drawing in audiences from within the university and beyond.
### Opportunities to Connect with the Public
In addition to creating and exhibiting work, the selected artist will also engage in **public dialogue** by giving a lecture or presentation as part of the university’s renowned **Penny Stamps Speaker Series**. This provides an excellent platform for the artist to discuss their creative process, explore the conceptual underpinnings of their work, and share insights with the wider academic and artistic communities.
## Timeline: Creation and Installation of the Project
The Witt Residency for 2025–2026 will involve multiple stages spanning across a full academic year:
– **Spring 2025 to Winter 2026:** The artist will spend this period working on the project, developing their concept, and preparing for the final presentation. During this time, they will collaborate with University of Michigan faculty, staff, and students, refining their ideas and receiving critical feedback.
– **Fall 2026:** The anticipated project will be exhibited or enacted within the UMMA’s Lizzie and Jonathan Tisch Apse. This period will mark the climax of the residency, where the conceptualized work is realized and shared with the public.
## Recent and Upcoming Witt Resident Artists
The Witt Residency maintains a legacy of facilitating transformative artistic experiences.
– For the **2024 residency**, **Machine Dazzle**,