Apply to be a 2027 Makers-in-Residence

Five residencies available

Are you a maker looking for an opportunity to share your craft?  Apply to be one of five Makers-in-Residence in 2027. The application closes at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, December 14, 2026.

The Maker-in-Residence introduces library patrons to their craft during Meet the Maker sessions and immerses library patrons in the process with basic and intermediate workshops. Each maker develops a new work to exhibit at the host library location. Exhibit spaces range from 3' wide x 3' high x 1' deep to 7' wide x 7' high x 1' deep. 

The eight-week residencies will run from March to May (Spring), June to August (Summer), and September to November (Fall). 

Available Residencies

  • Spring at Legler Regional, 115 S. Pulaski Road
  • Spring at Obama Presidential Center, 6021 S. Stony Island Avenue
  • Summer at Harold Washington Library Center, 400 S. State Street
  • Summer at Sulzer Regional, 4455 N. Lincoln Avenue
  • Fall at Woodson Regional, 9525 S. Halsted Street

Each Maker Lab is equipped with a Bambu 3D printer, Cricut electronic cutter and sewing machine which may be optionally incorporated into the exhibit or workshops. 

Expectations

All Makers-in-Residence will:

  • Facilitate engaging beginner-friendly workshops for library patrons
  • Access Maker Lab equipment and staff assistance for workshop preparation and facilitation
  • Interpret local culture or history using their craft, Maker Lab tools, and additional supplies
  • Create a work incorporating themes explored with workshop participants
  • Have their work exhibited at the host library location
  • Write a blog post about the exhibited work
  • Be compensated $4,000 for the 8-week residency
  • Have a supply budget of $1,000

Applying

Makers must have some facilitation experience and live in the city of Chicago with proof of residency. Makers may apply for multiple residency opportunities and successful applicants will be selected for one library location with the expectation that they will be at the host library up to 10 hours per week. Preference will be given to themes that include library collections, local history, the library location’s namesake, community, connection, curiosity or storytelling.  Preference will be given to hands-on workshops resulting in the creation of a physical or digital artifact by library patrons. All applicants will be notified of their application status in late January.

Learn more about our former Makers-in-Residence and their work.

Questions about the residency or application? Contact makerspace@chipublib.org.

The Maker-in-Residence program is in its 10th year and is generously funded by the Chicago Public Library Foundation.