The Department of Art at Furman University invites proposals for solo and/or group exhibitions at

the Thompson Art Gallery for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 academic years. The Thompson is an

academic art gallery dedicated to the display and exploration of contemporary art and its current

practices. The recently-renovated space seeks to enrich the educational experiences of the

Furman community and the broader Greenville public by fostering interdisciplinary dialogue that

celebrates the diversity of contemporary visual production and showcases the potential of art’s

cultural engagement and social commentary. The Gallery typically hosts four external exhibitions

per academic year, with each show on view for approximately five weeks.

Preferred Media and Themes

Exhibitions of all media and themes will be considered, but the Department is especially

interested in exhibitions that demonstrate technical mastery of material, present innovative visual

forms, and explore the most pressing issues faced by society today. Such themes may include,

but are not limited to:

* Alternative approaches to traditional materials, histories, and hierarchies
* Graphic design’s contribution to social activism, community organization, and protest
* Environmental sustainability and technological consciousness
* The amplification of historically marginalized voices and broader cultural exchange
* The complexities, nuances, and contradictions of Southern identity

Proposals selected for exhibition will receive:

* $750.00 for the display of the exhibition
* $150.00 for an on-campus artist’s talk
* Up to $200.00 (via reimbursement) toward artwork shipping and/or artist travel

The Gallery will also provide insurance coverage for the artworks when on view at Furman,

disseminate marketing materials, and host a catered reception.

Proposals for Gallery Exhibitions 

The Department of Art at Furman University invites applications for the Fall 2026 True Inspiration Artist-in-Residence. This is the second True Inspiration Artist-in-Residence opportunity of the 2026 season. The program awards an eight-to-sixteen-week residency on Furman’s campus in Greenville, SC to a practicing artist or designer to continue the development of ongoing studio projects and/or embark upon new creative endeavors. The Artist-in-Residence receives a $6,000 stipend, a private studio in the Roe Art Building, institutional affiliation with Furman University, and a solo exhibition in the Department of Art’s Thompson Art Gallery. The ideal resident will have a practice that complements and expands upon the Department’s concentrations in drawing, painting, photography, ceramics, graphic design, sculpture, printmaking, and art history. This resident’s practice will also demonstrate a capacity for interdisciplinary dialogue and seek to engage both Furman’s academic community and the broader regional public.

**Residency Themes**

This cycle, the Department of Art is especially interested in artists and designers whose work engages one or more of the following themes:

*   Multiplicities, pluralities, copies, and redundancies
    
*   Alternative approaches to traditional materials, histories, and hierarchies
    
*   Graphic design’s contribution to social activism, community organization, and protest
    
*   Environmental sustainability and technological consciousness
    
*   The amplification of historically marginalized voices and broader cultural exchange
    
*   The complexities, nuances, and contradictions of Southern identity
    

**Residency Expectations**

*   During their time at Furman, it is expected that the resident will:
    
*   Reside at Furman for a period of at least 8 weeks and a maximum of 16 weeks during the Fall 2026 semester (August 25 to December 8, 2026). The resident may elect when and how long the residency takes place.
    
*   Make significant progress on a proposed studio project.
    
*   Provide work for a six-week solo exhibition in the Thompson Art Gallery during the Spring 2027 semester. The exhibition should include work from the residency project but may include earlier work as well. The selected resident will submit a formal exhibition proposal in October 2026, prior to the conclusion of the residency. The Gallery is approximately 1100 sq ft with 115 linear ft of exhibitable wall space.
    
*   Give two formal artist / gallery talks. The first will be a welcome talk at the start of the residency and the second a gallery talk at the exhibition’s reception.
    
*   Design and run a one-day workshop for Furman students.
    
*   Hold at least 20 hours of open studio hours per week. Most of these 20 hours should be scheduled during working hours (weekdays, 9am to 5pm) to facilitate engagement with Furman’s students and faculty.

For the duration of their residency, the resident receives:

* A $6,000 stipend to offset material and living expenses
* A $500 budget for supplies
* 24-hour access to a private studio in Furman’s Roe Art Building
* Access, pending demonstrated experience, to the Department of Art’s equipment (the

resident is responsible for all associated material costs)

As an affiliate of Furman University, the resident also receives free access to the physical and

institutional resources of the university’s larger academic community.

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