Thank you for your interest in our Maker-in-Residence program.

Please fill out the following form in order to apply for the 2022 Trimester 2 program.

Applications are due by 10pm Sunday, May 22. Applicants will be contacted via email about the status of their application within 1-2 weeks.

About the program:

The maker-in-residence (MIR) program at Tech Valley Center of Gravity was created with the intention of empowering makers and creators in our community. The program offers local makers the chance to pursue a creative, social impact-driven project of their choice at the COG with dedicated space and resources, including a complimentary membership & equipment training, a small project supply budget and a $500 stipend. The program is broken into three core elements: the Project, Community Engagement, and Long-Term Maker support.

This application offers the chance to apply to the residency program at one of two levels: as an MIR, or as an Emerging Maker-in-Residence. The residency schedule and focus is the main difference between the EMIR and MIR residency programs. The EMIR program offers makers with limited professional experience the chance to participate in the MIR program, with the program offering a trimester of training and classes for the resident before they begin their MIR duties. If the MIR program interests you, but you feel you are not yet prepared for the duties expected of the MIR, we encourage you to apply for the EMIR position. The application process is the same for both levels.

Application Requirements and Eligibility:

This residency program is only open to Capital Region residents whose taxable income in the last year was $39,526 or less. Applicants must be individuals; teams are not accepted. All participants must be 18 or older. To be considered a resident of the Capital Region, you need to be a resident of one of the following counties: Albany, Columbia, Fulton, Greene, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Warren, Washington.

Application Resources:

We have provided a blank copy of the entire application here. We strongly recommend reading through the entire application prior to applying. In addition, we encourage you to read through the information provided on the program webpage, in order to better understand the program elements, requirements, benefits, timeline etc.

TVCOG is hosting a MIR Application Workshop from 5-7pm on Monday, May 9, which will include guidance on filling out the application from TVCOG staff, with time for Q&A and open writing time. Learn more or register here.

Please note, clicking "save progress" will only save the application in the browser you are using. You will not be able to access saved answers from another browser or device.

Notice Regarding Personal Information: 

All information provided on this page is confidential and will be provided to TVCOG staff only. This page will not be included in the copies of the application provided to the selection committee, ensuring that all applicants are anonymous in an effort to remove potential bias from our selection process.

Basic Information 

This residency program is only open to Capital Region residents whose taxable income in the last year was $39,526 or less. If your application indicates ineligibility, it will not be passed along to the selection committee.

Financial Eligibility* 

Please provide your annual taxable income as of last year. Please note, we reserve the right to request proof of income upon acceptance into the program. This information will be kept confidential.

Demographic Information (Optional)

The board and staff of the Tech Valley Center of Gravity are committed to the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion. We seek to create a genuine, inclusive, and safe environment for makers of all backgrounds. We promote the uniqueness of personal identity and encourage applicants from traditionally under-represented communities to apply to our programs. 

The following questions are completely voluntary, and are for grant reporting and informational purposes only. 

If you would prefer not to answer, you can just leave the field blank. All answers will be kept completely confidential.

About the Maker

This program will look different for everyone who participates in it, but no matter the Maker, the residency remains a collaborative, community-focused program. Our Maker Residents are expected to be an active member of our community, represent us in various media, and collaborate with staff throughout the duration of their program. 

So, we want to take this chance to learn a little more about you, and why you would be a good fit in this program. 

Maker Statement* 

Tell us a little about yourself! Please provide us with a short (3-5 paragraphs) "Maker Statement," introducing us to you and your work. We want to know about your background, the kinds of things you make, and your philosophy as a Maker. 

Answers can be provided as attachments, or entered directly into the text box. You do not need to provide both. In addition, while this section of the form is designed for written answers, if you feel that you can better answer via a different format or medium (video, presentation, etc.) please feel free to do so. 

Program Interest*

Tell us a little bit about why you want to join our community as our MIR or EMIR. Why are you interested in being a part of this program? What skills do you hope to gain and/or share? How will participating in this residency support you on your personal creative journey?

Answers can be provided as attachments, or entered directly into the text box. You do not need to provide both. In addition, while this section of the form is designed for written answers, if you feel that you can better answer via a different format or medium (video, presentation, etc.) please feel free to do so. 

Schedule Availability* 

This program offers a flexible schedule, and time requirements vary depending on the project, but the MIR will need to be available to meet with TVCOG staff during regular business hours several times during the program. Our office hours are 11am-4pm, Monday-Friday.

In order to help us design the right program schedule for you, please tell us a little bit about your current schedule/availability for the duration of the program. 

Portfolio* 

Please provide a portfolio of projects you have completed in the past. Please note that this does not need to be a professional-grade portfolio; we are just looking to gather information about your skill level and the types of projects you create. We recommend sharing at least 5 projects with us in order to help us get a better sense of your work.

About the Residency

The main requirements of your residency will be completing your signature Maker Project (a project of your own choosing) and completing the Community Engagement requirement, which will take the form of free workshops/seminars/events designed to share your skills with the public. In addition, our Maker Residents will serve as active media ambassadors for TVCOG.

In this section, we ask you to provide your vision for your residency. We want to know what the program could look like for you, keeping in mind the core elements of the program.  

The Project Proposal*

What project would you like to pursue here during your residency? Please provide a detailed project proposal. Assume a dedicated project materials budget of $400 and 24/7 access to all machinery in the general makerspace and in the Prototyping Center.  Sketches, computer renderings and rough project timelines are encouraged. 

Project proposals should be for creative, social-impact driven projects that make use of multiple work zones here at TVCOG. To find out more details about the equipment we have available, please check our website here. 

TVCOG Equipment You Plan to Use*

Which work zones will you be making use of to complete your project?

Community Engagement and Skill Sharing 

Your community engagement element should make use of your project and the skills you've honed during project creation. For example, if your Maker Project was a sculptural piece, you might decide to host a series of free workshops exploring the process that you used. The Community Engagement element will be planned and designed by the Resident in conjunction with TVCOG staff. 

Additional Information (Optional)

Open Share

Please share anything else that you feel would help us get to know you better. If you have a resume or reference letters to share, attach them here. If you have follow-up questions about the program, you may also enter those in the text field below.

Maker In Residence Program Agreement*

This is not an offer of employment, and as a “Maker-in-Residence”  (MIR)  or "Emerging Maker-in-Residence" (EMIR) you will be considered an independent contractor. The MIR/EMIR is also considered a member of the Tech Valley Center of Gravity (TVCOG) and as such will be expected to abide by all TVCOG membership policies. 

Thank you for filling out this application! We look forward to reading it.