Hackerman Artist in Residence Proposals

2026 Jury Panel

Enoch Pratt Free Library is pleased to announce the jury panel for the 2026 Hackerman Artist in Residence Program. Each year the Library invites a cohort of jurors to review applications and make recommendations for our finalists. We are extremely grateful for their time and expertise.

Learn more about each of our jury members below.

Gage Branda

Gage Branda is a Filipino-American artist and educator. He received his BFA in Sculpture from the Maryland Institute College of Art. He has presented and exhibited in venues across the country, including: the Eleventh Hackers of Planet Earth Conference in New York, the Emerge Conference at Arizona State University, the San Jose Innovative Tech Museum, and the Strathmore Mansion. Prior to his work at AVAM, Branda taught K-12 students across Baltimore City in programs on nutrition, science, and art. Currently, he offers insight from his diverse interests—from bronze sculpture to biodesign—in the curation of the American Visionary Art Museum's exhibitions.  

avam.org 

Nerissa Paglinauan

Born in Baltimore to Filipino immigrants, Nerissa Paglinauan has been Program Manager at Towson University's Asian Arts & Culture Center since 2012 where she engages audiences through diverse exhibitions and programs. During that time, she has curated or co-curated 13 group exhibitions, including the annual Asia North Exhibition and Festival held in Baltimore’s Station North Arts District, all with the focus of centering underrepresented APIMEDA cultures, stories and experiences. Through these group shows, the AA&CC has developed a deep and diverse network of APIMEDA artists based in the Greater Baltimore and DMV region. In 2013, she helped organize Art Filipino: Works by Master Artists, AA&CC’s first exhibition featuring all Filipino artists, with works on loan from the collection of the Philippine Center New York, and from local collectors in the DMV. Paglinauan previously held editorial and production roles at National Public Radio and was a Program Director at the Living Classrooms Foundation. Also active as a musician, Paglinauan sings with the Baltimore Choral Arts Society and is a section leader of the Govans Presbyterian Chancel Choir. Paglinauan holds B.A. degrees in Music and Child Development from Tufts University.

towson.edu/asianarts

Program Information

The Hackerman  Artist in Residence (AIR) program is an opportunity for the selected visual artist to work as an independent contractor developing a new body of artwork or to further develop projects already in existence. The Hackerman Artist in Residence program aims to enhance the artistic and cultural life of Maryland by connecting established and emerging artists with Library resources and tools, creating meaningful connections with Library patrons, and contributing unique perspectives to our ever-evolving and growing community.

Program Goals

• Foster an inclusive and diverse space: Create opportunities for Library patrons to interact with professional artists from various disciplines, promoting equity and inclusivity.
• Enhance creative growth and exploration: Cultivate a thriving artistic scene in Baltimore by encouraging artists to explore and contribute to the city's cultural landscape.
• Facilitate meaningful collaborations: Offer a platform for the community to engage with professional artists.
• Enrich creative learning: Provide access to resources and services that support Library patrons in their artistic learning and exploration.
• Bridge the gap between art and community: Establish connections between artists and the Library community.

Stipend

The Pratt provides a stipend during the residency period. Our current stipend is $30,000 for 11 months, dependent on available funding, with some additional resources available for supply costs. We are unable to reimburse travel costs or provide housing for visiting artists.

Selection Process

Residents are carefully selected through a multi-round review process in which library staff and external jurors review and score applications.

Notification of application status will be made by May 23, 2025. 

Due to the high volume of applications received, we are able to provide individualized feedback only to the top nine applicants who are not selected for the residency.

More Information

For more information about the Artist in Residence program, please email air@prattlibrary.org.