Three emerging visual artists and one creative writer will "live free and create" in a 1920s-era Cadillac store currently under renovation in downtown Spartanburg as part of the new HUB-BUB Artists-in-Residence Program. Applications from creative people aged 20 to 30 are being accepted through Feb. 1, 2006, for this innovative, 11-month program.

The residencies are associated with the HUB-BUB.com arts movement in Spartanburg, founded earlier this year by the city's young artists, musicians, writers and activists. The program has been fully funded for its first three years by generous private donors in Spartanburg. Applications are available at www.hub-bub.com

Kerry Ferguson, director of HUB-BUB, said the artists-in-residence will move into their third-floor live/work studios in June 2006. The program will pay all rents and utilities and will also provide a part-time job paying up to $150 a week. The residents will staff an in-house gallery and entertainment venue that will offer weekly films, music performances, exhibits and readings.

The creative writer will serve as an apprentice to the Hub City Writers Project, doing everything from hosting poetry readings and writing web copy to packing boxes and invoicing. "This is a terrific learning opportunity for a writer who wants to understand the nuts and bolts of the small press world," said Betsy Teter, executive director of the Hub City Writers Project.

"First, we want to concentrate four pre-professional, motivated young artists in one area so that they can exchange ideas, views, skills, and stories, " Ferguson said. "Second, we want to provide them with an extended time period to produce their artwork and a part-time job so their portfolio can grow and evolve without time and money constraints.

"And finally, we want to work with these residents to create the most dynamic, diverse and different arts complex around." The live/work spaces are best suited to 2-D artists, as well as bookmakers, paper artists, filmmakers, writers or computer artists. The program cannot accommodate welders, potters or glass artists at this time.

The ideal candidates for this program are progressive, self-directed artists who are motivated and passionate about creating new and challenging art. Applicants are judged on their application, the quality of their work and compatibility with the HUB-BUB arts program. The program is open to Upstate artists as well as those from the Southeast and beyond. For more information call 864-582-0056.