Eno Arts Mill Studio Guidelines

The Eno Arts Mill is located within the historic Eno Mill in the West Hillsborough neighborhood. The Orange County Arts Commission (OCAC) currently occupies two spaces that contain eleven artist studios, a gallery, classroom, and the OCAC offices. Click here to view a map.

All studios include 24/7 access (workspace only), wifi, utilities, opportunities to exhibit work, communal gathering and workspace, and access to a loading dock and restrooms. Both spaces are on the first floor of the mill.

Applications are accepted from artists, designers, and craftspeople looking to further their professional careers through dedicated studio practice. Studios will be awarded based on criteria listed below.

The OCAC is looking for creatives who:

• Are community-minded and will benefit from a co-working, semiprivate studio environment
• Display commitment to their craft through an existing body of work
• Create original work
• Are willing to participate in monthly public events, such as First Friday Art Walk. The space will not be open to the general public other than during special events and by appointment with studio tenants.

Tenant Selection Considerations:

• The OCAC seeks to represent a variety of artistic disciplines.
• The OCAC seeks to include artists of varying levels in their career.
• The OCAC seeks to include artists of varying ages, races, and backgrounds.
• Will this person’s practice work within the space available? 
• Does this person already have a place to work?
• Will this person use the space regularly? Will they participate in open studios and other public events?

Important Information:

• Filling out an application does not guarantee studio space.
• The Mill Studios are work only, we do not provide live-work spaces.
• A security deposit of one month’s rent plus first month’s rent, which may be pro-rated, are due at lease signing. The lease and payments are handled electronically.
• To ensure the safety and security of all tenants, accepted tenants must be willing to undergo a criminal background check.
• All tenants must hold a minimum $1M general liability policy showing Orange County and Hedgehog Holdings (owners of the Eno River Mill) as additional insured. You can anticipate this costing between $200-$500 per year, or approximately $20-$50 per month. Certificate of Insurance must be on file before the lease is processed. The OCAC can connect you with a local insurance agent to assist you, if needed.  Please note: this is a liability policy ONLY; it does not protect your artwork in the event of damage, theft, or natural disaster. Artists are encouraged (but not required) to insure their artwork and belongings through a separate policy.
• Tenants are required to sign a one-year lease which may be renewed annually for up to three years. 
• Tenants are required to agree to our Tenant Agreement Code of Conduct.
• For studios that do not have access to natural light, interior lighting has been installed which mimics natural light (5,000 kelvins).
• Equipment or materials that produce excessive fumes requiring special ventilation, smoke, fire, excessive dust, noise, or permanent damage to the facilities are not appropriate for this space. Preservatives/solvents including turpentine, ammonia, sodium fluoride, phenol or mercury compounds, as well as spray paint/spray fixative and dry pigments are not allowed. Only low-odor or odor-free mineral spirits are allowed. All solvent-soaked rags must be placed in a self-closing waste disposal can and emptied on a regular basis.
• Tenants must possess awareness of the health, safety, and hospitable working environment of other artist tenants and a respect for the upkeep and preservation of the facilities. This includes but is not limited to noise pollution (eg: loud equipment and music), use of toxic materials, and the use and proper disposal of studio waste (eg: solvent soaked rags, hot wax, turpentine, acetone, etc) and keeping common areas clean. Artists will also avoid unsolicited critiques and only offer feedback when asked.
• Only the Back Studios (studios 1-6) are equipped for ceramics. 
• Pets are not allowed.

Please note: this is not a grant application. This is a report form for prior grantees of the arts commission.  For current grant opportunities, please visit www.artsorange.org/ocacgrants.  

All reports are due by Monday, July 13, 2026, by 11:59pm, unless your program/project has been delayed and you have directly communicated with OCAC director Katie Murray regarding your situation. Reports must be received by the due date in order to be eligible for future grant opportunities. Organizations receiving more than one grant must submit a separate report for each grant received.  

(Background image: "Libertad" by Cornelio Campos)

Desplácese hacia abajo para ver la versión en español.

CALL FOR ARTISTS

COLORS OF SOUL,  An Exhibit of Inter-Latin American Artist Collective (ILAAC)

The Inter-Latin American Artist Collective (ILAAC), in partnership with ArtsOrange, seeks to showcase the talent of Latino artists in the Triangle through its exhibit, Colors of Soul. Visual artists are invited to submit works for the exhibit opening Friday, September 4, 2026 at the Eno Arts Mill Gallery  in Hillsborough. Selected works will be on view and for sale through the end of September.

GUIDELINES

All submissions are due by 11:59pm on Sunday, July 12. Open to visual artists who identify as Latino/Hispanic currently living in Orange, Durham, Wake, Chatham, Caswell, Person, and Alamance counties.

• Artists may submit up to three works for the exhibit. An image list with the title, size, medium, year, edition, and price is required. Images should be a minimum 300 resolution.
• All mediums are allowed
• All submissions must be for sale
• All work must be no older than 2025
• Two and three-dimensional works allowed
• There are no size limitations
• Works on paper and canvases less than 1″ thick must be properly framed and wired (no sawtooth hangers)
• WORK SOLD: For all work sold, the Orange County Arts Alliance (OCAA) (on behalf of ArtsOrange) will retain a 40% commission. The OCAA will collect all monies from the sale of artwork, including tax, through the end of September. Artists will receive payment through the online payment processor Melio by October 31.
• UNSOLD WORK: Artists must pick up their work Saturday, September 26 or Monday, September 28 (times TBD). Work not picked up within 30 days of show close become property of ArtsOrange.
• Artists agree to allow the ArtsOrange use of images of artwork for promotional purposes (credit will be given).

Submissions will be reviewed and the show curated by ILAAC. Selected artists will be notified no later than Monday, July 6. Artists are invited to the exhibit opening Friday, September 4 from 6-9pm at the Eno Arts Mill in Hillsborough featuring live music, food trucks and beverages, kids’ activities and open studio tours. ­

IMPORTANT DATES

• Call for Artists open June 9 - Sunday, July 12, 11:59pm
•  Artists notified by Monday July 20
• Work drop-off Tuesday, Sept 1 (12pm-7pm)
• Show open Friday, September 4, 6-9pm at Eno Arts Mill
• Show close Friday, September 25, 5pm 
•  Unsold work pick up Saturday, September 26 and Monday, September 28, times TBD
• Payments issued no later than October 31

(Imagen de fondo: "Libertad", de Cornelio Campos)

CONVOCATORIA PARA ARTISTAS

COLORES DEL ALMA: Es una exposición del Colectivo de Artistas Interlatinoamericanos. (ILAAC, por sus siglas en inglés).

El Colectivo de Artistas Interlatinoamericanos (ILAAC), en colaboración con ArtsOrange, busca exhibir el talento de los artistas latinos en la región del "Triángulo" a través de su exposición Colores del Alma. La invitación queda abierta para artistas visuales que deseen solicitar su participación en la exhibición que se inaugurará el viernes 4 de septiembre del 2026, en la Galería Eno Arts Mills en Hillsborough. Las obras seleccionadas se exhibirán y estarán a la venta hasta finales de septiembre.

BASES

• Todas las propuestas deben presentarse a más tardar a las 11:59 p. m. del domingo 12 de julio.
• La convocatoria está abierta a artistas visuales que se identifiquen como latinos y/o hispanos y que residan actualmente en los condados de Orange, Durham, Wake, Chatham, Caswell, Person y Alamance.
• Cada artista puede enviar hasta tres obras para la exposición. Se requiere una lista de imágenes que incluya el título, tamaño, técnica, año, edición y precio de cada obra.
• Las imágenes deben tener una resolución mínima de 300 ppp.
• Se aceptan obras realizadas en cualquier técnica o medio.
• Todas las obras enviadas deben estar a la venta.
• Ninguna obra debe ser anterior al año 2025.
• Se aceptan obras bidimensionales y tridimensionales.
• No hay límite en el tamaño de las obras.
• Las obras sobre papel y los lienzos con un grosor inferior a 1 pulgada deben presentarse
• Debidamente enmarcados y con el cableado o sistema de suspensión instalado (no se aceptan colgadores tipo "diente de sierra”).
• OBRAS VENDIDAS: Por cada obra vendida, Orange County Arts Alliance (OCAA) —a nombre de ArtsOrange— retendrá una comisión del 40%. La OCAA se encargará de recaudar la totalidad de los fondos provenientes de la venta de las obras de arte, incluidos los impuestos, hasta finales de septiembre. Los artistas recibirán su pago a través del procesador de pagos en línea Melio, a más tardar el 31 de octubre.
• OBRAS NO VENDIDAS: Los artistas deberán recoger sus obras el sábado 26 de septiembre o el lunes 28 de septiembre (horarios por confirmar). Las obras que no sean recogidas en un plazo de 30 días tras la clausura de la exposición pasarán a ser propiedad de ArtsOrange.
• Los artistas aceptan otorgar a ArtsOrange el derecho de utilizar imágenes de sus obras con fines promocionales (se otorgará el crédito correspondiente al artista).

Las obras sometidas por cada artista pasarán por un proceso de valoración. La exposición será curada por ILAAC. Los artistas seleccionados serán notificados a más tardar el lunes 6 de julio. Los artistas quedan invitados a la inauguración de la exposición el viernes 4 de septiembre, de 6:00 p. m. a 9:00 p. m., en la Eno Arts Mill en Hillsborough; el evento contará con música, ventas de comida y bebida, actividades para niños y recorridos por los estudios.

FECHAS IMPORTANTES

• Convocatoria abierta para los artistas del 22 de mayo al 22 de junio
•  Notificación a los artistas: del domingo 20 de julio.
• Entrega de obras: martes 1º de septiembre, de 12:00 pm a 7 pm.- Apertura de la exposición: viernes 4 de septiembre, de 6:00 p. m. a 9:00 p. m., en la Eno Arts Mill
• Obras no vendidas: deben recogerse entre el sábado 26 de septiembre y el lunes 28 de septiembre (horarios por confirmar)
• Emisión de pagos: a más tardar el sábado 31 de octubre.