about the residency program
grain of salt mag was founded with the intention of establishing a space and a community where creatives could grow and share their work regardless of their prior experience. artistic spaces have historically been dominated by patriarchal values that scrutinize those who are not cis men for not having perfected pieces before sharing them. but where there is no room to workshop, to fuck up, to share, there is no authentic growth.
in addition to this obstacle, there is also a major barrier to gaining experience that disproportionately impacts marginalized identities. unpaid internships, artistic expenses, nepotism and noninclusive work environments all discourage young professionals and artists of diverse backgrounds from pursuing their passions. as young professionals and artists that have suffered from these hurdles, we created our own space to gain experience and we wanted to open that opportunity up to others. for these reasons, we strongly encourage BIPOC and LGBTQ+ individuals to apply.
we want to further implement these values into our structure by creating a cohort of individuals in a space where exploration and fucking up is encouraged. the residency is a semester-long commitment that’ll give you hands-on experience in a department of your interest all while directly supporting our long-term efforts. we’ll provide you with the support and collaboration necessary to leave this residency with a strong portfolio you can share with the world.
what will you get from this program?
- networking opportunities with young professionals
career development resources and advice
the opportunity to build your portfolio/resume
the space to workshop ideas and grow!
a collaborative, passionate community of like minded individuals
new friends all over the world 🙂 <3
reviews and example works
“being a resident at gos helped me learn how to juggle multiple deadlines and collaborate with a remote team in different time zones. it’s a great opportunity for creatives to build their portfolio and feel good about what they’re working towards. i met weekly with a small team of graphic designers to plan our tasks. isa encouraged us to get involved, but never pressured us to take on more than we could handle as full-time students. i liked that i could choose my projects rather than being assigned — i was able to experiment and try something a little different each time. i made social media graphics, magazine spreads, storyboards, web banners and editorial illustrations. never a boring day!”
-lily johnson, former graphic design resident and current graphic designer
“i am not really someone who is good at connecting with people who aren’t directly in front of me, but when i was a 2021 gos resident, that changed for me! not only was i able to meet so many cool people like my fellow writers, i was able to get mentor-type figures which aren’t available in my day-to-day life! i highly recommend that you sign up, if not for improving your skills in your specific field or to learn how to succeed in professional industries, but to get to know some of the coolest people from all over <3”
-abi lee, former article writing resident and current staff writer + content editor
check out abi’s work!
Why Aren’t You Listening to Benét Already?
“the residency program offered through grain of salt is truly the perfect way to get introduced to the professional world of journalism/art/creativity. every single person involved is the most supportive person you will ever meet and want nothing more than to help you grow! i applied for the residency program on a whim to try and boost my resume for college applications and came out with a multitude of new skills, friends and a permanent position. i learned so much about not only copy editing but also how to communicate with others. the program is truly an amazing place to start if you’re just dipping your toes into the professional world of creativity, or if you’re simply interested in continuing creating. grain of salt has shown me so much and i highly recommend the opportunity to anyone even considering a creative career path!”
-jo stewart, former copy editor resident and current head of copy!
check out jo’s work writing copy for this video!
“i loved being a grain of salt resident because i got to be part of a supportive community that allowed me to further explore an area outside of my degree. the values all grain of salt work is based on spoke to the type of work i like to do, but the community element is what makes it truly special. as a grain of salt resident, you not only get vast experience and portfolio building opportunities, but you also get to connect with young creatives from all over the world. i loved my experience so much that i was able to stay on as a social media specialist!”
-anna lu, former social media resident and current social media specialist!
FAQ
what positions do you offer?
our program is divided between creative and developmental positions. creative positions include article writing, creative writing and visual artistry. developmental positions include public relations, social media, audio/video production, copy editing and graphic design.
however, not all positions are available each semester due to mentor/team availability! therefore, each semester’s opportunities may vary.
when does the residency program operate?
we follow a semester schedule. therefore, we offer the residency program for the traditional fall, spring and summer semester.
how long is the residency program?
each residency program lasts for 3-4 months.
is this a paid opportunity?
all money raised through grain of salt goes back into our community, such as paying for our website, purchasing creative cloud for our designers or to fundraising drives for local organizations that have to do with our projects. so while residencies are unpaid, so are all grain of salt mag positions.
what is the time commitment?
that is totally up to you! since this is an unpaid opportunity and the majority of our applicants are students (like us!), we have built the residency to be a flexible program that works with your schedule, not ours. your mentor will provide a basic structure to your program, but ultimately, the amount of work and time you commit to your position will be whatever you have the capacity to complete!
is the residency program in-person or remote?
all grain of salt mag positions are entirely remote — so you can work with us from wherever you are!
contact us
if you have any other questions, comments or concerns, please email gos.residency@gmail.com