Founded in 2016 by Jessica Gaynelle Moss, The Roll Up CLT is an artist residency program for Black contemporary artists practicing across disciplines. The Roll Up CLT is generously funded by individual donors and The Black Art Futures Fund Grant, The Arts & Science Council, McKnight Foundation, Artists Residencies Consortium, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Life Membership Foundation, #CharlotteisCreative HUG Grant program, Foundation For The Carolinas, The Reemprise Fund, Common Field, and The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.
The Roll Up CLT connects national artists, local talent and community residents through innovative pedagogical collaborations, participatory interventions and art creation over the residency period and beyond. We transform neighborhoods, bring people together, and create a platform that nurtures our global Black arts community.
Each year, The Roll Up CLT invites an artist to stay for a duration that is agreed upon by both parties. Artists are provided with free housing, space to produce and exhibit work, an unrestricted honorarium, transportation stipend, food and meal stipend, and material budget. While in residence, artists are supported with opportunities to develop programming in partnership with other organizations and are encouraged to collaborate with local artists and neighbors.
An extension of the residency is a Fellowship and Internship program. This component provides financial support, mentorship, professional credentials and the practical experience necessary to establish a formal career in the arts.
The Roll Up CLT is committed to collaborating with Black artists through every step of our process. Our Advisory Board consists of all Black women including, arts nonprofit CrownKeepers' Director Davita Galloway, The North Carolina Poet Laureate Jaki Shelton Green and The L’Louise Arts Foundation Founder La Keisha Leek.
You can support this project by donating H E R E .
The 2018 Roll Up resident artist was award-winning international photographer, physician and educator Zun Lee. Zun was supported by Roll Up Fellowship recipient Carey J. King.
The 2019 Roll Up resident was visual artist, educator and freedom fighter $HAN Wallace from East Baltimore, MD. $HAN was supported by Roll Up Fellowship recipient Terry Suave.
The 2020 Roll Up resident was multi-disciplinary artist and community organizer Seitu Jones from Minneapolis, Minnesota. Seitu's residency is hosted in partnership with Brew House Arts in Pittsburgh, PA.
The 2021 - 2022 Roll Up residents were literary artists Ashley Nickens and Kia O. Moore from Charlotte, NC.
The 2023 Roll Up resident was Los Angeles–based photographer Adam Davis. Adam was supported by Roll Up Fellowship recipient Xross Nebulon with additional support from the 2018 Fellowship recipient Carey J. King.












