About the Residency Coordinator position
Arrowmont’s Residency Coordinator helps manage the administration and operations for the Artists-in-Residence, Workstudy, Programming Internships, and Pentaculum programs. Reporting to the Director of National Programs, the coordinator handles the full application cycles—from creation and interview scheduling to participant onboarding, check-ins, and exit interviews. They also collaborate closely with the Chief Operations Officer, Marketing Department, and other internal teams to ensure all programs run smoothly.
Beyond administration, the coordinator serves as a community steward, ensuring participants feel valued and connected to the organization. By providing mentorship and support to a diverse community of emerging artists, they ensure Arrowmont’s residencies remain impactful, adaptable, and aligned with the needs of a new generation of creatives.
We interviewed Wadiah to learn more about her and what excites her about this new role at Arrowmont. Continue reading below about Wadiah Mohammad!
Q&A
Tell me a little bit more about yourself! Where you’re from/ your life/work prior to arriving at Arrowmont and any interesting facts we should know about you!
I grew up between Long Island, New York and Malaysia. My parents are first-gen immigrants, my dad is from Singapore and my mom is from Indonesia.
I’ve lived in NYC for many years, where I taught in an afterschool art program and picked up a lot of random gigs. Lately, I’ve been interested in exploring places outside of New York. I was a Campus Assistant at Haystack Mountain School of Crafts in Maine last year and it was life-changing! I also worked in administration & the galleries at Chautauqua Visual Arts after completing my undergraduate studies.
Are you still in school? If so, what are you studying? If not, what did you graduate with?
In 2020, I completed a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Visual Arts from SUNY Purchase College, School of Art & Design. It is a Bachelor of Science because it’s a research-based degree, and at the time I was interested in code + art / video art, but I have a strong foundation in and love for the traditional arts. I love craft because it makes me feel more connected to my cultural backgrounds.
What drew you to the Arrowmont Residency Coordinator position?
I’m drawn to creative communities, I’ve learned so much from working in similar places. After being an artist-in-residence at Chautauqua Visual Arts in 2019, it directed me into educational and administrative positions as I saw how important it is for artists to be able to have dedicated time to create in community.
What do you hope to achieve in this role?
Since it’s a new position, I am excited to help shape it. I hope to solidify this role and learn more about how I can best fulfill the needs of our artists-in-residence and work-study students.
What are you most excited about?
Meeting everyone passing through here. There’s so much going on here all the time and I admire that Arrowmont has a variety of opportunities available for artists at different stages in their career.
…And being so close to the Great Smoky Mountains!
Do you create art? If so, what medium/media do you work with?
I’ve been in a state of trying new things the past few years. Lately, I’ve been into photography and writing.
What’s your favorite thing about campus so far?
Seeing all the wildlife!
