The Roll Up
The Roll Up has grown into a nationally recognized platform for socially engaged practice, anchored by a residency program for Black contemporary artists and expanded through fellowships, internships, public programs, and direct philanthropic support. The Roll Up has raised over $625,000 to support artist-led, community-rooted work. Over the past nine years, The Roll Up has hosted seven visiting artist residencies across multiple states, produced three short films through our Fellowship program, and presented more than 300 public events. In total, we’ve supported over 3,500 artists nationwide and distributed $250,000 in direct, unrestricted artist support.
This work is grounded in a practice that recognizes systems -- legal, spatial, cultural -- as materials just as much as wood, canvas or pigment. It is designed to exist in everyday spaces, meets people where they are, and pays close attention to how history is embedded in place. All decisions are informed by lived experience, research, history and a commitment to care and accountability.
Over the past 9 years, we have activated a range of culturally and historically-embedded spaces across geographies—from a residential duplex with a garage that physically rolls up to invite neighbors inside; to a Black-owned coffee shop in a neighborhood facing gentrification; to a transitional housing residence for women; to public libraries and institutional settings such as museums, schools and universities. These “containers” position art-making as a tool for social inquiry and transformation. Rather than a static artwork, The Roll Up evolves in response to the evolving needs of the people and the place.
Each year, The Roll Up invites Black artists from across the nation to participate in a transformative site-specific residency. These visiting artists receive furnished living spaces, stipends, and holistic support that empowers them to thrive creatively while engaging with the local community. An extension of the Residency is a Fellowship program and Internship component that supports emergent artists/administrators under the age of 30 with compensation, mentorship, professional credentials and the practical experience necessary to establish a career in the field. By connecting national artists, local creatives, and neighborhood residents through participatory interventions, pedagogical collaborations and collective art-making, The Roll Up functions as a catalyst — bridging artists and transforming neighborhoods across borders.
Our Advisory Board helps with the selection of our visiting resident artists, fellowship recipients and interns and consists of all Black women artists and arts workers including arts nonprofit CrownKeepers' Director Davita Galloway, The North Carolina Poet Laureate Jaki Shelton Green, The L’Louise Arts Foundation Founder La Keisha Leek, and Brianna Daniels serves as the program manager.
Previous Roll Up residents include : Zun Lee, 2018 (Toronto Canada); SHAN Wallace, 2019 (Baltimore MD); Ashley Nickens, 2020 (Charlotte NC); Kia O. Moore, 2020 (Charlotte NC); Adam Davis, 2023 (Los Angeles CA); Seitu Jones, 2023 (Minneapolis MN) ; and most recently Tierra Armstrong, 2025 (Miami FL). Previous Roll Up fellows include : Carey J King (2018), Terry Suave (2019), Nia Breezy (2023), and DaRemen J. (2025).
The Roll Up 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.
Mission Statement
The Roll Up activates everyday spaces through socially engaged, site-specific art practices that are grounded in collaboration, bridging connections and transforming neighborhoods.
Vision Statement
We envision a world where art is not confined to institutions or objects, but lives within the shared spaces, conversations and the everyday exchanges that shape our daily lives.
$250k+
9
Years of experience
Direct Artist Support
"Jessica embodies an ethic of kindness and service, and has created a mirroring residency program that was flexible enough to adapt in a way that encouraged my personal development, while also continuing to meet the shifting needs of the Charlotte community. During my residency, I was allowed the space to deepen my analysis of the city I've called home for ten years, and gained clarity on the role I wish to play here as a citizen artist. The suggestions and feedback provided through the program helped foster new community connections, and a personal ethic that I will carry with me for a lifetime."
- Ashley Nickens, 2020 Roll Up CLT resident artist
★★★★★