What it is
Most artists get their visuals done here, their performance coached somewhere else, and their branding figured out alone — if ever. The result is a career built in fragments.
The Residency is different. It is one integrated engagement, one methodology, one team — working across every dimension of your creative identity at once, so that when you emerge, everything is aligned.
Who this is for
The artist who knows they're ready for their next level
- Emerging artists with real momentum — music that's moving, an audience that's growing — but a creative identity that hasn't caught up yet
- Independent artists preparing for a major release, tour, or career pivot who need everything to align
- Artists who've outgrown their current visual world and know it
- Artists who want one trusted creative partner — not five freelancers pulling in different directions
- Artists who understand that how they look, move, and present is inseparable from the music itself
Who this is not for
This residency is not the right fit for everyone
- Artists who prioritize speed over depth — our work takes time because it takes thought
- Artists looking for trend-chasing aesthetics rather than a lasting creative identity
- Artists who are not ready to be challenged on their vision, their habits, or their direction
- Anyone looking for a one-off deliverable — the Residency is a relationship, not a transaction
- Artists who need someone to execute their ideas exactly as stated — we are creative partners, not production vendors
The four pillars
Everything your creative identity needs, under one roof
01 — Artist Development
Identity. Direction. Confidence.
We start at the root — who this artist is, what they stand for, and how their sound translates into a full creative presence. This is the foundation everything else builds on.
- Artist identity deep-dive session
- Positioning and differentiation strategy
- Career arc and narrative direction
- Artist bio and messaging framework
- Long-term creative vision document
02 — Creative Direction
Visual language. Story. Aesthetic world.
We define how this artist is seen — the color, the mood, the visual references, the overall aesthetic universe that makes every piece of content feel undeniably theirs.
- Creative vision and concept document
- Visual mood board and aesthetic direction
- Color palette and style guidelines
- Content and campaign direction notes
- Brand alignment review across all surfaces
03 — Live Performance Direction
Stage. Presence. Command.
A great artist on stage is not an accident. We build the full performance world — show flow, movement direction, staging, and the moments that audiences remember long after the lights go down.
- Performance concept and theme development
- Setlist structure and show flow design
- Movement, staging, and blocking direction
- Rehearsal feedback and refinement sessions
- Final stage direction outline
04 — Brand Identity
Recognition. Cohesion. Longevity.
We build the visual infrastructure of the artist's brand — not just how they look today, but a foundation that grows with them. Cohesive, intentional, and built to last.
- Brand discovery and positioning session
- Visual identity system and direction
- Color palette and typography guidance
- Visual consistency framework
- Brand identity reference document
The methodology
How the 90 days actually unfold
Phase 01
Diagnose
Weeks 1–2. We spend the opening phase entirely in listening mode. Deep discovery sessions covering your music, your career history, your visual influences, what's working and what isn't, and where you want to be in 2 years. No assumptions. No templates. We learn you before we build anything.
Days 1–14Phase 02
Architect
Weeks 3–5. We build the strategic framework — identity, positioning, creative direction, visual world, and performance concept. This is the blueprint phase. Every decision here informs every execution decision that follows. You review, react, and we refine until it's right.
Days 15–35Phase 03
Build
Weeks 6–10. The longest phase. We execute — visual identity systems, performance direction sessions, content direction, creative assets. This is where the strategic work becomes the physical work. Iteration is part of the process; we build in feedback loops throughout.
Days 36–70Phase 04
Activate
Weeks 11–13. We close by preparing you to operate independently. A final strategy session, a complete creative playbook, performance readiness review, and a documented roadmap for what comes next. You leave with everything you need to maintain and grow what we built together.
Days 71–90The investment
What it costs to build something that lasts
Starting investment
$15,000
Final investment based on scope. Payment plans available.
What's included in every Residency
- Full artist identity development and positioning strategy
- Complete creative direction and visual world document
- Live performance direction — concept, blocking, rehearsal sessions
- Brand identity system and guidelines
- All creative assets produced during the engagement
- Weekly strategy and check-in sessions throughout
- Final creative playbook — your operating manual post-residency
- 90-day post-residency support via email
Kayla Aniah
Founder · Lead Creative Director
Master of Music Business — Berklee College of Music
B.S. Business Management & Digital Marketing — Saint Xavier University
Expertise across creative direction, performance design, artist development, visual production, and brand identity
Chicago-based · Available internationally · Working with US and global artists
The Residency exists because I watched too many talented artists get their creative work done piecemeal — a different freelancer for every need, no throughline, no strategy — and wonder why nothing felt cohesive.
My background spans performance theory, visual styling, choreography, branding, and music business strategy. I hold a Master's in Music Business from Berklee College of Music — which means the creative work I do is always grounded in how the industry actually operates.
I built the Residency to be the engagement I wished existed — one that treats an artist's creative identity as a whole thing, not a list of deliverables. The methodology is mine. The results are yours.
Common questions
What artists ask before they apply
Do I have to be signed or have a large following?
No. The Residency is designed for emerging artists with real momentum — not necessarily a major label deal or a large audience. What matters is that you're serious about your craft, your career, and the process. We look for artists who are ready to grow, not artists who are already there.
What does the application process look like?
You'll complete a short application that gives us a picture of where you are, where you're headed, and what you're looking for. If it seems like a potential fit, we'll schedule a 20-minute strategy call to assess alignment — and to make sure this engagement will actually move your career forward in a meaningful way.
Is this done remotely or in person?
Both. Strategy sessions, creative reviews, and most deliverable work happens remotely. Performance direction sessions and any production work are conducted in person, primarily in Chicago. For artists outside Chicago, we schedule intensive working sessions and handle the rest remotely. We also travel internationally for the right engagements.
Can the Residency be customized to my specific needs?
Yes. The four-pillar framework is the foundation of every Residency, but the depth and emphasis of each pillar is calibrated to where you are and what your career actually needs. Some artists come in needing heavy performance work. Others need the brand identity rebuilt from the ground up. We diagnose before we build.
What happens after the 90 days?
You leave with a complete creative playbook — a documented system for how to maintain and grow everything we built together. For artists who want ongoing creative support, we offer a monthly retainer option following the Residency. You'll also have 90 days of post-residency email access to our team for questions, feedback, and direction as you move forward.
How many artists do you take per quarter?
We limit Residency engagements intentionally. The depth of this work demands focus — we cannot give every artist the attention this engagement requires if we're running too many at once. Availability is announced quarterly. If you're interested, applying early is strongly recommended.
Ready to build something real
This is where your
next chapter starts
Applications for the Artist Transformation Residency are reviewed on a rolling basis. We accept a limited number of artists per quarter.
Apply for the residencyNot sure if you're ready? Book a free 20-minute discovery call first.