Free Artist Residencies in Brooklyn, New York

Lakou NOU by Haiti Cultural Exchange (HCX)

Brooklyn, New York, United States

The Lakou NOU Artist Residency, organized by Haiti Cultural Exchange (HCX), supports artists of Haitian descent in creating and presenting new work within Brooklyn’s Haitian communities. Over nine months, artists engage with local neighborhoods, including Crown Heights, Canarsie, East Flatbush, and Flatbush, using their creative talents to address community issues and build connections. The residency includes a $7,500 stipend, professional development, and mentorship opportunities. Artists collaborate with local organizations, participate in workshops, and showcase their work through public events. This residency fosters artistic growth and cultural exchange, helping artists to deepen their engagement with community-led activism and cultural preservation.

Pioneer Works

Brooklyn, New York, United States

Pioneer Works, based in Brooklyn, New York, is an interdisciplinary center dedicated to nurturing artists, musicians, and technologists by providing free studio space, tools, and platforms for collaboration. Since its founding in 2012, residencies have been integral to Pioneer Works’ mission. Each year, residents are selected through an open call, supported by a jury of experts and Alumni Residents. The program encourages radical thinking and experimentation, evolving to reflect the diverse interests of each cohort. Residents are expected to dedicate 20-25 hours per week in the studio and participate in monthly Open Studios as part of the Second Sundays event. Pioneer Works provides opportunities for collaboration and public engagement, offering $2,000 for Visual Arts residents (5 months) and $1,000 for Music residents (1 month). The program is supported by the New York State Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Sharpe-Walentas Studio Program

Brooklyn, New York, United States

The Sharpe-Walentas Studio Program awards rent-free, non-living studio space to 17 visual artists for year-long residencies in DUMBO, Brooklyn. Selected annually based on merit from a competitive pool of applicants by a professional jury, the program is open to professional visual artists 21 years or older who live in the US, as well as US citizens or permanent residents living abroad. The studios feature high ceilings, elevator access, and communal spaces including a kitchen, slop sinks, restrooms, and a sitting area with wi-fi. Artists have 24/7 access to their studios and are expected to spend at least 20 hours per week in the studio, participate in the spring open studios event, and maintain all communal spaces. The residency does not provide housing or financial stipends, and applicants must not be enrolled in any degree program or maintain a separate studio during their residency.

Velvetpark

Brooklyn, New York, United States

The Velvetpark Residency offers a live-work studio in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, specifically for LGBTQ+ writers and visual artists. The residency alternates between writers in the winter/spring and visual artists in the summer/fall, providing a six-month term for residents to complete their proposed projects. Established by Velvetpark Media Inc., this residency is open to LGBTQ+ individuals from across the United States who are not currently enrolled in an academic program. The residency space is a 114 sq. ft. studio within Crown Studios, an artist building housing eleven other arts professionals. Residents are selected through an open application process and are required to have a primary residence elsewhere. The program aims to support and cultivate creative work by providing a dedicated space and a supportive community. While the residency does not offer a stipend, it covers the studio costs, requiring only a nominal application fee and a refundable key deposit. Velvetpark Residency is committed to fostering an inclusive environment, encouraging diverse artistic and literary expressions.