Reviewed by Artists

Artist Residencies in United States

166 residencies

Artist residencies in United States

The United States offers a diverse and expansive residency landscape, reflecting the vastness of the country and the richness of its cultural tapestry. From the vibrant streets of New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago, where artists are immersed in some of the world's most dynamic art scenes, to the serene and inspiring natural settings of places like New Mexico's Santa Fe and Wyoming's Ucross Foundation, the U.S. provides a wide array of environments conducive to creative exploration. In major art hubs, residencies such as the Studio Museum in Harlem and the Skowhegan School of Painting & Sculpture in Maine offer artists unparalleled access to networks, resources, and communities that can significantly impact their careers. Meanwhile, more secluded residencies like the Headlands Center for the Arts in California and the Vermont Studio Center offer retreats where artists can focus deeply on their work against the backdrop of the American landscape's stunning beauty. The U.S. residency network is notable for its support of a broad spectrum of artistic disciplines, including visual arts, literature, music, and performance art, facilitating a rich dialogue between diverse creative voices. This ecosystem thrives on the principle of fostering artistic growth through community engagement, interdisciplinary collaboration, and cultural exchange, making the United States a fertile ground for artists seeking to develop their practice and engage with new audiences.

Anderson Center at Tower View logo

Anderson Center at Tower View

Red Wing, Minnesota, United States

The Anderson Center at Tower View, located in Red Wing, Minnesota, offers residencies from May through October to artists, writers, musicians, and performers. Hosting about 35-40 residents annually, the program is one of the largest in the Upper Midwest and has welcomed over 900 artists from 45 states and 40 countries since its inception in 1995. Residents are provided with a private room in the historic Tower View residence, equipped with essential amenities, and meals prepared by a residency chef. The center offers a variety of workspaces, including a visual arts studio, darkroom, printmaking studio, and practice spaces for dancers and musicians. Situated on a 350-acre historic campus, the Anderson Center features a sculpture garden and is adjacent to the Cannon Valley Bike Trail. The residency program emphasizes community engagement, with residents contributing to the local community through presentations, workshops, and classes. The Anderson Center supports a diverse range of artists and embraces interdisciplinary approaches. It operates various programs, including a Deaf Artist Residency, an Early Career Artist Residency Program, and a Public Artist Residency Program, along with artist exchange programs with Salzburg, Austria, and Quzhou, China. The center's mission is to provide a dynamic environment for creative endeavors, encouraging the exchange of ideas and serving as a source of significant contributions to society. Located at 163 Tower View Drive, Red Wing, MN, the Anderson Center is a hub for artistic and cultural exchange.

Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts logo

Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts

Omaha, Nebraska, United States

The Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts, since its inception in 1981, has stood as a beacon for artists worldwide, offering an invaluable platform for research, creation, and exploration. Located in Omaha, Nebraska, the Bemis Center provides a rich environment for artists to delve into their creative processes without the constraints of specific outcomes or expectations. The residency offers a unique blend of private live/work studios, extensive installation and production spaces, and specialized facilities such as the Okada Sculpture & Ceramics Facility and a Sound Studio. These spaces are designed to support a wide range of artistic activities, from large-scale sculpture fabrication to sound experimentation and recording. Residents benefit from the Bemis Center’s commitment to fostering a vibrant community among a multidisciplinary mix of artists. This community is not only a source of professional collaboration but also a foundation for lasting personal friendships. Moreover, the Bemis Center provides its artists-in-residence with financial support to cover personal needs, material costs, and travel expenses, easing the financial burden and allowing them to focus on their artistic development. Technical and administrative support further enhances the residency experience, enabling artists to navigate challenges and seize opportunities to advance their work. The Bemis Center also places a strong emphasis on public engagement, inviting residents to share their work through presentations, open studios, and interactions with the broader community and local art organizations. This approach enriches the residency experience, offering artists a platform to showcase their work and engage with diverse audiences.

StipendHousingCeramicsCuratorialDigitalDrawingGraphic Arts+11
Blue Mountain Center (BMC) logo

Blue Mountain Center (BMC)

Blue Mountain Lake, New York, United States

Founded in 1982, Blue Mountain Center (BMC) is located in the Adirondack wilderness on historically Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe lands. Originally a 19th-century golf resort, it now serves as a nurturing refuge dedicated to social justice for artists, activists, writers, and cultural workers. Blue Mountain Center focuses on providing a space that facilitates both the creation of transformative works and the rejuvenation of its residents. The center emphasizes the integration of its residents with the local and global communities, providing a serene environment conducive to creative and restorative practices. BMC operates on the core values of racial, economic, and environmental justice, and gender equality, welcoming a diverse group of applicants particularly those producing work that reflects social and ecological concerns. BMC offers month-long residencies from June to September each year, supporting a range of creative disciplines including writing, filmmaking, and visual arts, among others. Residents are selected by an admissions committee of accomplished authors and artists through a process that prioritizes work aimed at a general audience with a clear social conscience. The residency provides studio space, accommodation, and communal living areas, all set against the backdrop of the scenic Blue Mountain Lake. This setting not only inspires artistic endeavors but also encourages personal well-being and community interaction, free from the distractions of everyday life such as cell phones and constant internet connectivity.

StipendHousing
Joshua Tree Highlands Artist Residency (JTHAR) logo

Joshua Tree Highlands Artist Residency (JTHAR)

Joshua Tree, California, United States

Founded in 2007, Joshua Tree Highlands Artist Residency (JTHAR) is a non-profit organization that offers a unique residency experience for artists from around the globe. Located near the stunning Joshua Tree National Park, JTHAR provides artists with scholarship funds, living accommodations, studio space, and opportunities for open studio events. The residency is designed to foster creativity, trust, courage, diversity, and acceptance, promoting opportunities for exploration, experimentation, and engagement with the vibrant local community. Each year, JTHAR invites six artists at various career stages and working in diverse media to create work amidst the natural beauty of the park. The selection process involves a review of applications by the JTHAR Board Members, based on the artist's portfolio and residency proposal. In addition to the standard scholarship, the Gothard Family Artist Scholarship offers a stipend to a residency recipient of African American heritage, specifically for visual artists. The residency provides individual houses for living and working, with the option to use a dedicated large studio space. Artists are expected to provide their own transportation, attend a mid-residency review, and have the option of an open studio exhibition or a Zoom presentation at the end of the residency. JTHAR encourages artists to immerse themselves in the inspiring environment of Joshua Tree, contributing to the cultural landscape and fostering connections within the artistic community.

KHN Center for the Arts (Kimmel Harding Nelson Center for the Arts) logo

KHN Center for the Arts (Kimmel Harding Nelson Center for the Arts)

Nebraska City, Nebraska, United States

The Kimmel Harding Nelson Center for the Arts in Nebraska City offers a supportive environment for artists across disciplines such as visual arts, writing, music, and interdisciplinary fields. Founded with the mission to support the creative process of artists through its residency program, the Center provides facilities that nurture both the creation and contemplation aspects of art-making. Residencies range from 2 to 8 weeks, accommodating up to seventy artists annually, both established and emerging, from around the globe. Each resident is provided with a private studio, comfortable housing, and a weekly stipend of $175 to cover living expenses. The selection process is juried by professionals within each discipline, emphasizing the quality of work samples and statements submitted by applicants. KHN not only facilitates focused work through its ample studio spaces and serene environment but also encourages community interaction and public engagement. Unfortunately, the facilities do not allow pets, and overnight visitors are restricted to ensure a professional and uninterrupted working environment for all residents. This residency is ideal for artists seeking a blend of solitude and community, providing a unique opportunity to delve deep into their projects away from daily distractions.

StipendHousingDrawingInstallationInterdisciplinaryWriting / LiteratureMultidisciplinary+2
Lighthouse Works logo

Lighthouse Works

Fishers Island, New York, United States

The Lighthouse Works Fellowship Program stands out as a comprehensive support system for artists, curators, and writers working at the forefront of their fields. Located on Fishers Island, New York, the program offers six-week residencies throughout the year, providing participants with housing, meals, studio space, and a $1,750 financial stipend. Fellows are accommodated in a three-story Victorian house, sharing kitchens and living spaces while enjoying private bedrooms. The program's commitment to catering to all dietary needs, combined with communal dinners prepared by the staff, fosters a warm, collaborative atmosphere among residents. Studio spaces, situated 1.5 miles from the housing, overlook the ocean and are equipped with necessary facilities including a wood and metal shop and a kiln. With a primary focus on the advancement of individual projects, Lighthouse Works encourages a culture of productivity and creative exchange. This is facilitated through minimal formal obligations, save for participation in an Artist Talk and an Open Studio event that bookends each fellowship session. These interactions, coupled with the intimate scale of the program, promote rich dialogue, critique, and potential collaboration among fellows. Applications for the fellowship are invited annually through an open call on Slideroom, running from September to October, with a selection process concluding in mid-January. Artistic excellence is the cornerstone of selection criteria, ensuring a diverse and vibrant cohort of fellows each year.

StipendHousingCuratorialDigitalDrawingGraphic ArtsInstallation+9
MacDowell logo

MacDowell

Peterborough, New Hampshire, United States

MacDowell offers a nurturing environment for artists of exceptional talent to work in peace and collaboration. Situated in Peterborough, NH, and with a New York City office, MacDowell provides studio space, accommodations, and three daily meals for residencies up to six weeks, free of charge. The foundation supports artists in various disciplines, including architecture, film/video arts, interdisciplinary arts, literature, music composition, theatre, and visual arts, emphasizing artistic excellence as the sole criterion for acceptance. Applications are welcomed from artists worldwide, promoting a diverse and inclusive community. MacDowell is dedicated to a more equitable arts sector, offering barrier-free access to its main buildings and some studios. Financial assistance for travel and other residency-related expenses is available, highlighting MacDowell's commitment to accessibility for artists at all stages of their careers. The application process is thorough, encouraging artists to review guidelines and FAQs. MacDowell has temporarily suspended the reference letter requirement to lower barriers for applicants, particularly women and BIPOC artists. A $30 processing fee applies, with waivers available for those experiencing financial hardship. Fellows are selected by distinguished panels in each discipline, ensuring a broad spectrum of artistic practices and inquiries are represented. MacDowell encourages collaboration, allowing small groups to apply, though it cannot accommodate partners, children, or other family members not involved in the project. This prestigious residency aims to foster artistic growth, offering a peaceful retreat for creative exploration and production.

StipendHousingArchitectureDigitalDrawingGraphic ArtsInstallation+9
Mackinac State Historic Parks logo

Mackinac State Historic Parks

Mackinac Island, Michigan, United States

The Mackinac State Historic Parks Artist-In-Residence Program offers a unique opportunity for artists from various disciplines to immerse themselves in the serene and inspiring environment of Mackinac Island. Designed to foster the creation of artistic works that reflect the rich history and natural beauty of the island, this residency welcomes artists in mediums including writing, music, sculpture, painting, photography, and more. Each residency lasts for two weeks, providing artists with a peaceful retreat where they can focus solely on their creative endeavors. The selected artists are accommodated in a remodeled studio apartment equipped with essential amenities, located on the second floor of the historic Mackinac Island Visitor’s Center. The program encourages artists to engage with the island community through a public presentation, enriching the cultural landscape of Mackinac Island. In exchange, artists contribute a piece of their work to the Mackinac State Historic Parks, leaving a lasting legacy of their stay. A collaborative selection process involving representatives from the Mackinac State Historic Parks, the Mackinac Island Arts Council, and the Mackinac Island Community Foundation ensures that participants are chosen based on merit and their potential to enhance the program’s goals. Through this residency, artists are granted the freedom and space to explore new ideas and perspectives, inspired by the island’s unique amalgam of historical and natural elements.

StipendHousingDrawingInstallationInterdisciplinaryWriting / LiteratureMultidisciplinary+4
Monson Arts logo

Monson Arts

Monson, Maine, United States

Monson Arts offers an enriching residency program for emerging and established artists and writers, providing a focused environment to advance their creative endeavors. Situated in Monson, Maine, at the gateway to the North Woods, this program integrates participants into small-town life while offering the solitude necessary for artistic and literary pursuits. The program features both 2-week and 4-week residencies throughout the year, accommodating a cohort of 10 individuals divided equally between artists and writers. Each resident receives a private studio, bedroom in shared housing, all meals, and a stipend—$1,000 for 4-week residencies and $500 for 2-week ones. A special segment, the Abbott Watts Residency for Photography, offers access to additional photographic facilities. Applications are open to individuals at any career stage in the visual arts, writing, and related fields, with three application periods annually corresponding to residencies offered 3-6 months later. Studio spaces are designed for flexibility to support a variety of disciplines, equipped with large worktables, sinks, and essential amenities for visual artists, and comfortably furnished environments for writers. Living accommodations are in renovated historic homes, featuring modern amenities to ensure comfort throughout the year. These setups encourage a deep dive into creative projects with the support of Monson Arts' community and resources.

StipendHousingDrawingInstallationWriting / LiteraturePaintingPerformance+3
Montello Foundation logo

Montello Foundation

Montello, Nevada, United States

The Montello Foundation, established to support artists who enhance our understanding of nature and its need for protection, offers a unique residency experience in the Nevada desert. Since its inception, the Foundation has been dedicated to fostering a deep appreciation and awareness of nature's fragility. Artists are encouraged to engage in creative exploration, contemplation, and innovation, reflecting on humanity's relationship with the natural world. Located in an isolated valley in Northeastern Nevada, the Foundation offers a retreat designed for solitary reflection amidst the desert landscape. The residency provides artists with a space that supports both their physical needs and their artistic work. The main structure, designed with minimal environmental impact, includes separate areas for living and working, promoting creativity and inspiration. Each year, the Foundation invites six artists from various disciplines and career stages to engage with the desert environment and the local community. The selection process for the residency is conducted by the Foundation's board members, focusing on the quality and relevance of the artists' work to the Foundation's mission. The residency experience is transformative, offering artists a chance to recalibrate and reassess their connection to nature and their creative process. The Foundation's commitment to solitude and reflection allows artists to immerse themselves in their work, free from the usual distractions of daily life. This approach has a profound impact on the residents, as evidenced by their reflections and the work they produce during their stay.

National Park Arts Foundation (NPAF) logo

National Park Arts Foundation (NPAF)

Various, United States

The National Park Arts Foundation (NPAF) offers a unique series of Artist in Residency programs within the National Parks of the United States. Partnering with the National Park Service and its affiliates, NPAF aims to bring artists of the highest caliber into the heart of the country's most stunning natural landscapes. With over 300 programs produced and more than 120 artists supported, the foundation emphasizes the deep connection between the arts and the natural world, allowing artists to draw inspiration from and work within the parks' serene and awe-inspiring settings. The residency programs are designed to be relevant to both the participating artists and the broader art world, ensuring the experiences and works produced during the residencies resonate beyond the parks. Artists from various disciplines, including visual arts, music, literature, and performance, are provided with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to focus on their projects amidst the parks' breathtaking sceneries, free from the distractions of everyday life. Active in parks across the nation, NPAF's current Artist in Residency programs for 2023 and 2024 are accessible through a selection process detailed on their website. These residencies offer artists a supportive environment to explore new ideas, develop their practice, and engage with the parks' unique landscapes and cultural histories.

StipendHousingCeramicsDigitalDrawingGraphic ArtsInstallation+10
Oak Spring Garden Foundation logo

Oak Spring Garden Foundation

Upperville, Virginia, United States

The Oak Spring Garden Foundation (OSGF) offers a unique residency experience located in Upperville, Virginia, nestled between the towns of Middleburg and Marshall. The foundation is dedicated to perpetuating the gifts of Rachel "Bunny" Lambert Mellon, including her extensive gardens, estate, and the Oak Spring Garden Library. The OSGF focuses on interdisciplinary residencies that bring together artists, conservation practitioners, researchers, and scholars who are connected through their creative and investigative practices concerning plants, gardens, landscapes, and related environmental themes. Established in 2021, the residency program supports individuals engaged in a variety of disciplines including the arts, conservation, humanities, and plant and ecological sciences. Residents are provided with fully furnished accommodations and have access to studios, a significant library collection, communal meals, and various natural and cultivated landscapes on the 700-acre property. The program aims to foster a collaborative environment among residents while also providing opportunities for solitude and focused work. Key components of the residency include initial orientations to the resources available at OSGF, involvement in community meals prepared by an on-site chef, and optional involvement in activities that enhance their experiential learning and connection to the site.

StipendHousingDrawingMultidisciplinaryPaintingResearcher / Scholar
ON::VIEW logo

ON::VIEW

Savannah, Georgia, United States

The ON::VIEW Artist Residency, hosted by ARTS Southeast and Sulfur Studios, is an innovative program situated in Savannah’s vibrant Starland District, offering artists a distinctive platform to explore and expand their creative practice. Established in 2018, the residency provides a free, high-visibility studio space for artists to work on new projects, continue existing work, or conduct research. Unique for its location, the residency features studio space with large windows facing Bull Street, the district's main thoroughfare, making the artists' creative process accessible to the community and allowing for continuous public engagement. This residency stands out not only for its commitment to artistic exploration but also for its inclusion of the 5th Dimension Apartment, introduced in 2022 to offer free housing for out-of-town artists. This addition underscores the program's goal to attract a wide array of creatives from around the globe, further establishing Savannah as a key destination for the arts. The apartment comes with a full kitchen, bath, and a private garden, providing a comfortable and inspiring environment for the residents. The ON::VIEW Residency supports a wide range of artistic media and encourages interaction with the local community through workshops, performances, public art projects, and artist talks. It's designed to foster creative exchanges and the sharing of ideas, enriching both the artists’ experience and the cultural life of Savannah.

StipendHousingDrawingInstallationInterdisciplinaryMultidisciplinaryPainting+3
Ox-Bow logo

Ox-Bow

Saugatuck, Michigan, United States

Ox-Bow School of Art & Artists’ Residency, nestled in Saugatuck, Michigan, is a sanctuary for artists seeking to immerse themselves in a vibrant creative community. With a history of fostering artistic growth and experimentation, Ox-Bow offers a variety of residency programs tailored to meet the needs of artists at different stages of their careers. The Summer Residency Program, open to artists and writers, provides a fully-funded opportunity to work within a dynamic community of students, faculty, and visiting artists. The innovative Longform residency, a hybrid model, combines studio work with skill development and critical discussions, facilitated by esteemed artists and educators. Ox-Bow’s picturesque campus, surrounded by natural beauty, offers private studios, communal living spaces, and access to specialized workshops, encouraging a blend of focused work and communal engagement. Residents benefit from studio visits, lectures, and the chance to share their work, fostering a rich exchange of ideas and practices. Ox-Bow’s commitment to accessibility is evident in its scholarship opportunities, ensuring a diverse group of artists can participate in its programs. This nurturing environment, away from the distractions of daily life, allows artists to explore new directions in their work, engage deeply with a community of peers, and emerge with renewed inspiration and focus.

StipendHousingCeramicsDigitalGraphic ArtsInstallationWriting / Literature+7

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