Curation Residencies in United States

AlterWork Studios

Long Island City, New York, United States

AlterWork Studios in Long Island City, New York, offers a residency program designed to support emerging contemporary artists from the US and abroad. The residency provides time and space for artists to explore and develop their practice, culminating in a solo closing reception. Artists can apply for residencies ranging from 2 to 6 months, with applications reviewed quarterly. Residents have access to a fully equipped 1500 sq. ft. studio, screen-printing facility, darkroom, ceramic studio, and more. The cost for the residency is $400 per month, plus a $200 non-refundable administration fee. AlterWork Studios also offers an online residency program, providing an online platform for artists to create and showcase their work. Both programs aim to foster experimentation and community engagement among contemporary artists.

Artspace

Raleigh, North Carolina, United States

Artspace offers a variety of artist residency programs aimed at providing artists with disabilities, recent HBCU graduates, emerging artists from North Carolina, and national artists with the opportunity to engage in a creative, supportive environment. These residencies include the Summer Artist in Residence, Universal Access Artist in Residence, HBCU Artist in Residence, and NC Emerging Artist in Residence programs. Each program is designed to offer studio space, professional support, and opportunities for community engagement and professional development. Artists are selected based on their potential to benefit from the residency and their willingness to engage with the Artspace community and the public. The residencies culminate in a solo exhibition, providing artists with a platform to showcase their work. Artspace emphasizes accessibility, diversity, equity, and inclusion in all its programs, striving to remove barriers to arts access and participation. The organization provides stipends, housing assistance for out-of-town artists, and encourages applications from artists working in a wide range of media. Artspace's commitment to supporting artists at various stages of their careers makes it a unique and valuable resource for the artistic community.

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.

International Studio & Curatorial Program (ISCP)

Brooklyn, New York, United States

The International Studio & Curatorial Program (ISCP) is a global residency based in Brooklyn, New York, designed to support the creative and professional development of artists and curators. Founded in 1994 and located in a renovated industrial building, ISCP provides a platform for the presentation of innovative art projects, fostering international cultural exchange through its residency programs, public programs, and events. The program offers 35 light-filled work studios, two galleries, and a project space, making it one of the most comprehensive international visual arts residency programs in New York. Artists and curators are provided with private, furnished studio spaces and have 24-hour access to communal facilities. Although ISCP does not offer accommodation, most international program sponsorships include stipends for living expenses, materials, and housing. Residencies typically last three to twelve months, inviting residents to engage in a range of activities including Visiting Critics, Field Trips, Artists at Work presentations, and biannual Open Studios.

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.

MFAH Core Program

Houston, Texas, United States

The Core Residency Program at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH) is a prestigious 23-month residency program for emerging visual artists and critical writers. The program provides fellows with private studios, regular studio visits from prominent artists and curators, and access to MFAH's extensive resources including world-class collections and research libraries. Fellows participate in both group and solo exhibitions throughout their residency, with critics-in-residence developing projects aligned with their professional goals. The program is designed to support emerging talent in visual arts and critical writing, offering unparalleled access to Houston's vibrant arts community and the museum's institutional resources. As part of the renowned Glassell School at MFAH, the Core Program represents one of the most significant artist fellowship opportunities in the United States, combining financial support with professional development and exhibition opportunities.

NARS Foundation (New York Art Residency and Studios)

Brooklyn, New York, United States

The New York Art Residency and Studios (NARS) Foundation Artist in Residency Program, based in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, offers three and six-month residencies for emerging and mid-career artists and curators from both the U.S. and internationally. The program provides 24/7 access to furnished, private or shared studio spaces (250 – 300 sq ft) and focuses on the artistic process and experimentation within a diverse artist community. Residents benefit from meetings with 3-4 Studio Visitors each month, gaining feedback and expanding their professional network. They also receive administrative, curatorial, and professional support to explore and expand their artistic practice. Presentation opportunities include a curated exhibition in the NARS gallery, bi-annual Open Studios, and the Entree/Encore program for sharing research and work through various formats. The residency fosters a community-driven program, encouraging ongoing dialogue with fellow artists through weekly gatherings, inter-studio visits, field trips, and meals. Residents work alongside NYC-based artists who retain space year-round, benefiting from exposure to New York’s cultural and sociopolitical context.

Parts & Labor

San Antonio, Texas, United States

Parts & Labor in San Antonio, TX, is a beacon for mid-career artists who juggle their creative pursuits with the responsibilities of caregiving. This non-profit artist residency, nestled in the vibrant SouthTown neighborhood, offers a sanctuary where artists are provided with the time, space, and resources essential for their creative work. Designed specifically to accommodate the needs of caregivers, Parts & Labor ensures artists can immerse themselves fully in their projects without the usual constraints that come with their roles at home. The residency stands out for its inclusive approach, welcoming artists who are actively parenting or supporting dependent partners and parents. By offering a living and studio space that accommodates families, along with a modest stipend for various expenses, Parts & Labor addresses the unique challenges faced by artist-caregivers. The residency aims to inject the San Antonio art scene with new ideas and inspiration through a vibrant exchange between visiting artists and the local community. Residents at Parts & Labor have the opportunity to engage in a rich cultural exchange, contributing to and benefiting from the local arts scene. The residency organizes small exhibitions, poetry readings, craft talks, lectures, and workshops, fostering a dynamic environment of creativity and learning. Located in two distinct settings — the Arcieniega House for visual artists and a casita in Alta Vista for writers, critics, and poets — the residency encourages interesting forms of exchange among diverse creative minds. With values that include radical hospitality, generosity, neighborliness, and inclusivity, Parts & Labor aims to create a retreat where artists can relax, inquire rigorously, and collaborate across disciplines.

Pedantic

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

Pedantic Arts Residency is a four-week program that provides artists, curators, and writers with space and time for creative exploration and cross-disciplinary dialogue. The residency runs twice a year, in January and June, and is located in Pittsburgh’s thriving Garfield neighborhood within the Penn Avenue Arts and Commercial District. Residents are housed in the Pedantic Apartment, which features three bedrooms (one ADA accessible), two full bathrooms, a kitchen, a living area, and a rooftop deck. The residency emphasizes process over production, encouraging immersion in Pittsburgh’s vibrant arts scene through weekly events like private dinners, studio visits, and museum tours. Participants are connected with a local guide from a similar field to help foster meaningful professional relationships in the city. The program provides a $2,000 honorarium, and residents are not required to produce a final deliverable. The environment fosters community, inspiration, and a deeper understanding of artistic practice.

Penland School of Craft

Penland, North Carolina, United States

Penland School of Craft, situated in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, is a prestigious national center for craft education. The Resident Artist Program, established in the 1960s, offers professional craft artists a unique opportunity to advance their practice through either a one-year project-based residency or a three-year career transition residency. The program supports artists with free housing, studio space, and utilities, fostering an environment of intense creative focus and community engagement. Residents interact with the larger Penland community, participating in informal and formal studio visits, workshops, and exhibitions. The program emphasizes diversity and innovation, with residents selected through a competitive national and international application process.

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.

Soaring Gardens Artists Retreat

Laceyville, Pennsylvania, United States

The Ora Lerman Charitable Trust's Soaring Gardens Artists Retreat offers a serene and inspiring environment for visual artists, writers, composers, and instrumentalists to focus on their creative work. Located in Laceyville, PA, the retreat operates from mid-May to the end of September, providing residencies typically for three weeks without any application or attendance fees. The retreat encourages both individual artists and groups from various disciplines to apply, fostering a space for personal projects, collaborative endeavors, or both. With two distinct residency locations, the church and the farmhouse, artists can choose between a more intimate setting or a communal atmosphere. Soaring Gardens is committed to inclusivity, offering a limited number of need-based grants, with a special encouragement for applicants from historically marginalized communities. The retreat's tranquil rural setting, complete with extensive gardens and studio spaces, allows artists the freedom and tranquility to immerse themselves in their work, supported by a community of fellow creatives.

Watermill Center

Water Mill, United States

The Watermill Center, founded by avant-garde visionary Robert Wilson on Long Island’s East End, serves as an interdisciplinary laboratory for the arts and humanities. Established in 1992, the Center is situated on ten acres of Shinnecock ancestral territory, offering a sanctuary for artists to develop works that challenge and extend artistic practice norms. Emphasizing creativity and collaboration, The Watermill Center provides year-round artist residencies and education programs, welcoming a global community to create and inspire. The Center's facilities, including multifunctional studios and a curated art collection, enable artists to integrate humanities resources and scientific research into contemporary artistic practices. Through public programs, The Watermill Center demystifies the creative process, offering insights into the work of national and international artists. The Artist Residency Program, initiated in 2006, is process-based, focusing on the development of artistic practice in a communal environment without the expectation of a final exhibition. Residents gain access to extensive resources, including rehearsal spaces, archives, and the Center’s grounds, fostering experimentation. The Watermill Center continues to build a global network among artists, designers, and communities, promoting creativity and cultural exchange.