Artist Residencies in Cherry Grove, New York

Fire Island Artist Residency (FIAR)

Cherry Grove, New York, United States

Fire Island Artist Residency (FIAR) stands as a pioneering residency program in the United States, uniquely catering to artists identifying as LGBTQ+, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, non-binary, intersex, two-spirit, and queer. Established in 2011, FIAR has made its mark in the historic LGBTQ+ settlement of Cherry Grove on Fire Island, New York. The program, now in its 12th year, invites emerging artists to participate in a four-week summer residency. It offers an intimate environment for artists to create, share, and engage with leaders in contemporary art, scholarship, activism, and curation through studio visits and public lectures. The residency fosters a blend of creative development and community engagement, underlining the importance of LGBTQ+ visibility in the arts. FIAR supports its artists with lodging, workspace, stipends for meals and travel, and an honorarium, emphasizing the organization's commitment to nurturing new perspectives in contemporary visual art. The program also engages in projects like the Fire Island Histories Project, exploring the rich, complex histories of Fire Island's communities and landmarks. FIAR's initiative underscores the role of art in preserving and advancing queer cultural narratives, making it a crucial platform for LGBTQ+ artists.