Artist Residencies in new york
17 residenciesin new york, United States
A City Guide for Artists in New York City
Hey fellow artist, New York City is a magnet for creators like us—raw energy, endless inspiration, and spots where you can make work that pushes boundaries. Whether you're visiting for a short stint or settling into a residency, this guide covers the key boroughs: Manhattan's Chelsea and Lower East Side, Brooklyn's Bushwick, DUMBO, Williamsburg, and Red Hook. We'll touch on Jersey City as a smart, affordable spot across the river. Expect practical advice on studios, galleries, transport, and keeping costs in check. For residency reviews, check out reviewedbyartists.com/residencies.
Manhattan: Chelsea and Lower East Side
Chelsea is the heart of the commercial gallery world, packed with blue-chip spots like Gagosian and Pace, where you can see high-level shows and network. Walk 10th Avenue from 18th to 27th Street—it's a straight shot of massive spaces showing painting, sculpture, and installations. The Lower East Side (LES) feels grittier, with artist-run gems like Lower East Side Arts Guide galleries such as CANADA or James Fuentes, focusing on emerging voices in painting and performance.
For studios, Chelsea has shared spaces like chashama, offering subsidized rentals in underused buildings—apply early as spots fill fast. LES has co-ops like LES Studio Program, where artists share large lofts for $1,000–$2,000/month. Artist-run spaces thrive here: Orgy Park in LES hosts pop-up shows and residencies for experimental work.
Transport is a breeze—subway lines A/C/E to Chelsea, F/J/M/Z to LES. Walk everywhere once you're in the neighborhood; it's compact and buzzing after dark.
Brooklyn: Bushwick, DUMBO, Williamsburg, Red Hook
Bushwick is our raw studio haven—think vast warehouses turned into live/work spaces. Neighborhoods around the L train (Jefferson Street stop) have collectives like Bushwick Collective, with street art murals everywhere. Studios rent for $800–$1,500/month in buildings like Front Room Gallery's orbit or Industry City for larger setups. Galleries? 5-50 Gallery and Swallowtail spotlight local painters and sculptors.
DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) mixes tech money with art—stunning views, but pricier. Powerhouse Arts in nearby Gowanus (close enough) runs a killer AiR program with fabrication shops for print, ceramics, and public art, offering $10,000 honorariums and materials stipends for NYC-based folks. Galleries like Absolute Gallery show site-specific installs. Studios are tight; look at DUMBO Arts Center shares around $2,000/month.
Williamsburg has evolved into a polished scene—McCarren Park area buzzes with Brooklyn Brewery events and galleries like Pioneer Works (technically Red Hook-adjacent), a massive nonprofit with residencies, talks, and fabrication labs. Artist-run spots like Underground Salon keep it communal. Studios average $1,200–$2,500; check Bushwick City Limits listings.
Red Hook feels like old Brooklyn—industrial, quiet, with waterfront light perfect for painting. Powerhouse Arts dominates here for residencies with 24/7 shop access. Galleries are sparse but quality: Red Hook Arts. Studios in converted factories go for $900–$1,800/month—raw space, high ceilings.
Brooklyn transport: L to Bushwick, A/C to High Street for DUMBO, L/G to Williamsburg, F/G to Red Hook. Bikes via Citi Bike are gold—$4.99 unlocks, unlimited 30-min rides. Ferries from DUMBO/Williamsburg to Manhattan are scenic and $4.
Jersey City: Affordable Alternative
Just a PATH train ride away (10 mins to Manhattan), Jersey City offers huge studios for half the price—$600–$1,200/month in spots like 5&9 Studio or Jersey City Studios. The art scene is growing: House of 'Hoz gallery and pop-ups in Powerhouse Arts-style warehouses. Galleries like Art House Productions host residencies. It's quieter, with waterfront views rivaling DUMBO. PATH is $2.75 one-way; easy commute.
Cost of Living Tips
NYC bites hard—expect $3,000–$4,000/month for a shared studio apartment in Brooklyn (add $1,500+ in Manhattan). Studios separate: $800–$3,000 depending on size/location. Save by:
- Subletting via Craigslist or Facebook artist groups—short-term deals under $1,000.
- Co-ops and collectives: Bushwick/Red Hook shares split utilities ($200/person).
- Groceries: Trader Joe's in Williamsburg ($400/month). Eat at artist potlucks—common in residencies.
- Free perks: Materials for the Arts in Queens for recycled supplies; many residencies cover stipends like $625/week from programs open to NYC artists.
- Residencies slash costs—Powerhouse Arts, NYLAAT on Governors Island (free studios, open studios), or Green-Wood Cemetery's year-long gig for locals. Apply now for 2026; deadlines hit late 2025.
Budget $100/week for MetroCard (unlimited). Avoid tourist traps; shop Marquet in Bushwick for cheap art supplies.
Galleries and Artist-Run Spaces Across the City
Beyond neighborhoods:
- Manhattan: David Zwirner (Chelsea), Leslie Tonkonow (LES).
- Brooklyn: Situation (Bushwick), Smack Mellon (DUMBO for public art).
- Artist-run: 4Heads (Williamsburg co-op shows), Red Hook Labs (photo/print residencies).
- Nonprofits: Residency Unlimited (Sunset Park, Brooklyn—2026 calls open for underserved artists), Harvestworks (media art labs).
Hit First Fridays in Bushwick—galleries open late, free wine, prime schmoozing.
Transport and Getting Around
MTA subway is king—download the app for real-time. $34 weekly unlimited. Buses for Brooklyn edges. Ferries ($4) for views: East River route hits DUMBO, Williamsburg, Red Hook. Walk or e-bike in neighborhoods. To Jersey City: PATH from World Trade Center/33rd St. Taxis/Uber spike at rush hour—avoid. Late-night? G train in Brooklyn runs 24/7.
Residencies and Next Steps
NYC residencies are competitive but supportive—SVA's summer programs ($3,000 fees, campus studios), NYLAAT on Governors Island (2-month blocks in 2026, free space, exhibitions). Read reviews of NYC residencies on reviewedbyartists.com/residencies to pick winners. Apply via their sites; many prioritize BIPOC/LGBTQ+ artists. Network at openings, join NYC Artist Union for advocacy.
Pack light, stay flexible—this city rewards grit. Make it yours.
ADKX Artist-in-Residence
New York, United States
The ADKX Artist-in-Residence program at the Adirondack Experience museum offers four one-month residencies in June, July, August, and September, where artists create work inspired by the Adirondack environment and museum collection while engaging the public three days a week on the grounds and two days in the Art Lab makerspace. Selected through a competitive application process open to various mediums, residents receive on-site housing, a $5,000 stipend, and $500 travel allowance, with access to collections and staff.
Artist in Residency
New York, United States
The Studio Museum in Harlem offers an 11-month Artist-in-Residence program for 3 artists in any media, providing studio space, stipend, institutional guidance, research support, and a culminating exhibition.
Eyebeam
New York, United States
Eyebeam is a New York City-based nonprofit residency program for emerging artists, technologists, and writers in the first decade of their careers, focusing on technology's role in arts and society through experimental, interdisciplinary projects. The 2026 residency, guided by the prompt on building a pluralistic commons, offers NYC residents studio access in Brooklyn for creative exploration and invention. Participants receive a generous financial stipend, shared studios, top-notch facilities, mentorship, and community engagement, with the program returning to in-person format post-pandemic.
Harvest Works
NEW YORK, United States
Harvestworks is a national artist residency program supporting contemporary American artists and legal U.S. residents working at the intersection of art and technology. Selected artists receive a $5,000 commission to develop and present new projects at the T.E.A.M. Lab in New York City, exploring how technology can deepen understanding, provoke ideas, and inspire innovation through integrated sound, visual art, and experimental forms.
Here Arts Center
New York, United States
The HERE Artist Residency Program (HARP) at HERE Arts Center supports mid-career, cross-genre artists in developing innovative hybrid works in theatre, dance, music, puppetry, visual art, and new media over 1-3 years, providing commissions, developmental support, career planning, and opportunities for full productions. Artists receive substantial support including $50,000-$125,000 in cash, equipment, space, and services, tailored to individual needs within a collaborative peer community. The program emphasizes artist control, ownership of work, and skill-building in areas like grantwriting and audience relations.
Institute for Public Architecture
New York, United States
The Institute for Public Architecture (IPA) offers the Independent Project Residency, an 11-week live-in program at the historic Block House on Governors Island, inviting emerging and mid-career practitioners in architecture, urbanism, design, art, and research to develop independent projects focused on the public realm. Fellows live and work in a communal environment, engage with the public through Open House events, and culminate in an exhibition of their work. The program provides access to NYC's networks while offering solitude on the island, with facilities including living accommodations, studio, and library.
International House
New York, United States
International House (I-House) in New York City is a residential community for global leaders, including artists, offering programs and events that foster cultural exchange through performances, discussions, and creative activities like the Fall Fiesta festival of words, music, and dance. It connects residents with acclaimed musicians, actors, and artists to explore the creative process and social issues. While not a traditional artist residency with studios, it provides a supportive living environment for international creative professionals.
Lower East Side Tenement Museum
New York, United States
The Lower East Side Tenement Museum is a historic site in Manhattan preserving immigrant stories through guided tours of restored 19th-20th century tenement apartments at 97 and 103 Orchard Street.
Lower Manhattan Cultural Council Residency
New York, United States
The Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC) Residency Program, founded in 1973, offers various artist residencies in New York City, including Workspace (9 months for emerging visual artists and writers), Arts Center Residency (8 months for multidisciplinary artists at Governors Island), and Process Space (2-8 weeks for performing artists). These programs provide free studio spaces, stipends when available, professional development, peer community, and public presentation opportunities to foster creative experimentation and career growth.
Marathons Intensive Workshops in Drawing, Painting, and Sculpture
New York, United States
Intensive 2-week Marathons in Drawing, Painting, and Sculpture at New York Studio School. Daily 9am-6pm in-person or virtual, open to all levels, with faculty critiques. Offered Fall, Spring, Summer.
MINI/Goethe-Institut Curatorial
New York, United States
MINI/Goethe-Institut Curatorial Residencies Ludlow 38 was a contemporary art space and residency program of the Goethe-Institut New York located on the Lower East Side. The program selected curatorial residents from Germany annually, providing them the opportunity to program the experimental exhibition space and gain experience directing a small institution with an international profile.
NEW INC
New York, United States
NEW INC is the New Museum's cultural incubator supporting creative practitioners and small businesses working across art, design, and technology. The program offers a yearlong membership model providing access to dedicated workspace, mentorship, professional development, and collaborative opportunities. Founded in 2014 as the first museum-led cultural incubator, NEW INC now operates in its twelfth year with five specialized tracks including Art & Code.
Textile Arts Center Artist in Residence (TAC AIR)
New York, United States
The Textile Arts Center Artist in Residence (TAC AIR) program offers a comprehensive 9-month residency combining studio access with an interdisciplinary curriculum, critical dialogue, and mentorship. It culminates in a group exhibition hosted by TAC. Since 2010, TAC AIR has graduated over 100 artists and designers, contributing significantly to textile art in various fields. The program is structured in three phases: 'Play' (October-December) focusing on exploration and technical skill development; 'Research & Concept' (January-March) emphasizing project development and mentorship; and 'Project Creation' (April-June) dedicated to finalizing projects and professional development. Residents have 24/7 access to a personal studio space and TAC’s equipment, along with $1,000 worth of free classes at TAC. The tuition is $11,000, with payment plans available, and a scholarship is offered to support artists from historically marginalized communities. The selection process involves a committee of TAC staff and textile arts professionals, with criteria including the quality of work and the plan for residency. Applications are digital, with an early bird fee available, and international applicants are welcome but responsible for VISA arrangements.
The Camera Club of New York
New York, United States
The BAXTER ST Residency Program at the Camera Club of New York offers emerging lens-based artists living in New York City a three-month workspace residency, including access to facilities, equipment, and the CCNY community. Residents receive a monthly stipend per W.A.G.E. certification, a production fee for their solo exhibition at BAXTER ST following the residency term, and programming like public conversations and advisory meetings. Housing is not provided, and the program emphasizes photography and lens-based art practices.
The Glasshouse Project
New York, United States
The Glasshouse Project is an artist-led residency program launched in , focused on durational performance art and visual performance, inviting professionals such as artists, curators, and scholars to develop new works engaging local communities in New Paltz, NY. Residencies typically last one week, providing on-site accommodation, studio access, and a modest $250 honorarium. It emphasizes neo-domesticity, sharing the founders' home as a space for research and public interventions.
Triangle Arts Association
New York, United States
Triangle Arts Association is a visual arts residency program in New York founded in 1982, offering committed artists free spacious studios with 24-hour access for three-month periods to foster dialogue, experimentation, and community building through gatherings, curator visits, and open studios.
Upper Jay Art Center
new york, United States
The Upper Jay Art Center in Upper Jay, New York, hosts the CA+MP (Creative Arts and Multidisciplinary Performance) artist residency program, providing artists across all disciplines with 1-4 weeks of time, space, housing, and creative freedom in a historic Adirondack setting to create, dream, and perform. The program supports working artists by offering stipends to offset costs and aims to share new creative perspectives with the local community through performances and exhibitions. It welcomes musicians, writers, filmmakers, visual artists, dancers, theater practitioners, and others, though applications are not being accepted.
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