Interdisciplinary Residencies in Portland

Critic-in-Residence (/

Portland, United States

The Violet Institute invites applications from from emerging, mid-career and established critics residing in the United States for our inaugural criticism residency. We especially welcome critics with an interest in public scholarship and trans media. The residency will take place in Portland, Maine between October 15, and December 15, , with the exact dates to be selected by the accepted applicant. The critic-in-residence will spend 4–6 weeks researching and writing towards the question: what is the contemporary trans canon? Given the contested nature of “the canon,” the resident is invited to engage with well-known and under-examined works across disciplines, media, and origin. The critic-in-residence receives a $4,000 stipend (paid in two installments during the residency) and free accommodations for the length of their stay, with up to $500 toward the cost of travel from anywhere in the United States. The Violet Institute Criticism Residency is generously funded by the Rabkin Foundation and the Maine Humanities Council. Find out more at theviolet.org.

Signal Fire

Portland, United States

Signal Fire was a Portland-based artist residency program active from to that connected artists and writers with North American wild landscapes through extended backpacking trips, nomadic colonies like Outpost, and various retreats such as Juried Artist Retreats and Indigenous Artist Retreats. Participants engaged in off-grid, hyper-isolated experiences in backpacking tents across diverse locations. The program offered trips and residencies including Wide Open Studios and Tinderbox Residency, emphasizing adventure in deserts, oases, and remote areas.

Violet Institute Criticism Residency

Portland, United States

Advances the preservation and interpretation of contemporary trans culture through artist residency and related programming.