Architecture Residencies in United States

A.I.R. Studio Paducah

Paducah, Kentucky, United States

A.I.R. Studio Paducah, located in the Lower Town Arts District of Paducah, Kentucky, offers residencies for emerging and established artists from the US and abroad. The residency provides time and space for artists to focus on their work, experiment, and develop new ideas. Artists can stay for periods ranging from two weeks to three months, with applications reviewed on a rolling basis. The residency includes a large studio and an efficiency apartment with a king-size bed, kitchen, and other amenities. The cost is $1000 per month or $700 for two weeks. Residents are encouraged to engage with the local community through visits to cultural centers and participation in local events. The program also offers opportunities for networking and showcasing work in a storefront space.

Art Omi

Ghent, New York, United States

Art Omi offers five distinct residency programs for international artists, writers, architects, musicians, and dancers. Located in Columbia County, New York, the residency provides artists with time, space, and resources to create, experiment, and collaborate in a rural setting. The residency programs are fully funded, covering accommodations, meals, and studio space. Each program has its own application process and focuses on different creative fields, encouraging a diverse range of artists from around the world. Art Omi is committed to cultural exchange and professional development, offering participants opportunities to engage with peers and visiting professionals from various creative industries. The residency fosters an environment of collaboration, community, and artistic exploration in an inspiring, natural setting.

Arts Letters & Numbers

Averill Park, New York, United States

Arts Letters & Numbers is a multidisciplinary, year-round artist residency located in rural Upstate New York, set within the historic Faith Mills Complex. Since its founding in 2011 and expansion to year-round residencies in 2015, the program has welcomed hundreds of artists from diverse disciplines, providing a creative sanctuary for both independent practice and collaborative experimentation. The residency fosters a community-oriented environment with opportunities for shared meals, bonfires, open studios, and other public programs while allowing artists to engage as much or as little as they wish. Participants can stay between 1 to 12 weeks and select from a variety of accommodations, including private or shared rooms in restored historic homes such as The House on the Hill, The Twins, or The Inn. Facilities include open studios, a woodshop, a darkroom, and a collection of unique spaces like a converted barn and a piano-equipped performance space. Artists can propose lectures, workshops, or performances as part of their experience. The residency prioritizes community engagement, experimentation, and creative freedom in a welcoming rural setting surrounded by nature. Partial scholarships are available for those in need.

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.

Bloedel Reserve

Bainbridge Island, Washington, United States

The Creative Residency at Bloedel Reserve offers a unique opportunity for artists and researchers to immerse themselves in the natural beauty of Bainbridge Island, Washington. Established in 2015, the program hosts creative individuals from various disciplines, providing them with a serene and inspiring environment. Residents stay in a fully furnished home nestled within the 140-acre reserve, with access to its sculpted gardens, forests, and wildlife habitats. The program is designed to foster creative thinking inspired by nature and explore the connection between humans and the environment. Each resident receives a $1,000 stipend to support their work and is encouraged to engage with the public through presentations, workshops, or other community activities. The residency is open to professional and emerging artists, composers, writers, botanists, and other creative thinkers. Participants must be 21 years or older, and the residency can accommodate only one artist at a time. The program offers an enriching experience for those looking to deepen their connection with nature and their creative practice.

I-Park

East Haddam, Connecticut, United States

I-Park, nestled within a 450-acre nature preserve in East Haddam, Connecticut, has been a sanctuary for artists since its inception in 2001 by founders Ralph Crispino, Jr., and Joanne Paradis. This rural, retreat-like residency is designed for artists across various disciplines to engage deeply with their work against the serene backdrop of nature. Offering three main residency programs—the General Residency Program, the Site-Responsive Art Residency & Biennale, and the Composers + Musicians Collaborative Residency—I-Park supports a multidisciplinary approach. Artists are provided with private bedrooms, studios, and communal spaces in a renovated 1840s farmhouse, with chef-prepared dinners five nights a week. The self-directed residencies emphasize minimal institutional demands, allowing artists the freedom to explore new ideas or continue existing projects. The surrounding landscape, featuring ponds, meadows, and trails, not only offers inspiration but also serves as a canvas for artistic interventions. With a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, I-Park invites artists from diverse backgrounds to share in this unique experience of creativity and community.

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.

MASS MoCA

North Adams, Massachusetts, United States

Assets for Artists at MASS MoCA is a dynamic residency program located in North Adams, Massachusetts, designed to support artists across various disciplines. The program provides a platform for visual artists and writers, offering studio spaces and housing on the expansive MASS MoCA campus. Applicants are accepted through an inclusive process that prioritizes equity and diversity, aiming to support artists from all career stages and backgrounds. Residencies are largely self-directed, giving artists the autonomy to focus on their creative goals in an inspiring environment. Artists can apply for general residencies, which include options for financial aid and fellowships, or specific programs like the Early Application or Alumni Application, each tailored to different needs and stages in an artist's career. The residency is committed to anti-oppression, providing a nurturing space for artists to explore and grow their work amidst the cultural richness of the Berkshires. The program is part of the broader mission of MASS MoCA to facilitate the growth of artists and the creative economy, supported by several key partnerships and funders.

Nicholson Project

Washington, DC, United States

The Nicholson Project, located in Washington, D.C., is an organization deeply committed to the role of art and design in community enhancement. Through its Artist Residency Program, it provides essential support, space, and resources for artists to engage in their studio practice and initiate onsite projects. The program is open to a wide array of creative professionals including visual artists, designers, dancers, poets, writers, chefs, gardeners, architects, engineers, and scientists, prioritizing BIPOC artists and those with ties to Southeast Washington, D.C. Residents receive a 10-week residency, a $5,000 stipend, private studio and living space, professional development opportunities, and up to $2,000 for project development. The Nicholson Project also emphasizes community engagement through open studios, artist talks, and optional Residency Projects focused on community activation. The residency application process is managed via Slideroom with a modest application fee, aiming to support, amplify, and engage artists and the local community through a multifaceted approach to artistic and community development.

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.

Ragdale

Lake Forest, Illinois, United States

Ragdale is a prestigious artist residency located in Lake Forest, Illinois, offering up to 150 residencies annually for artists across various disciplines, including dance, music, writing, and visual arts. The residency program provides 18-day residencies with individual accommodations and private workspaces on a historic campus listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Artists benefit from uninterrupted creative time, communal meals, and access to 38 acres of prairie land. Additionally, Ragdale offers Themed Residencies and Creative Sabbaticals ranging from three to six days for both groups and individual artists. These programs provide a retreat setting for focused creative work and collaboration. Applications are evaluated based on artistic excellence, and fellowships are available to support artists’ participation.

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.

Surel’s Place

Garden City, Idaho, United States

Surel’s Place offers month-long residencies to professional visual, literary, and performance artists, providing a supportive environment to focus on their work. Located in Garden City, Idaho, the residency includes a well-equipped studio and comfortable living quarters. Residents receive free rent, utilities, Wi-Fi, a modest living stipend, and a travel stipend. The program encourages artists to engage with the community through workshops and public events, fostering a deep connection with local audiences. Surel’s Place values technically advanced and conceptually valuable artwork and supports artists who seek to connect with an audience. One of the five residencies each cycle includes outreach to local schools, enhancing community involvement. The facility includes amenities such as garden spaces, a library, and bicycles for transportation. Surel’s Place emphasizes a non-smoking environment and welcomes partners but cannot accommodate children or pets.

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.