Become a MAD Artist-in-Residence
The Artist Studios at MAD is a community engagement and professional development program for contemporary artists and designers.
Designed to encourage visitors to ask questions, view works in progress, and gain firsthand exposure to the creative process of artists and designers, the Museum residency represents diverse artists and designers pursuing an array of experimental creative practices.The artists and designers selected participate in a wide range of virtual public programming, including open studio hours, teen art salons, and intergenerational workshops.
Established in 2008, the program has served as an important platform for more than 180 artists and designers to advance their careers and is widely recognized as an innovative model for Museum education. Alumni of the program have gone on to highly regarded careers, and after their time at MAD have proceeded to exhibit work at MAD and other major institutions, including the Queens Museum, Whitney Museum, Brooklyn Museum, Studio Museum, among others. The MAD Artist Fellowship was introduced in 2016 to support the practice of emerging NYC-based artists from historically underrepresented communities. In 2020, an exclusively virtual residency was introduced to expand the reach of the program to artists and designers across the country.
Three artists and designers are chosen on a biannual basis for the six-month residency during which they receive a stipend and studio space in the Museum on a weekly basis. In addition to their time in the studio, Artist Studios residents also participate in the Museum's education programs for all ages.
Applications for Cycle 36 of the Artist Studios will become available in Fall 2021.
To be notified about future info sessions and open calls, join the Artist Studios mailing list.
Program Structure
+The Artist Studios program offers one full-time MAD Artist Fellowship, three daily residencies, and four virtual residencies per six-month session (February–July, August–January).
The full-time MAD Artist Fellow receives a $15,000 stipend and dedicated studio space in the Museum. Fellows must commit to a weekly schedule of 20 public “open studio” hours each week, in which the museum public may visit by appointment (see application for COVID-19 safety regulations). The Fellow’s weekly schedule will be established in conjunction with MAD’s Education Department and will remain set throughout the six-month residency. In addition to the 20 public “open studio” hours during each assigned week in the Museum, the Fellow is encouraged to utilize the studio space throughout the week for private studio hours. Additionally, the Artist Fellow is required to complete at least one virtual public program each month, such as a virtual Open Studio program via Zoom.
The three daily residents rotate use of the shared studio space on a weekly basis, equating to one week in the studios each month. Residents commit to a schedule of 20 public “open studio” hours during their assigned week in the Museum, in which the museum public may visit by appointment (Thursday-Sunday, 12-5 pm; see application for COVID-19 safety regulations). The daily residents’ weekly schedule will be established in conjunction with MAD’s Education Department and will remain set throughout the six-month residency. In addition to their 20 public “open studio” hours during each assigned week in the Museum, daily residents are encouraged to utilize the studio space for private studio hours. Daily residents benefit from a $500/week stipend when in the studios ($3,250 total over the six-month span of the residency).
Virtual Residents receive a $500 monthly stipend and a $500 materials stipend in exchange for facilitating three online, one-hour programs per month. Residents must also attend virtual one-hour check-in meetings with other residents and the program manager every other week. Potential virtual programs include Digital Drop-ins and studio visits during Open Studio Hours, Teen Art Salons, Verbal Description Tours, and/or Instagram Live. All virtual residents receive online program support, training, co-facilitation, and outreach from MAD staff.
Program Benefits
+Artist Studios residents benefit from studio space and a stipend, as well as:
- Paid public programming opportunities
- Professional development and studio visits with museum staff
- Interaction with Museum visitors, generating exposure and reaching new audiences
- Continued engagement through the community of Artist Studios alumni
- Access to the Museum galleries, public programs, and exhibition openings
Program Eligibility
+Successful candidates possess a mature body of work that reveals a mastery of techniques and processes within a developed conceptual framework.
Successful applicants will also display a readiness to engage with the public, work in an open studio environment, and be an integral part of the Museum experience for visitors.
At the time of application, Artist Studios applicants:
- Must be at least twenty-one years old
- Must be a US citizen or legal resident of the US with a valid SSN or EIN
- Cannot be enrolled in a full-time degree-granting program or its equivalent
Daily Residency and Virtual Residency Eligibility
All artists are encouraged to apply. There are no eligibility requirements for the three daily resident or four virtual resident openings.
Fellowship Eligibility
The MAD Artist Fellowship is designed to support emerging artists and designers from historically underrepresented communities. Candidates for the MAD Artist Fellowship must:
- Be an emerging artist or designer with an active practice (see the FAQ section below for details). Mid-career or established artists are eligible for the Artist Studios, but not for the Artist Fellowship.
- Identify as an artist from a historically underrepresented community as determined by (for example) race/ethnicity, ability, and gender.
- Be a resident of the New York metro area.
Candidates for the MAD Artist Fellowship must meet the above criteria.
Contact marissa.passi@madmuseum.org with additional questions regarding eligibility.
FAQs
+I’m interested in applying for the MAD Artist Fellowship. How does MAD define an “emerging” artist or designer?
Emerging artists who can demonstrate a commitment to their practice are eligible to apply for the MAD Artist Fellowship. For the Fellowship opportunity, the Museum defines an “emerging” artist or designer as someone who:
- Has created a body of work that shows range during an active period of at least 2 years.
- Has not yet received a significant prize, grant, or award above $15,000.
- Does not have a considerable amount of work that has been acquired by museums and/or curated into an extensive number of solo and group exhibitions in galleries and museums.
- Is not a current full-time student, full-time tenured faculty, or its equivalent. There is no formal education requirement for the Artist Studios program, but applicants cannot be enrolled in a degree-granting program at the time of application.
Can I apply for multiple opportunities at once?
Yes, but you will only be selected for one program. Artists who are interested in applying for multiple opportunities should proceed as follows:
- Artists who are interested in applying for both the daily residency and the MAD Artist Fellowship should complete one application for the MAD Artist Fellowship and indicate their interest in the daily residency within their Fellowship application materials.
- A separate application must be submitted for the virtual residency opportunity.
Candidates applying for multiple opportunities will only be selected for one program. If you are accepted into one program, you will not be eligible for the others.
Can Artist Studios alumni apply for the residency again?
No, alumni are not eligible to reapply for either program at this time.
Is there an application fee?
No.
What is the studio space like? How much space does each artist have?
The sixth-floor studios measure roughly 150–200 square feet. Each studio has a large work table, a sink, and storage; daily residents share one studio and Fellows have a dedicated studio. Residents and Fellows share equipment and often need to enter each other’s space to access storage and tools. Storage is limited for large work.
What tools and equipment will I have access to? Can I bring my own?
Each studio has a large work table, sink, and storage. Residents and Fellows share a kiln, an enamel kiln, a floor loom, a post bed sewing machine, a flex shaft Dremel, a drill press, woodturning tools, and a variety of smaller tools. Artists can bring or store their own tools as needed.
Do you have an Internet connection?
Yes.
Do I have to be a U.S. Citizen to apply?
Artists must be citizens or legal residents of the U.S. with a valid SSN or EIN. The museum does not provide visas. Applicants must have their legal paperwork in order by the time they are interviewed, no exceptions.
Can collective or collaborative groups apply?
Collectives are eligible for the Artist Studios but not for the Artist Fellowship. Collaboratives receive the same daily stipend of $125 (individuals are not paid separately). All members of the collaborative must meet all eligibility requirements and be present for an interview.
How will my artwork be presented?
Residents and Fellows have one to three examples of their work displayed on the 6th floor at all times. This work is locked behind glass in a vitrine. Residents are featured on the Museum website and social media channels.
Does the museum pay for travel costs or provide housing stipends?
No.
If I’m selected, will I have to pay taxes on my stipend?
Yes, Artist Studios residents are one-time independent contractors and are responsible for any local, state, or federal taxes.
For any questions or concerns not addressed in the “FAQ” section, please email marissa.passi@madmuseum.org.