Become a MAD Artist-in-Residence
APPLICATIONS FOR THE ARTIST STUDIOS RESIDENCY ARE NOT BEING ACCEPTED AT THIS TIME.
Because the Museum has closed temporarily in adherence with the recommended city, state, and federal guidelines for minimizing the impact of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus), we must now adjust the 2020 scheduling of our Artists Studios program. The application process for the Spring 2021 residency cycle will open in Fall 2020.
The Artist Studios at MAD is a community engagement and professional development program for contemporary artists and designers. Located on the sixth floor of the Museum and open daily to the public, artists-in-residence expand their creative practice on-site at MAD and engage with museum visitors.
Six 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 one day a week. In addition to their time in the studio, Artist Studios residents also participate in the Museum's education programs for all ages—from the Museum’s intergenerational Studio Sunday workshops to Thursday evening drop-in workshops inspired by artist-in-residences’ current work.
The MAD Artist Fellowship was established in 2016 to support the practice of emerging New York-based artists from historically underrepresented communities. Also selected biannually, the MAD Artist Fellow receives a dedicated studio space and a $15,000 stipend to work full-time at MAD.
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 and six daily 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 which they work forty hours each week (formatted as fifteen “open studio” hours and twenty-five “closed studio” hours). Fellows are provided with additional professional development opportunities and meet regularly with a mentor in their creative field.
The six daily residents are assigned one day to work each week (Tuesday—Sunday) throughout the duration of the six-month cycle, for which they receive access to shared studio space and a stipend of $125 per studio shift. Daily residents also have the option of working a selection of Thursday evenings.
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 Eligibility
All artists are encouraged to apply. There are no eligibility requirements for the six Daily 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 to both the residency and fellowship program?
Yes, but you will only be selected for one program. Candidates are considered first for the fellowship, then the residency. If you are accepted into one program, you will not be eligible for the other.
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.