Become a MAD Artist-in-Residence
Located on the sixth floor of the Museum and open to the public, the Artist Studios at MAD is a community engagement and professional development program for contemporary artists and designers. The first program of its kind, the Artist Studios opportunity is designed to encourage visitors to meet artists-in-residence as they expand their creative practice while working on-site at MAD. Three artists (two Daily Residents and one Artist Fellow) are selected per six-month session, for which they receive access to studio space in the Museum and a stipend. Visitors are welcome to visit MAD’s Artist Studios three days each week to view works in progress and converse with the artists and designers.
The artists chosen for MAD’s Artist Studios program represent a wide range of creative practices within the fields of art, craft, and design. 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. The MAD Artist Fellowship was introduced in 2016 to support the practice of emerging NYC-based artists from historically underrepresented communities. 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, and Studio Museum, among others.
Applications will become available in Spring 2023 for the August 2023–February 2024 and February 2024–August 2024 sessions of the Artist Studios.
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 two part-time Daily Residencies per six-month session (February–July and 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 21 public “open studio” hours each week on 3 set days in which the museum public can visit. The Fellow’s weekly schedule remains set throughout the six-month residency. In addition to their 21 public “open studio” hours, Fellows are encouraged to utilize the studio space throughout the week for private studio hours. The Artist Fellow also receives a one-time unrestricted $1000 materials and mentorship stipend at the start of their residency.
The two Daily Residents receive a $5,200 stipend and share a studio space in the Museum. Daily Residents commit to 7 public “open studio” hours per week. 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 7 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 $200/week stipend when in the studios ($5,250 total over the six-month span of the residency). Each Daily Resident also receives a one-time unrestricted $500 materials and mentorship stipend at the start of their residency.
During their weekly “open studio” hours, all Artist Studios residents also welcome occasional visits from K-12 school groups (facilitated in-person and virtually by paid artist-educators) and public tour groups (facilitated in-person by volunteer docents).
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, all 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
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 meet the criteria above, and also:
- 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 Daily Residencies, 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.
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, and you will only be selected for one six-month session.
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.
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 worktable, a sink, and storage. The two Daily Residents share one studio and Fellows have their own 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 flex shaft Dremel, a drill press, 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 Daily Residencies but not for the Artist Fellowship. Collaboratives receive the same daily stipend of $200/week (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.